Osborn Minimum Security Correctional Facility, 1970 - 1971

The Black Experience in the Arts featured 2 performances by inmates of the Osborn Minimum Security Correctional Facility. The groups performed 11/16/1970 (2015-0002/RR251) and 12/7/1971 (2015-0002/RR7).

RR 7 A melange of music, monologues, one-act scenes, and spoken word performances. None of the speakers are identified individually but several of the performers spoke before their performance and described prison as a place for questioning and a confrontation with oneself's self. The theaterical performances include discussions of prison life and racial and social problems that plague American society. While most of the one-act scenes are dramas, there are a few lighter performances which generated significant laughter from the students. On a technical note, there is a noticable hum that can be heard throughout the recording.

RR 251 The Osborn inmates are participants in a drama workshop under the direction of Professors Linda Seagrave and Michael Gregoric of the UConn Theatre department. The workshop is part of the University program of continuing education in live arts for the correctional institutions of New England. Performance about being Black, being in prison and being and artist. The performance was a broadcast from the prison.