Laura Bates is an English professor from Indiana State University. Bates has a PhD. from the University of Chicago where she specialized in Shakespearean studies. Laura Bates decided to establish a teaching program in a supermax prison. While there, Bates meets a convicted murderer named Larry Newton who was kept in solitary confinement. Their unlikely relationship while studying Shakespeare is both moving and extraordinary. If you’re in the mood for an unconventional inspirational story, I recommend Shakespeare Saved My Life. Check out the unusual trailer below.
Definitely one for me to check out!
Thanks, George.
Dan, I was mesermized by SHAKESPEARE SAVED MY LIFE. A very unusual story!
Wow. Great story. I’ve known people who have taught in prison and I give them a lot of credit.
Jeff, I’ve had offers to teach in prisons over the years, but I passed on them. But reading SHAKESPEARE SAVED MY LIFE has me reconsidering…
Reminds me of a film we saw not long ago about a group of prisoners who put on Julius Caesar. And did a great job. Sad at the end when they went back into their cells and you know they could have been so much more.
Exactly, Patti. The response of the prisoners to Shakespeare shows the power of Literature.
I’ve taught in prisons, but never under these conditions. And never with that level of success.
Bill, SHAKESPEARE SAVED MY LIFE is an astonishing story. I give Laura Bates and her team a lot of credit.
This is cool. I wonder what will (did) he do once out of prison? In an environment that I assume is toxic to anything intellectual, it’s amazing that anyone wants to be taught anything requiring much real thought and study. I’ll bet he took a terrible ribbing (to use a kind word).
Rick, Laura Bates’ Shakespeare program involved several inmates with varying degrees of influence.