Shakespeare Behind Bars: A Conversation with Founder Curt Tofteland

Curt Tofteland, founder and Producing Artistic Director of the internationally acclaimed program Shakespeare Behind Bars, will share his experiences bringing the works of Shakespeare into prisons and juvenile detention centers. Since 1995, Shakespeare Behind Bars has grown to twelve programs across Kentucky, Michigan, and Illinois, using theater as a tool for reflection, empathy, and transformation.

Tofteland’s work was featured in the award-winning documentary Shakespeare Behind Bars, which premiered at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival, and a second film, Shakespeare Beyond Bars, will be released in 2026. He has presented widely across the United States and abroad, delivered four TEDx talks, and received honors including two Fulbright Fellowships and Doctor of Humane Letters degrees from Oakland University and Bellarmine University.

Bar Opens at 4:30 pm | Talk Begins at 5:00 pm.
This event is part of Barrington’s White House’s Cocktails & Conversation series, designed to offer intimate, first-floor gatherings. Enjoy cocktails from our cash bar, time for socializing, and meaningful conversations with the speaker and fellow guests. Your ticket purchase includes one beverage of your choice.