Mud Theatre Presents Jabril’s Chains

Directed by Brian Beals, Jabril’s Chains, Mud Theatre’s newest play, tells the story of seventeen-year-old Jabril, who was convicted of a murder he did not commit. Nine years into his bit, Jabril is a man now, as well as a father, poet, activist, and an inspiration to his younger brother. A court date for Jabril’s appeal has finally been set. Can he use the wisdom his cellie, Old Head Ed, has bestowed upon him about the system to beat it?

Schedule

• 5:30 p.m. Reception in Anderson Hall
• 6:30 p.m. Performance in Buchanan Chapel
• Panel discussion following the performance

Learn more

A portion of the $40 ticket price will be donated to Restore Justice for its work to make Illinois a safer and more compassionate state by replacing the ineffective, extreme sentencing policies of the past with evidence-based laws that allow families and communities to heal.

About Brian Beals

Brian Beals is a co-founder of Mud Theatre Project. Brian is an accomplished activist, organizer and award-winning playwright who was exonerated in 2023 after spending 35 years incarcerated for a crime he did not commit. Brian directed "Three Stages of Incarcerations", a theatrical performance that exhibits the culture and conditions of prison. His play "Broken Pieces" won an award from PEN America, a national competition for incarcerated writers. He was appointed Executive Director of Mud Theatre Project by the ensemble.

About Mud Theatre Project

Mud Theatre Project was born within the writing community of the Illinois Department of Corrections, where we harnessed the power of the arts to shed light on the journey through the classroom to prison pipeline. During this transformative process, members of our team evolved into national award-winning playwrights, journalists, and artists.

Now, as we reintegrate into our communities, our primary goal is to breathe life into neglected spaces through our guiding motto: Transformational Therapeutic Rehabilitation Through the Arts. We believe in the inherent ability of artistic expression to spark change, foster healing, and cultivate hope in even the most overlooked corners of society.