FROM THE CLASSROOM TO THE STAGE

"When you get to a certain age, your parents give you 'the talk.' For undocumented youth, that "talk" is different: Be quiet, keep your head down, , do not bring attention to yourself- remain invisible." 

These words sparked what would become The Voiceless Project, a groundbreaking collaboration between UCI's Department of Sociology and the Playwright Project at Richard J Donovan Prison. The project began with a simple yet powerful declaration from an incarcerated student: "I want to write a play about migration. It is important." From this seed grew an innovative initiative that bridges classroom and stage, bringing together DACA recipients, undocumented students, refugees, and those from mixed-status families to share their stories safely and anonymously.

At its heart, Voiceless creates space for those who have learned the art of invisibility as a means of survival. Through careful story collection and artistic development, these narratives are woven into powerful theatrical productions. 

The stories flow , like a river, from invisibility to the stage.

This is not traditional academic research - there are no hypotheses to prove or data to analyze. Instead, it is a platform for authentic storytelling and transformation. Working across departments and breaking down barriers, we simply listen, write, and ultimately amplify voices that have long been silenced. Our goal is not acclaim or recognition, but rather to create a stage where those who have been taught to be invisible can finally be seen and heard on their own terms.

Through this unique collaboration between sociology, theater arts, and social justice, The Voiceless Project stands as testament to the power of storytelling to build bridges, foster understanding, and give voice to those who have too long remained in the shadows.