Residents of Shakespeare at San Quentin performed Love’s Labors Lost to an audience of nearly 80 people in Chapel B.

Co-director Suraya Keating has been teaching at San Quentin since 2005. She said the program gives incarcerated individuals a chance to recognize violence and crime using artistic expression. She said she hopes performance arts can have an impact on the flawed criminal justice system.

“I do it because I have always been committed to having some kind of positive impact on the world,” said Keating. “The aim of the program is to bring opportunities to people who are incarcerated to build a sense of self-esteem in recognition of their capacity as humans.”

Residents in the Shakespeare at San Quentin program said the group teaches individuals how to explore their authentic selves through performance arts. The program, which started in 2004 expanded to 14 other detention facilities in California. The Marin Shakespeare Company works with Returned Citizens Theatre Troupe and formerly incarcerated actors to share stories through theatre.

The comedic play, performed in front of an audience of around 30 outside guest and 50 incarcerated persons. The audience watched intently while laughing throughout the performance. Resident Gabriel Moctezuma, who played Biron, a Lord and the King’s friend in the play said the process from planning to live performance was around five months long.

“When I play a character, I try to embody the character fully. After reading this part, it just spoke to me,” said Moctezuma. “There is something so incredible about being in that moment.”

Resident and performer Gilberto Rios is a first time performer and said his motivation was boredom. Rios played one of the French townsfolk and said his encouragement to get involved in the theatre program came from his friend Jamie Saputo, who also performed as one of the French townsfolk.

“It’s fun, exciting, and entertaining,” said Rios. “I’m an outgoing person already, so I am not nervous about performing today.”

In the play, King Ferdinand, played by resident Kelon Williams stood with three friends who swore to spend the next three years studying to make the city of Navarre, France “the wonder of the world.”

After the men signed a decree that forbid them from pursuing women, they faced a challenge as the Princess of France, played by resident Brady Godoy arrived with three additional female friends Rosaline, played by resident Angie Gordon; Maria, played by resident Aaron Zendejas; and Katherine, played by resident Jooty Johnson. The women visited the city of Navarre to discuss ownership of a different providence.

The king’s decree said that the women had to sleep outside the walls of the palace. However, the men had trouble keeping their oath because the women infatuated them. At the same time, a young townsman named Costard, played by resident Rahim Bradshaw ended up being arrested by the Constable, played by resident Sam Kazzouh, for talking to Jacquenetta, a young townswoman, played by Keating.

During a portion of the play, iconic performers like Prince, played by Navion Starks, Snoop Dogg, played by Montrice Maize, Taylor Swift, played by Angie Gordon, and Elvis Presley, entertained the king.

Longaville, a Lord and the King’s friend, played by Darwin Billingsley said he never experienced Shakespeare before prison. He said getting involved helped him recognize his talent and find his authentic self.

“Suraya Keating magically pulled me into a performance called Richard the Second, in which I played a gardener,” said Billingsley. After performing in Comedy of Errors, a comedic play about twin brothers separated at birth, Billingsley recognized his love for theatre and performing. “I was never exposed to these types of programs growing up, so I never knew I enjoyed it, but by getting involved I learned that I am talented.” 

Towards the middle of the play, the king and his men decided that love was the best kind of learning. The men sent gifts and letters, of which they disguised themselves as Russians, in order to woo and win over the princess and ladies.

The audience gave a standing ovation at the end of the performance as the entire room sang, “We Are the Champions” in unison.