Shakespeare Behind Bars creator Curt Tofteland to speak at University of Richmond's Jepson Leadership Forum Jan. 23

Curt Tofteland, creator and director of the internationally acclaimed Shakespeare Behind Bars program, will speak Jan. 23, 7 p.m., at University of Richmond’s Jepson Alumni Center as part of the 2012-13 Jepson Leadership Forum. 

The program uses theater and the works of William Shakespeare to help incarcerated adults and youth explore social issues and develop life skills to ensure their successful reintegration into society. The first of its kind in North America, it is now in its 18th year.

The program is the subject of an award-winning documentary of the same title, which premiered in 2005 at the Sundance Film Festival. A movie screening of the film will be shown at 4 p.m. in Jepson Alumni Center.

The talk and movie screening are open to the public, but registration is required at jepson.richmond.edu/rsvp/tickets.html or by calling Shannon Best at (804) 287-6522.

The program is cosponsored by the department of theatre and dance.