The performance, titled Cuentos desde la celda (Tales from the Cell), was the result of a project directed by Graziano Pellegrino, from the Travesía Association. The staging, which included fourteen actors, aimed to generate deep reflection on the personal stories behind incarcerated individuals. The show was attended by approximately 500 students from educational centers in the northern region of Gran Canaria, transforming the theater into a space for dialogue and questioning.

The project originated from a request by the Mapfre Canarias Foundation, which collaborates in a reading and writing program in prison. The inspiration for the play came from the story of an inmate who shared how the most beautiful thing in his life had been raising canaries. This anecdote became the central metaphor of the work, connecting the birds' song with family memory and the repetition of cycles of exclusion and incarceration across generations.

The project director emphasized the importance of education and culture as fundamental tools to prevent crime and incarceration. He argued that, if these pillars are not strengthened and real opportunities are not offered, the number of people ending up in prison will not decrease. The play draws from texts written by the inmates themselves, some of which have won awards, and from phrases that evoke intimacy and the search for meaning.

The therapeutic approach of theater, according to Pellegrino, lies in allowing participants to shed masks and connect with their true selves. This method, based on listening and observation, seeks to transform personal experiences into theatrical scenes. The reaction of the attending adolescents was remarkable, showing openness and a reduction of prejudices, suggesting a mutual connection between young people and individuals who have been incarcerated.

The actors' testimonies highlighted the complexity of reintegration and the importance of emotional support. One described the difficulty of rebuilding life after leaving prison, while another emphasized gaining self-confidence through theater. The director, based on his university research, affirmed that theater produces a significant change in participants' self-concept, allowing them to break internal barriers and find new meaning in their lives.

Although theater does not perform magic, it can be a decisive catalyst for change, restoring dignity and hope. The experience extends beyond Gran Canaria, with participants from other islands like Tenerife, demonstrating the project's ability to resonate in diverse contexts and dismantle prejudices.