Before ‘Sing Sing’ the movie: The untold story of King and C-Note’s prison theater journey

by Darealprisonart 

Before “Sing Sing” the movie brought the transformative power of prison theater to the big screen, an equally compelling, yet largely overlooked story was unfolding within California’s prison system. This story centers on two remarkable individuals – Minister King X (aka  Pyeface) and Donald “C-Note” Hooker – whose artistic collaboration behind bars revolutionized prison theater in the 2010s. Under the tutelage of Juilliard-trained theater veteran Leah Joki, King and C-Note not only found their creative voices but also empowered countless others through their groundbreaking work. This is the story of their journey, a story that predates the narrative showcased in “Sing Sing” and one that offers a profound testament to the power of art to transform lives in the darkest of places.

The mentor and the men: Leah Joki’s prison theater influence

Leah Joki’s name is synonymous with the world of prison theater. She spent over 30 years cultivating programs that offer incarcerated individuals an outlet for expression and personal transformation. Author of “Juilliard to Jail,” Joki had a profound impact on those she worked with, particularly King and C-Note. Her vision was clear: Give incarcerated individuals the tools to tell their stories and the platform to share them with the world. Joki’s mentorship laid the foundation for the collaboration between King and C-Note, guiding them through a journey that would leave a lasting impact on both the prison system and the theater world.

For King, this journey began with his participation in the 2018 prison play “Lost and Found,” co-created with Joki. The play explored the complex emotions surrounding identity, loss and redemption, drawing heavily from the experiences of those behind bars. Joki’s direction and King’s raw talent resulted in a production that resonated far beyond the prison walls. Shortly after his release, King continued his work with Joki, joining the cast of the virtual play “Family and Addiction” during the COVID-19 pandemic, proving that his artistic impact could extend into the outside world.

C-Note’s ‘Redemption in Our State of Blues’

Meanwhile, in the California State Prison Los Angeles County in Lancaster, another prison theater revolution was quietly unfolding. C-Note, an incarcerated artist and advocate, found his creative spark through the play “Redemption in Our State of Blues,” a production that echoed the powerful message of transformation seen in “Sing Sing.” In fact, “Redemption” became a pivotal moment not only for C-Note’s development as an artist but also for the entire prison theater movement in California.

“Redemption in Our State of Blues,” performed entirely by incarcerated individuals, tackled themes of love, community and the possibility of redemption even in the bleakest circumstances. The production opened with C-Note’s “Birth of a Salesman,” a clever riff on Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman,” setting the stage for a performance that challenged societal stereotypes about incarcerated people. C-Note’s leadership on the project broke down racial and gang tensions, creating a sense of unity among the diverse cast members.

This theatrical feat garnered significant attention from the outside world. The encore performance in 2016 attracted local politicians, dignitaries and even Hollywood elites like producer Scott Budnick and actor Joe Manganiello. “Redemption” also sparked a groundbreaking re-entry program, “Break It to Make It,” offering education and employment opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals. C-Note’s work behind bars, much like the characters in “Sing Sing,” demonstrated the power of art to foster rehabilitation and personal growth.

King and C-Note: The road to ‘I Stand2 Vote’ and beyond

C-Note’s artistic journey didn’t stop at “Redemption.” In 2019, he teamed up with King to co-write the political play “I Stand2 Vote,” a powerful work advocating for the restoration of voting rights to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated individuals. “I Stand2 Vote” takes place in the California State Assembly, where advocates on both sides debate the issue of allowing prisoners to regain their voting franchise. The play not only made waves behind bars but also resonated outside the prison system. King, upon his release, staged “I Stand2 Vote” at the inaugural Ratcliff Awards in December 2019, marking the start of a new chapter in his life as an advocate for social change.

King’s passion for voter rights took him far beyond the theater stage. He lobbied California lawmakers in support of Proposition 17, a ballot initiative to restore voting rights for people who had completed their prison terms. King’s role in the passage of Prop 17 in 2020 – by placing door hangers on 10,000 homes during the COVID-19 pandemic – earned him recognition as a modern-day civil rights hero. His work was immortalized in the article “The Juneteenth Superheroes” and in his classic Hip-Hop track “I Stand2 Vote,” used as the theme song for the 2020 elections.

‘Abolish It’: King and C-Note’s inside-out collaboration

In 2021, King and C-Note’s partnership took on a new form with the release of their short film “Abolish It,” a pre– “Sing Sing” story that sheds light on their time together behind bars and their shared belief in the transformative power of theater. This film marked their first true inside-out collaboration, showing the world that their contributions to prison theater were far from over. “Abolish It” was featured in the interactive online exhibition “Art on Abolition,” bringing their story to a wider audience and further solidifying their legacies as artist-activists.

The untold story: a legacy of hope and redemption

Before “Sing Sing” the movie highlighted the importance of prison theater, King and C-Note were already living that reality. Their work behind bars, nurtured by Leah Joki’s mentorship, challenged societal preconceptions about incarcerated individuals and proved that art could be a powerful vehicle for change. Through their respective plays and collaborations, King and C-Note broke down barriers, built bridges, and left a lasting impact on the prison theater movement.

Their story, while lesser-known than the cinematic portrayal in “Sing Sing,” serves as a crucial chapter in the broader narrative of prison theater’s ability to rehabilitate and transform. As we look back at the stories told within “Sing Sing” and “Redemption in Our State of Blues,” it becomes clear that these productions aren’t just about second chances for the incarcerated; they are about the boundless potential of the human spirit to find hope and redemption, even in the most challenging of circumstances.

King and C-Note’s journey is a testament to that enduring truth – before “Sing Sing” the movie, there was an artistic revolution that began in the prison cells of California, led by two visionaries determined to use their talents to change the world.

Darealprisonart is the largest multimedia source of prisoner news and art across multiple web platforms. Email darealprizonart@gmail.com.

For BayView Digital Readers, Here’s the Short Film (10:00) “Abolish It”

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Source: https://sfbayview.com/2024/11/before-sing-sing-the-movie-the-untold-story-of-king-and-c-notes-prison-theater-journey/