How to Use Dramatic Art with Youth in Juvenile Detention

Gee, an Oakland actor and dramatist will hold a talk-back about his use of drama with youth in juvenile detention.

Author Linda Norton, who is writing a book in collaboration with Peralta Hacienda about the effect of incarceration on Oakland communities under a Creative Work Fund grant, will introduce Norman and the book project.

Community member Gwen Jackson will also participate, giving her perspective as someone who was incarcerated repeatedly as a young girl in the South and found ways out of the cycle. She will reflect on how experiences like hers can affect the relationships between the community and the police in Oakland today.

This is the first of a series of events connected with Peralta Hacienda's "Home and Away" exhibit on the effect of incarceration in this community, which also involves Holly Alonso who is creating the exhibit's audio component, and Jeff Norman, graphic artist.

Norton and community members have created collages to form the visual display, which will grow through public response throughout the year. Following the presentation on Nov 21, the audience will be invited to add their own written and visual responses for the exhibit.

"I got involved in Each One Reach One...I came in as an actor to read the pieces the young women in juvenile detention had written. I did it, it was amazing. We did a 'feelback' afterwards. No judgment, but what are the emotions you feel in that story?. Wow! The tears that come from all the family members in that room. Here was someone that had been thrown away and she is this gem."

---quote from StoryCorps interview with Norman Gee, actor and dramatist, educator at Peralta Hacienda Historical Park