In a world that feels shadowed in darkness, a bright light shone from York Correctional Institution with the three performances of ‘With these Hands’ culminating the JDPP York Performance Residency on July 9 & 10. The 12 women participants created incredibly inspiring narratives, songs and dances under the guidance and direction of Judy Dworin and her terrific team of Lisa Matias, Tracy Lombardo, and Angela Luna Grano. A newcomer to the residency, visual artist Jac Lahav, helped to create the scenic backdrop and environment for the piece. He and the women participants did themselves proud as collages of brightly colored hand imagery framed the monochromatic space.

There was a sense of joy, hope, regret, despair and huge resiliency as the piece journeyed through a collage of metaphors about hands and the stories they evoke. The audience leapt to their feet at the end of the less-than-an-hour show with a burst of shouts and applause of total appreciation. Families beamed and cried as they saw their loved ones transform into charismatic performers sharing their truths and perceptions about life past, present, and future. Native American prayer chants offered a sense of spirit as the women invited the audience to be a voice for the betterment of the world as they themselves aspire to be. Songs had the audience cheering and clapping to their contagious rhythms while dances performed by the cast moved everyone into the body and movement as a space for expression, connection, longing, societal change, positive energy, and pure fun.

It was a capstone to our almost 20 years at York and an inspirational moment for all. We thank Warden Sexton and the York administration for their consistent support in making this happen. The process may have offered some challenges along the way but everyone persisted with dedication and determination and the result surpassed any expectations.

Memorable moments: the first time ever the audience requested an encore of the ending song, and when the performers had a long wait between shows on Tuesday, they invented a game of Pictionary where the cast was challenged to guess certain lines in the script. And they did—a fabulous extension of their creative invention.

A comment from an audience member and funder: “So, congratulations to you all.  I never tire of the emotional power these performances generate. I am always too stripped bare at the end to even speak. You rock my soul.”

And from a performer, “There are no words to describe the importance of this program in my life.”

This wonderful project was supported by Common Sense Fund, Community Foundation of Eastern CT, Diebold Foundation, General William Mayer Foundation, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, & State of CT DECD Office of the Arts.