THE SET:

                One of the thematic goals behind the design of the “Set Me Free” Tour is to transport inmate audiences to a place where they only dream of being by way of mature choices and decisions they make in order to get to that specific place. Whereas the placement within the walls of imprisonment may have been the one thing that has saved some of their lives, it’s the streets of the free world and the thirst for freedom and independence that actually frightens many others, simply because of the unknown (changes in technology, laws, institutionalization, acceptance in society, etc.). The theatrical set will depict elements of both worlds; the performance area will be surrounded by a 19-piece, 4x8 ft. wall of frames in which the upper half of the frame will resemble larger than life dominoes – a bland, flat black background with piercing white spheres. The lower half will capture the liveliness and color of the streets of the free world; two-toned brick walls plastered with images of those things most treasured and missed by inmates – messages from loved ones and good friends, memories of fast food, fast cars, fashionable apparel and of course, the access to good music and entertainment. These two scenes will be separated by a thin, opaque barrier of nothingness – an element of “purgatorial” space – which resembles the transitional area one must “mature” through before making the conscious, spiritual and realistic decision of which of these places best suits their personal selves at that given time. It is this area  where old habits are dropped or sustained, past crimes and/or sins are forgiven and forgotten or remembered and reminded, and new goals are set on solid ground or left suspended in a state of disarray. Ultimately, it is this barrier of nothingness where one defines and fills in the direction of his life, where he creates and colors his own portrait of success and sustainability as a productive man or woman for family, friends, church and society. It is here where he is, literally, “set free”.

 

THE THEME:

                The H.I.P.Notik “Set Me Free” Tour will be an artistic journey from the dayrooms, rec yards and popular activities of everyday prison life to the unexpected, fast-paced and often devastating and realistic world on the streets of today’s society. Inspired by the words of the title song by the gospel ensemble Myron Butler and Levi, the performers of H.I.P.Notik will make the visual transformations from being “bound and chained” to “set free and free, indeed”, using a variety of dance, musical and theatrical production numbers, each a different chapter of a story of hope, trust, faith and growth – a story leading to a more positive way of thinking, abolishing recidivism and the realignment of a new life. H.I.P.Notik uses a creative collaboration of familiar music, combined with an overlay of biblical scriptures and stories, as a vehicle to capture and “H.I.P.Notize” the minds of inmate audiences. And this tool is used thoughtfully, maturely and successfully during the many different production numbers of the “Set Me Free” Tour. Some of the production numbers, presently in design, are as follows:

 

* Intro: I Am Not Forgotten: From an involved game of dominoes, the anticipation of mail call, to the weekend late night call for “rack time”, the H.I.P.Notik “Set Me Free” Tour starts off with a fast-paced, high voltage dance routine depicting a positive, upbeat scene in a prison dayroom. Using a string of popular music from different genres connected by numerous recorded inspirational messages and biblical scriptures, the performers wrap their amazing physical abilities around the lyrics of Israel and New Breed’s popular gospel hit, and combine those abilities to make a visual feast and complete, literal understanding of the impenetrable words, “I am fearfully and wonderfully made”.

 

* Love Always…Me: This piece has the potential to be one of the most memorable journeys inmate audiences will take as H.I.P.Notik pays honor, tribute and gratitude to those who have lost loved ones during incarceration, while achieving a trusting and gainful relationship with their higher power in the process. Choreographed as an emotionally charged game of “musical chairs” – each chair representing a life or love lost – the performers illustrate a series of inmate letters written home from solitary confinement, with the classical version of Evanescence’s “My Immortal” as the musical foundation. Warning: You may want to pass around the Kleenex…to inmates and officers alike. This one is really powerful.

 

* Them Seven Deadlies: With the haunting, menacing melodies and complicated, syncopated rhythms of Samuel Barber’s orchestral masterpiece ‘Medea’ as the soundtrack, the performers give an intense, visual “Cliffs Note” version of the story of Adam and Eve, the eternal mistake made in the Garden of Eden, and the birth, definitions and unstoppable devastation of the Seven Deadly Sins. Adorned in costumes reminiscent of athletes going into battle, the performers execute a number of daring physical feats using a combination of modern/hip hop dance movement and auxiliary equipment to “scare” the audiences about the reality and consequences of these seven evils into the human race.

 

* For Every Good Deed: Every once in a while, we just need to be reminded that even though good deeds alone may not get us through the pearly gates, it just feels good to simply be kind and do generous things for others. And with this number, H.I.P.Notik takes the time and opportunity to do just that. From the good ol’ days of helping a lady over a puddle of water, to assisting the elderly with difficult challenges and even being a hero to a damsel in distress, this piece features the artistry of mime and the auxiliary’s squad “protective, angelic” use of umbrellas to illustrate that it’s never a bad time to show your fellow man some kindness and love. And who knows…when you least expect it, that “human kindness” will come back to you. It always does.

 

* Finale – Set Me Free: The final performance piece on the program takes the audience to a  jubilant, energetic scene in a place familiar to all inmates, a prison recreation yard. Inspired by Acts 16 and one of the director’s personal experiences on the rec yard of the Holliday Unit, this number portrays the loyalty, joy and dedication to the betterment of one’s spirit. The choreography and design includes an artistic and creative use of basketballs, the “biblically narrative” disassembling of jail cell bars at the “strike of midnight”, and an explosion of neon color and high power energy when the performers’ dreams of freedom are made real.