Sing Sing star Colman Domingo talks the importance of creativity for healing & redemption

In Sing Sing, out actor, Oscar nominee, and recent cover star Colman Domingo's heartfelt portrayal of a wrongfully incarcerated man underscores the transformative power of an arts program within the prison system and helps shine a light on the untold stories of resilience and brotherhood.

Through this nuanced lens, the film shatters stereotypes and offers a profound message to Hollywood: it's time to depict Black men with the empathy, love, and tenderness they deserve.

Out got the chance to talk to Domingo, as well as his co-star Clarence Maclin (a formerly incarcerated actor who is playing a fictionalized version of himself), and the two opened up about the importance of Sing Sing and the impact telling these kinds of stories can have on folks.

"I think we as a society need, we need creativity," Domingo told Out when asked about the importance of creative outlets and the role they play in helping heal and redeem people. "I think there's no question of why arts programs are cut in elementary schools. That's the first thing that are cut. And then people wonder why people don't have a sense of who they are, a sense of play, a sense of love or being in a space of vulnerability. And then you have to put on all these tropes in order for your survival. But the idea of looking at creativity and creativity is a vibration, a higher vibration, of love and joy and spirit, and connecting to our higher selves... what a useful tool in order for us to be a bit more human and a bit more loving and generous that actually heals the world creativity. So I think that's the message I like to get out there. I know that was very important to me and my fellow comrades with this film."

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Watch Out's full interview with Colman Domingo and Clarence Maclin in the video above. Sing Sing hits select theaters on July 12 and goes wide on August 2.