Mark Brazaitis, a professor in the Department of English and the director of the Creative Writing Program, collaborated with imprisoned people in Appalachia to publish a documentary play about life behind bars titled “Dark Shadows.”
To create the play, Brazaitis requested letters via the Appalachian Prison Book Project from imprisoned people about their life experiences. He then curated their contributions along with his own experiences as a volunteer at the Hazelton Correctional Center in Preston County.
The play, which is featured in the latest issue of the literary journal River Styx, was made possible thanks to a WVU community engagement grant from the WVU Research Office. With the grant, the Appalachian Prison Book Project mailed more than 400 books requested by imprisoned people with a letter asking if they would like to contribute to the play project.
With an understanding that proceeds from performances and publication of the play would go to the Appalachian Prison Book Project, incarcerated people volunteered to share their experiences.
“The letters we received were extraordinary, evocative, introspective, harrowing, heartbreaking, and at times, funny,” Brazaitis said.
Brazaitis said he hopes groups committed to improving the lives of imprisoned people will stage readings and performances of “Dark Shadows” to raise awareness about life behind bars and to raise funds for their efforts.
The Appalachian Prison Book Project received the honorarium for the publication.
Founded in 2004 by professor Katy Ryan, the Appalachian Prison Book Project depends almost entirely on individual donations.