IN n OUT is a European collaborative project with partners from Germany, Italy, and Greece. Together, the partners are exploring the play "Macbeth," developing productions and adaptations with inmates in three different prisons. Public performances will take place between January and March 2027. What makes this project unique is the collaborative synergy between the partners: while one performance is live, the partners contribute pre-recorded video elements, creating a unique three-part experience. The audience will witness a comprehensive staging of "Macbeth," presented from the perspectives of Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, and their adversaries, all merging into a single performance. The combination of live performance and screen projections amplifies the impact of the work and conveys a multifaceted narrative to the audience, born from the transnational collaboration of prisoners and artists.

The project addresses the social inequalities, exclusion, and challenges faced by people in European prisons. Inmates are confronted with a multitude of problems that significantly impair their chances of successful reintegration into society. The project pursues an innovative approach to artistic work in prison. Inmates actively contribute to the development of a theatrical piece. The various phases of the transnational theater process—from workshops and behind-the-scenes glimpses to interviews with inmates and artists—are documented in an artistic web documentary. This document traces the transformative journey of the inmates throughout the project. The documentary will subsequently be screened at events designed to serve as platforms for public discourse and discussion about the rehabilitative impact of art in the context of incarceration.

The implementation of theatre workshops in three prisons in Italy, Germany, and Greece promote cultural exchange and mutual understanding. By creating opportunities for self-expression, artistic development, and active participation in cultural activities, the project contributes to social resilience, mental health, and overall social inclusion. The project offers prisoners a unique opportunity to access culture . Theater workshops enable them to discover and actively participate in art and creativity.

The web documentation makes this area of art and culture more accessible and tangible for a wider audience, promotes inclusive participation in cultural activities, overcomes barriers and contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the prison environment.

https://www.inoutproject.com/

Partners:

aufBruch – Plötzensee Prison, Berlin - Germany

Media Mediterranea – Naples Women's Prison - Italy

APICCO - Domokos Prison - Greece