Reckless Son
Reckless Son, written and performed by singer songwriter Matt Butler, was inspired by his journey performing over 100 concerts in jails and prisons across the country. Through a powerful combination of spoken word and song, Reckless Son humanizes the experience of the incarcerated by giving them a voice. It’s a story of hope, forgiveness, and what it means to discover a deeper sense of purpose through service to others. Reckless Son was developed in part by the HB Studio Artist Residency program and was workshopped in Oregon State Penitentiary, the Theater Workshop at Otisville State Prison, and the Chesterfield County Jail. Reckless Son can be presented as a residency that includes:
-Performances inside correctional facilities.
-Publicly ticketed events featuring formerly incarcerated guest speakers and performers from the local community.
-Outreach visits to rehabilitation centers, reentry programs, and schools.
-Post-show discussions, Q&A and information on how to get involved.
“One of the new women in HARP (Helping Addicts Recover Progressively) told me she was going tap out of the program because she didn’t think she could do it but the experience she had during Reckless Son caused her to change her mind and keep fighting. I went into the jail this morning and everyone was still abuzz from the play. They told me they have been talking about it all weekend. That, my friend, is impact!”
“I get out in two days and I’m excited to find my purpose outside these walls. Thank you!”