This is YEAR 10 for A.R.C.- Artists' Rehabilitation Coalition, operated by Lara Mielcarek, a theatre artist in Cleveland, Ohio. Lara is not affiliated with any non-profit and is thrilled to be represented under the Fractured Atlas umbrella for the first time this year. She's just a single artist/educator that goes to NERC (the women's prison) once or twice a week, putting acting classes and performances together for and with the inmates, and involving as many interested Cleveland artists as possible.
These incarcerated women have said amazing things about their experience with A.R.C.. The goal is to give them a sense of escape from their obvious confines, as well as the less obvious confines of an identity dictated by their past. When they feel the power of playing characters with fascinating points of view, and when they feel the strength of working in an ensemble, something truly magical occurs.
Past productions have included: Macbeth, Twelfth Night, Romeo and Juliet,  The Good Woman of Szechwan, and many many more. We are approaching our third annual A Christmas Carol- the greatest joy of our year.
*If you are in Cleveland, please email Lara if you'd like to receive an invitation to the show on 12/23. The address is in the website listed at the bottom.
Any and all donation money has never gone to paying anyone for their volunteer work. Instead it goes straight to the betterment of the lives of the incarcerated women. Examples include: "Actor" tee shirts, scripts, costumes and props, the annual gift of journals, and hats and gloves when needed. Otherwise funds are used to help newly released inmates from the program. That help has come in the form of: work shoes, grocery orders, delivering large donated items via UHaul, and more wonderful gifts of service and small help to get folks back on their feet, feeling loved and supported.
Thank you for your consideration!
arcbehindbars.com