13 Years Since Our Founder’s First Prison Theatre Project: A Journey of Transformation with Unlock Drama
Thirteen years ago, our founder Rebecca Boden stepped into her first-ever Theatre in Prison project during her MA in Applied Theatre. That transformative experience ignited a passion for using theatre to make a difference—one that still drives Unlock Drama’s mission today.
Rebecca’s early experience revealed the powerful, untapped potential of theatre to transform lives behind bars. It was more than a placement; it was the spark that led her to create Unlock Drama CIC, an organisation dedicated to changing lives through the power of applied theatre. Since then, Unlock Drama has reached 47 prisons UK-wide—and counting!
The Magic of Prison Theatre
Theatre in prison is unlike anything else. It creates a space where individuals—often written off by society—are seen, heard, and valued. It allows participants to reflect on their choices, develop empathy, and find hope. This unique combination of creative expression, personal development, and social impact is what makes applied theatre so special.
Prison Theatre empowers participants to:
✅ Build communication and teamwork skills
✅ Gain confidence and self-esteem
✅ Learn to manage emotions constructively
✅ Challenge negative cycles of behaviour
✅ Develop empathy and understanding for victims and others affected by crime
The Birth of Unlock Drama
After graduating, Rebecca founded Unlock Drama in 2014 with a mission: to harness the transformative power of theatre to break cycles of offending and reoffending. Having witnessed first-hand how powerful theatre could be—not just for audiences, but for the people bravely sharing their stories—she committed herself to using applied theatre as a tool for rehabilitation and social change.
Since then, Unlock Drama has delivered projects in adult male and female prisons, youth offender institutions, and community settings. We work with participants on topics including substance misuse, mental health, violence reduction, and restoring family ties. Every project is tailored to the specific needs of the group, making our work flexible and highly impactful.
Lives Changed, Futures Transformed
Over the years, we’ve witnessed countless stories of transformation. People who once felt hopeless discovering they have potential. Participants who had never experienced positive praise gaining the confidence to speak up. Families reconnecting because of the self-awareness and personal growth achieved through our projects.
One participant shared:
“I had an epiphany. I am no longer going to take drugs. This course has made me realise I have potential. I am hoping this course will be the one thing I remember and look back on as the thing that changed my life.”
Another recounted:
“I’ve committed knife crime before, but never saw it from the victim’s point of view. After this course, I managed to see things from their perspective and reflected on the impact of violence on everyone.”
These testimonials remind us why this work is so important.
The Road Ahead
Rebecca remains grateful every day for the magic of Prison Theatre and the light it brings—not only to her life, but to the countless lives reformed and changed by applied theatre. Unlock Drama continues to champion rehabilitation and creative recovery in the criminal justice system, advocating for the power of purposeful activity to create safer communities.
Here’s to another 13 years of change, growth, and hope—and many more to come.
Get Involved
To learn more about Unlock Drama, explore our projects, or discuss opportunities for collaboration, visit www.unlockdrama.com or email rebecca@unlockdrama.com.
Together, we can unlock potential, change futures, and inspire hope.
