Sing Sing prison theatre group: How acting gave us a future
John 鈥楧ivine G鈥� Whitfield and Clarence 鈥楧ivine Eye鈥� Maclin were incarcerated in a maximum security prison when they started putting on plays, and began to change their lives.
Before being incarcerated at the notorious Sing Sing maximum security prison, John 鈥楧ivine G鈥� Whitfield dreamt of becoming a professional dancer and attended a prestigious performing arts school. However his aspirations were shattered when he was convicted of homicide and sentenced to 25 years to life for the crime he swears he didn鈥檛 commit. Clarence 鈥楧ivine Eye鈥� Maclin had a troubled upbringing, frequently clashing with the law before receiving a 20-year sentence for armed robbery.
In prison Divine G and some other inmates decided to put on a play and formed a small theatre group. This marked the beginning of 鈥楻ehabilitation Through the Arts鈥� (RTA), a remarkable initiative that offered camaraderie and a sense of escape from daily prison life. Their work became the inspiration for Hollywood film 鈥楽ing Sing鈥� which features many former RTA members, including Divine Eye, who returned to prison to portray a younger version of himself, highlighting the transformative impact the group had on his life.
Presenter: Jo Fidgen
Producer: Eric Mugaju and Thomas Harding Assinder
Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com or WhatsApp +44 330 678 2707
(Photo: Breakin' the Mummy's Code Cast 2005. Credit: 漏 Brent Buell 2005, All Rights Reserved)
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