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 “In My Shoes” integrates movement, spoken word and song and is performed with warmth and wit by six women who have reentered Connecticut communities from York Correctional Institution. Two are members of Women on Our Own, a singing-spoken word group that electrified audiences at the 2013 Hartford appearance of Piper Kerman (author of “Orange is the New Black: My Year in a Women’s Prison,” inspiration of the popular Netflix series). All of these women are sojourners towards new, rewarding lives. They are joined by the Ensemble of the Judy Dworin Performance Project, which has won multiple awards in its 25 year history. 

Few have had the opportunity to see the work that Judy Dworin Performance Project develops with women inside the York prison compound in Niantic. Governor Dannel P. Malloy did last summer, and said to those serving time, “In your writings, in your speech, in your dance, in your overall performance—you reflect the humanity that is within each of you and within a broader society… Congratulations on your success in this performance.”

A post-performance talk led by Dworin with the performers will invite audience questions and discussion of criminal and social justice, strengths-based intervention programs in penitentiaries, and the role of the arts as agents of change. 

Dworin’s dance-theater works are known for compelling social commentary and warm humanism. Cutting across boundaries of gender, geography, and governmental decree, she testifies for those whose voices have been stilled or muted by history and social injustice. While presenting challenging and difficult questions, her dance-theater works convey inspiring stories of perseverance, transcendence, and hope.

This performance is being brought to WCSU through a grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts as well as Western’s Ancell School of Business.  The incredible performance was recently held at Berkshire Community College in Pittsfield, MA and at Springfield College, Springfield, MA.

Any questions about the upcoming performance can be answered by Marilyn Kain at kainm@wcsu.edu.