The Mud Theatre Project’s latest play features a cast impacted by the prison system

Chicago: The atmosphere is serious as Brian Beals stands by the cheetah print curtains at Bronzeville’s Black Box Theater. It’s a chilly January afternoon, and the only sound is the heating system humming away during rehearsal for “Searching for Justice.”
As sunlight streams in, the actors spring into action, bringing a vibrant mural of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun” to life on stage. In this play, five characters use spoken word and real-life stats to tackle tough questions about justice, violence, and the juvenile prison system. The central question is whether young people should face harsh prison sentences and how modern reforms affect those behind bars.
Beals, the director, is excited about the play’s premiere at Steppenwolf’s Ensemble Theatre, which is already sold out. This production is a collaboration with the Restore Justice Foundation and the Mud Theatre Project, a nonprofit Beals founded to share original stories about the prison system.
Beals knows this topic well; he was exonerated after spending over 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. His nonprofit grew from a performing arts program he started while incarcerated. The cast includes co-founders of Mud Theatre, who also faced incarceration as teens and met Beals through the Dixon Arts Program.
Actress Tekamia “Queen” Cannon shares her personal story of watching her brother go to prison at just 16, a life-changing experience for her. The Restore Justice Foundation commissioned this play to blend art and advocacy, aiming to create a powerful narrative for the stage.
In just a few weeks, the Mud Theatre Project members crafted “Searching for Justice,” which presents the story of a legislator grappling with how to represent his district’s interests. He hears from various voices, including a professor advocating for reform and a janitor mourning his daughter’s death due to violence.
Bringing this play to life hasn’t been easy. Some cast members are still navigating life after incarceration, with one just finishing a work release program. Beals admits he’s still getting used to technology like laptops and the internet, while others are learning to drive and reconnect with family.
“We can’t be conventional,” Beals says. “We have to find ways to support each other and achieve our goals.”
As rehearsals continue, Brooke Bennett, an acting coach, helps guide the actors. She was drawn to this project because it’s rare to see system-impacted individuals performing on such a significant platform. None of the actors have professional experience, but their lived experiences make the performance feel authentic.
Moosa, one of the actors, believes their unique backgrounds will resonate with the audience. “We know something internally that nobody knows,” he says, excited to share their story. Cannon’s character seeks help for her incarcerated brother, reflecting her real-life struggles growing up with him in prison.
Moosa emphasizes the importance of changing narratives about system-impacted individuals. “If I’m no longer here after the show, the job is done,” he states, hoping to inspire change in laws affecting those in the system.
For Daniels, who spent 26 years in prison, performing with his castmates feels like family. “These are my brothers. I never thought I’d be back here with them,” he shares, highlighting the emotional connection they have.
Franklin, feeling confident about the show, hopes it will raise awareness for the Mud Theatre Project’s mission. The performance is unpaid, but ticket sales will support the Restore Justice Foundation, and donations are welcome.
Beals dreams of taking the show to Springfield and other areas to reach more people. He believes this performance is just the beginning of a larger movement. “We hope everyone sees that we represented all perspectives fairly,” he concludes.