AHOS - All Hands on Stage

ALL HANDS ON STAGE (AHOS) is a European cooperation project between six partner organizations and prisons in five countries. The project aims to revolutionize the way prisons view culture as a sector of work, using theater work as an example. It is being carried out in collaboration with Sommerblut Kulturfestival e.V., the Italian Teatro dei Venti, the organization aufBruch (Berlin), the Polish partner Fundacja Jubilo, the Institute for Performing Arts and Social Work from Serbia, and Fabrica Athens (Greece). Prisoners in AHOS - All Hands On AHOS - All Hands On AHOS - All Hands On prisons in all partner countries (Germany, Serbia, Italy, Greece, Poland) will be trained in theater work (as actors or behind the scenes in the areas of technology, stage design, etc.). In addition to theater productions with live audiences in all prisons, a continuous international exchange of knowledge and expertise between the partner countries will be guaranteed throughout the entire project period: The artistic directors will hold mutual guest visits in the countries to learn about the working methods of the other partners. A handbook for theater professionals and prisons will be created at the European level to provide other interested organizations with guidelines for establishing “prison theater.” In addition to theater productions with live audiences in all prisons, a continuous international exchange of knowledge and expertise between the partner countries will be guaranteed throughout the entire project period: The artistic directors will hold mutual guest visits in the countries to learn about the working methods of the other partners. A handbook for theater professionals and prisons will be created at the European level to provide other interested organizations with guidelines for establishing “prison theater.” In addition, regular information and networking events are planned to present the project, its approach, and its vision. Another important aspect of the international project is that artistic professions (in addition to conventional work) will be established as an integral part of prison life, as well as support for the reintegration of former prisoners after their release.  Here, all partner organizations will arrange jobs or internships in the respective countries in artistic fields and support the former prisoners in their integration into everyday working life, acting as mentors. The project will run for approximately two years (August 2023 - September 2025). The performance will be presented as part of the Sommerblut Festival in May 2024 and, if applicable, in 2025.

Project objectives:

- Improving social inclusion in/through culture

- Creation of a project database: list of companies/artists who are active in the field of prison theater and can share their expertise

- Raising awareness among theater audiences, prison staff, and project participants of the importance of this new approach to theater, which is significant not only for individual inmates but for society as a whole

- Development and implementation of performances

- Creation of a pilot project

Partners:

- aufBruch - Berlin (Germany)

- Kolektyw Kobietostan – Wroclaw (Poland)

- CRI - Institute for Performative Arts and Social Work - Belgrade (Serbia)

- Sommerblut Kulturfestival e.V. - Cologne (Germany)

- Fabrica Athens – Athens (Greece) 

In May 2024, our theater project premiered at the Ossendorf correctional facility.
HALT, directed by Elisabeth Pleß, impressively demonstrated how creative, rewarding, and moving work in correctional facilities can be.

With HALT, we visited the Cologne-Ossendorf correctional facility for the fourth time. The performers from the prison brought what moves them to the stage. It was about security and warmth, about setting boundaries and freeing oneself in bondage.
Powerful, original texts accompanied by live music opened doors: Elisabeth Pleß (director) and her team, as well as Reza Askari (musical director), presented different perspectives in an emotionally charged theater performance. It was an intense mix of music, movement, and words—far beyond classical theater.