​ Formerly Incarcerated People’s Performance Project

Developing and presenting the stories of those impacted by incarceration and the justice system
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Directed and produced by Mark Kenward, with co-direction by Rebecca Fisher, Wayne Harris and Mark McGoldrick, FIPPP features formerly incarcerated performers telling stories about their life experiences.  FIPPP held our first festival with performers Tony Cyprien, Freddy Lee Johnson, Pamela Anne Keane, Pearl Louise, Pastor Ronnie Muniz and Al Sasser at PianoFight Oakland in October 2021.  We held a Summer Workshop Performance series in May 2022 with Freddy Lee Johnson, Pamela Ann Keane, Pearl Louise and new FIPPP performer, Scott Schell, on stage. And we held our Power of Storytelling in October 2022  and will be back with our full festival back at PianoFight Oakland in January 2023! Stay tuned! 

Hearing stories from those who have been incarcerated fosters compassion and understanding about the circumstances and choices that led them to incarceration, what they endured and learned inside, and the hard won success of their lives after incarceration. Their stories give hope for the human condition and our ability to reform and reinvent ourselves, as well as giving us the opportunity as a society to reconsider the inhumane conditions that prisoners often endure. Each of them brings to this project previous experience as a performer, writer, and/or public speaker, in addition to their inspiring work of now helping others deal with issues of reentry, substance abuse, housing and homelessness. 

This project is funded in part by a Theater Bay Area CA$H grant, the Ronald Whittier Family Foundation and donors who enjoy the work. We were pleased to receive a grant from the Alameda County Arts Commission Arts Fund in 2022. 
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"It takes courage and resilience to not only endure, what each of them has gone through, to make profound changes in their lives, and then to find meaningful work where they are making a difference in other people’s lives. But also to now step out on stage and tell their individual, unique stories." - Mark Kenward

Read an  article about the FIPPP rehearsal process, written by Michael Healy for publication In Oakland Magazine before COVID-19 unfortunately forced the magazine to suspend operations

Read Article

Join our FIPPP mailing list to be the first in the know about our call for new performers, our 2022-2023 shows at PianoFight and general goings on! Any general questions? Drop us a line at soloperformanceconservatory@gmail.com!

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​JEDI Statement

At FIPPP, we recognize the existence and impact of systemic racism, socioeconomic disparities, and educational inequities that have disproportionately affected our most vulnerable communities. We honor diverse perspectives and our mission is to raise the voices of those that are not traditionally heard to promote justice, equity, diversity, and inclusivity (JEDI) and greater understanding. We embrace people of all backgrounds, cultures, and life experiences both on our stage, behind the scenes and out performances.
 
As an organization, we believe in creating equitable, diverse, and inclusive environments where all of our performers, directors, contractors, staff, and audiences are valued, heard, respected, and empowered. We allow everyone to have a voice in how we work with each other and take collective responsibility in creating an environment where everyone feels included, respected, and comfortable in bringing their whole self to our rehearsals and performances. 
 
These JEDI principles allow us to promote shared humanity and to develop insight and compassion to others' lived experiences, which will hopefully help dispel racism, xenophobia, and prejudice and unite communities.

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