Sondra Loring interviewed by Randy Baker
Randy Baker (00:01): Hello. I am Randy Baker. It is November 16th, 2023. And I am a current residence here at Greene Corrections Facility. I'm here with... What's your name?
Sondra Loring (00:16): Sondra Loring.
Randy Baker (00:17): (laughs) Sondra Loring?
Sondra Loring (00:18): (laughs)
Randy Baker (00:19): The lovely Sondra Loring. I am going to ask you some questions, uh, okay?
Sondra Loring (00:25): Please do.
Randy Baker (00:27): So tell me about your time in this class here.
Sondra Loring (00:29): Hm. Um, well, I can say that I've taught in different facilities in terms of, uh, recovery centers and l- uh, local jail and I was in a program for juvenile men and women, but I was really nervous about coming to Greene Correctional, and really, the, the nervousness came from how you all would, um, respond to me. Like, whether there would be like the arms crossed, like, "Ah."
Randy Baker (01:07): Yeah. The... yeah.
Sondra Loring (01:07): Um, and so, (laughs) I thought about it a lot. And, and then I came in, and I think all my expectations were sort of blown away.
Randy Baker (01:19): Ah.
Sondra Loring (01:19): I felt so, like, immediately connected, and I think it's been a joy for me. Like, I wake up on Thursdays. I'm like, "I'm going to prison today."
Randy Baker (01:31): (laughs)
Sondra Loring (01:33): (laughs) W- which-
Randy Baker (01:34): You're the only one.
Sondra Loring (01:34): ... I'm sure you do not.
Randy Baker (01:34): (laughs)
Sondra Loring (01:36): (laughs) But, um, yeah. I do have the privilege of that. I come in and I go out. Uh, so that my time here has been very educational and inspiring, that there's, um, an elegance, an eloquence, and a engagement that you all have shown-
Randy Baker (01:56): Hm.
Sondra Loring (01:56): ... that has really, um, expanded my heart.
Randy Baker (02:05): Aw.
Sondra Loring (02:05): (laughs)
Randy Baker (02:05): I got a little emotional there.
Sondra Loring (02:06): I know. (laughs)
Randy Baker (02:06): Like, hold on. Hold on. (laughs)
Sondra Loring (02:06): Cry. (laughs)
Randy Baker (02:09): See, how can we not adore you?
Sondra Loring (02:14): (laughs)
Randy Baker (02:14): You're just a sweet person. You're just a great heart.
Sondra Loring (02:18): Aw.
Randy Baker (02:18): Anybody who dislikes you, they, they're made from the spawn of the devil.
Sondra Loring (02:22): (laughs)
Randy Baker (02:22): (laughs)
Sondra Loring (02:24): Well, there, there is a little line of people, but anyway... (laughs)
Randy Baker (02:26): (laughs)
Sondra Loring (02:28): I just keep my head down and, and do the best I can.
Randy Baker (02:32): Okay. Um, so how does being in this class make you feel?
Sondra Loring (02:37): It made me feel challenged. It made me feel, um, introspective of like what would be a way to, like you say, get people to feel like they could experiment and they could be... they could take a risk without feeling foolish, um, or self-conscious in a way that would interrupt, I think it's still recording, yeah, um, their artistic exploration. And then of course, you know, I teach... I'm, I'm a dancer and a yoga person, and I teach, and it's, it's challenging for men to dance. You know, this culture is very, okay, um, prescribed about that. So, you know, here I was. I, I didn't really tell you all the truth in the very beginning. (laughs)
Randy Baker (03:32): (laughs)
Sondra Loring (03:34): I was just like, yeah, let's do some strength building, and then it was like, and right away, we're walking around improvising.
Randy Baker (03:40): Mm-hmm.
Sondra Loring (03:40): So, it made me feel really happy of the experience that I've had, that I had somewhere to bring it to.
Randy Baker (03:49): Aw.
Sondra Loring (03:50): Hm.
Randy Baker (03:50): That's beautiful. That's beautiful. Uh, did she say wrap it up?
Sondra Loring (03:54): I think she did.
Randy Baker (03:54): Okay.
Sondra Loring (03:55): She said wrap it up. So.
Randy Baker (03:57): So, it was an honor to interview you.
Sondra Loring (03:59): Mine as well, so thank you so much, Randy.
Randy Baker (04:02): Thank you, Sondra.