Laertes Word

Laertes Word

James Word & Prison Performing Arts

St. Louis, MO


Crime is easy. Hamlet is hard. My reformation through Shakespeare.

James Word has been acting all his life; he just didn’t know it – that is, until he’s cast in his first play – while serving a 30-year sentence at Missouri Eastern Correctional Center. This is the story of how Hamlet changed his life.


Category: Solo Performance

Tags: Comedy, Drama, Criminal Justice

Rating: PG-13 (13+)


Venue: DUE TO A CHANGE IN THE ARTIST’S CIRCUMSTANCES (NEW JOB, YAY!), THIS SHOW WILL NOW BE OFFERED AS VIDEO ON DEMAND. TICKETS WILL BE AVAILABLE SOON.
Run Time: 50 Minutes


Artist Bio

James Word is an artist and storyteller based in St. Louis. His mission is to help people understand that it’s never too late: they can change their life for the better and live a joyful life that they can be proud of. This is his first collaboration with PPA as a returning citizen. For over two decades, Prison Performing Arts has helped prisoners, returning citizens, and justice-involved youth build second acts through engagement with the arts.

Past Fringe Credits

First Time Fringer!