INSIDE /// OUT

by Deborah Tobola

Central Coast audiences will witness a unique marriage in December: the happy union of a 500-year-old art form with cutting edge social justice theatre.

For the first time, Poetic Justice Project will present a Commedia Dell’Arte play, INSIDE /// OUT, which offers a comedic look at the criminal justice system. Commedia Dell’Arte is a style of masked, improvisational slapstick comedy that dates back to 16th Century Italy. It is physically, emotionally and intellecutally demanding.

INSIDE /// OUT follows character Damian from prosecution to prison to parole as he wears whatever mask he needs to survive. Damian is saved by the love of a good woman, and by his determination to never return to prison.

The irreverent comedy was co-created by director Gale McNeeley and actors Leonard Flippen, Jorge Manly Gil, Janet Guess, Nick Homick, and Caroline Taylor-Hitch. Poetic Justice Project actors have all been incarcerated—in prison, jail or juvenile facilities. Most have no previous theatre experience when they come to PJP.

Gale McNeeley is a graduate of the Neighborhood Playhouse in New York City, the Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre and Scuola Internazionale Dell’Attore Comico in Italy. A union actor for 43 years, he has appeared on Broadway in TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA and CYRANO, and at regional theatres on both coasts.

Gayle has been a professor of movement at dozens of schools, including the University of Pittsburgh, U.S.C., Cal Arts, Humboldt State University, Pacific Conservatory of the Performing Arts and the Amsterdam School of the Arts.

"After 56 years in the theatre, the performers of the Poetic Justice Project have awoken all my creative talents. Their passion, intelligence, heart and soul are truly inspiring. Together, I now believe, anything is possible,” he says.

INSIDE /// OUT shows Friday, December 5 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 6 at 3 p.m. at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 1344 Nipomo Street, San Luis Obispo.

On Sunday, December 7 at 3 p.m., there is one performance at Niche Theater at Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Church, 820 N. Fairview Avenue, Goleta.

On Friday, December 12 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, December 13 at 3 p.m., INSIDE /// OUT will be performed at Unity Chapel of Light, 1165 Stubblefield Road, Santa Maria.

Suggested donation for all shows is $15 for adults and $10 for students. No one will be turned away. You may reserve your attendance at Eventbrite.

INSIDE /// OUT’s sponsors include Unity Chapel of Light, Live Oak Unitarian Universalist Congregation Social Justice Ministry, Santa Barbara Friend Meeting (Quakers), Alternatives to Violence Project Workshops and Catholic Church of the Beatitudes. Ongoing support for Poetic Justice Project has come from the Fund for Santa Barbara.

Poetic Justice Project is the only theatre company in the state comprised of formerly incarcerated actors appearing in plays that examine crime, punishment and redemption. Based in Santa Maria, the project was founded in 2009. It is a program of the award-winning William James Association, which provides arts instruction to prisoners, people on parole and probation, and youth at risk of incarceration.

INSIDE /// OUT cast and director, from left, standing, Caroline Taylor-Hitch, Nick Homick, Janet Guess; kneeling, Leonard Flippen, Gale McNeeley, Jorge Manly Gil. Photo by Inga McCullough.

Cast of INSIDE /// OUT