Event

CROSSING THE LINE

Join Poetic Justice Projects cast of formerly incarcerated actors for its newest production, CROSSING THE LINE. The multimedia play tells the story of long-time peace activist and Santa Maria resident Dennis Apel, who was imprisoned after crossing a green line Highway 1 at the entrance to Vandenberg Air Force Base. He was protesting the 70th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

CROSSING THE LINE was created by Deborah Tobola, based on journal entries written by Dennis Apel during his four-month incarceration at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles, and later published by the Santa Barbara Independent. The play is directed by Robyn Taylor.

On Sunday, June 24, at 2 p.m., CROSSING THE LINE will be performed at St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, 1344 Nipomo Street (corner of Pismo and Nipomo) in San Luis Obispo.

On Sunday, July 1 at 2 p.m., the play will be performed at First Congregational Church of Santa Barbara, 2101 State St., Santa Barbara.

The final show is at Oasis Senior Center, 420 Soares Ave., Orcutt, on Sunday, July 8 at 7 p.m.

All performances will be followed by an audience talkback. Tickets for all shows are $15 and available at the door or at Brown Paper Tickets, 1-800-838-3006.

Poetic Justice Project (PJP) is the only theatre company in the state created for formerly incarcerated people. Almost 100 actors have appeared in 17 PJP productions, which examine crime, punishment and redemption. Based in Santa Maria, the project was founded by Artistic Director Deborah Tobola in 2009. PJP is supported by funding from the Fund for Santa Barbara.

PJP is a program of the award-winning William James Association, which provides arts instruction to prisoners, people on parole and probation, and youth at risk of incarceration. For more information, visit poeticjusticeproject.org or find Poetic Justice Project on Facebook.