PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Second Street Second Chances ("2nd Street"), in collaboration with The Foundry, a multi-disciplinary performance venue based in West Stockbridge, presents "RECLAIM," an original work-in-progress theater piece.

 

Performances, all free and open to the public, will be held at Berkshire Community College's Robert Boland Theatre located at 1350 West Street in Pittsfield on Monday, Aug. 18 at 7 p.m.; Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 2 p.m.; and Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 7 p.m. An audience talk-back will be held after each performance.

 

The hour-long piece of devised theater was created and directed by Amy Brentano, artistic producing director of The Foundry, and Sara Katzoff, a freelance theater director. 

 

Five professional actors tell stories through movement, music and spoken word. Performances are created from approximately 20 hours of transcribed interviews with relatives and/or close friends of justice involved members of the Second Street Second Chances community and others. 

 

These interviews, facilitated by 2nd Street Executive Director Lindsay Cornwell and other staff, focus on how 2nd Street’s close relationship with families and loved ones of currently or formerly incarcerated individuals has shaped their perspectives and experiences.

 

"I continue to be moved by the stories families entrust us with," Cornwell said. "They speak honestly about the heartbreak, the hope and the resilience it takes to support someone through incarceration and reentry. These voices matter deeply — and their stories deserve to be heard."

 

"RECLAIM" is the third in a series of productions. It follows "REPAIR," a 2024 production telling the stories of formerly incarcerated men, and "RELEASE," a 2023 production that focused on the stories of formerly incarcerated women.

 

"RECLAIM" seeks to raise awareness of how incarceration affects not only the incarcerated individual, but also their families, friends, colleagues and loved ones. According to the directors, the intention is to powerfully uplift and honor the lives of those who have experienced incarceration from inside and outside the system, and the stories have been gathered and treated with respect and dignity, stated a press release.

 

Rehearsals with actors began in June at The Foundry and run through mid-August. Videographer Keith Foreman is documenting the creative process and will ultimately deliver a full-length film capturing how the piece comes to life and impacts the community though compelling, emotionally charged performances.