![]() The stage was in a corner of the prison yard, and the players’ voices echoed back from the windows of the death cell in a gaunt five-story building.”Īs the play was ready to begin, and the general population inmates had been seated, “nine cell doors clanked open and as many men, condemned to death, clattered down the iron stairs and lined up at the foot with George Figueroa, a youth who is to die for the murder of his wife in Los Angeles, at the head. “The play, which dealt with a convict’s struggle for reformation, was presented on a convict-built stage, with scenery painted by convicts, and draperies of prison-made jute. The Governor’s wife also attended the performance. ![]() The play was “Alias Jimmy Valentine,” brought into the institution by Warden John Hoyle. ![]() This is the first instance of the sort in history,” reported the Sacramento Union, October 9, 1911. “In the literal shadow of the death cell, a regularly organized theatrical company presented its standard play today to 1,855 prisoners of San Quentin penitentiary. Performance focused on rehabilitation for SQ inmates ![]() You can also read our earlier story on the play. One widely published news story mentioned three by name but gave no details. In 1911, arts as a rehabilitative tool was introduced for the first time at San Quentin State Prison (SQ), with many inmates attending. ![]()
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