Dance in Prisons 92ndY MovementTalks

Dance in Prisons: Confinement vs. Freedom, What is It?  "Can Anything Good Come out of Prison?" The talk/performance @ the 92ndY last night was an emotionally powerful & indelible testament to the physical, emotional, spiritual & intellectual transformation art exudes as a catalyst for change.  Incarceration is the confinement of an individual away from society.  A prisoner retains the freedom of choice; to WANT to make changes in his life to reconnect with humanity.  Andre Noel, a former inmate, is the Dir. of Figures in Flight Released (FiFR), a dance company comprised of released prisoners.  Andre, raised in an inner city, single parent home, succumbed to the lifestyle of fast money from criminal activity.  Arrested at 17 and sentenced to 13 years, midway through his term, Noel chose to seek a means to break the cycle of criminal activity & recidivism.  He decided to enroll in Human  Service programs.  Andre also saw his 1st  ever dance performance.  The dance program is sponsored by Rehabilitation Through the Arts (RTA), taught by choreographer, Susan Slotnick and comprised of fellow inmates.  Andre was so moved by what he saw  he knew he had to become part of the group.  The dance "Figures in Flight #5" "mirrored my life," said Noel, "it gave me an outlet for my emotions."  Andre & a small company comprised of released dancers performaned with magnificent power & grace.  They maintained the freedom to express themselves through dance provided them opportunities for building life skills.  Being part of the dance group paved the way to integrate back with their family and society. "Susan taught us to be in the present, to pay attention" said Andre.  "To pay attention is to give love."  Andre, the dancers & the RTA Dir. had my attention, respect & admiration. Can anything good come out of prison?  Yes, RTA clearly attests to this.