Co-Direction, Choreography, Dramaturgy & Lead Design by Julie Rada
Co-Direction by Ashley Hamilton
Produced by the University of Denver Prison Arts Initiative
Written by Dale Wasserman, adapted from the novel by Ken Kesey
Sterling Correctional Facility, Sterling, Colorado
Limon Correctional Facility, Limon, Colorado
Denver Women’s Correctional Facility, Denver, Colorado
August — September 2019
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"One flew East, one flew West, an' one flew over the cuckoo's nest." This classic play was reimagined for an incarcerated cast and crew at Sterling Correctional Facility and fully produced and performed over several weeks. The rehearsal process was approximately six months and included discussion of mental health, institutionalization, and resilience.
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Thirty Colorado inmates staged “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” for nearby prisons. For some, it was the first time in years they were outside 20-foot walls and razor fences.
Sterling Correctional Facility inmates performed "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" across the state
Douglas L. Micco as Chief Bromden in "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," produced by the DU Prison Arts Initiative and inmates at the Sterling Correctional Facility, performed Monday Sept. 10 2019 at the Denver Women's Correctional Facility.
in "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," produced by the DU Prion Arts Initiative and unmates at the Sterling Correctional Facility, performed Monday Sept. 10 2019 at the Denver Women's Correctional Facility.
DENVER, CO - September 10: Inmate Michael Clifton, center, is in prisoner production of the play "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" at Denver Women's Correctional Facility. September 10, 2019. The University of Denver Prison Arts Initiative and the Department of Corrections recently signed an unprecedented three-year agreement to bring arts programming to every prison in Colorado. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Brett Phillips plays Randle McMurphy in "One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest," produced by the DU Prison Arts Initiative and unmates at the Sterling Correctional Facility, performed Monday Sept. 10 2019 at the Denver Women's Correctional Facility.
DENVER, CO - September 10: Douglas Micco, front top, and Brett Phillips, front bottom, are in prisoner production of the play "One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest" at Denver Women's Correctional Facility. September 10, 2019. The University of Denver Prison Arts Initiative and the Department of Corrections recently signed an unprecedented three-year agreement to bring arts programming to every prison in Colorado. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
DENVER, CO - September 10: The team for the prisoner production of the play "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" huddle before starting the show at Denver Women's Correctional Facility on Sept. 10, 2019. The University of Denver Prison Arts Initiative and the Department of Corrections recently signed a three-year agreement to bring arts programming to every prison in Colorado. (Photo by Hyoung Chang/The Denver Post)
Performed by an incarcerated cast from Sterling Correctional Facility, Grady Hicks, Ashley Hamilton, and Reanna Magruder.
Stage Management and all Design by incarcerated designers and crew members at Sterling Correctional Facility, with leadership and primary facilitation by Julie Rada.
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Photo credit: Trent Davis Bailey, The New York Times; Hyoung Chang, The Denver Post; Hart Van Denburg, CPR News