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Still Point Theatre Collective presented the First Annual Social Change Theater Festival 1-3 March live at Chicago’s historic Athenaeum Center for Thought & Culture and streamed on HowlRound.
Theatre that moves. Theatre that changes. Theatre that matters.
Still Point Theatre Collective is a Chicago-based organization that has used applied theatre as a tool for social justice for nearly forty years.
This groundbreaking new festival provided a much-needed space for artists, activists, and audiences to engage with performance as a tool for social change. The festival is rooted in a commitment to theatre that uplifts and empowers marginalized voices by bringing together individuals and organizations dedicated to using theatre for justice and transformation.
Festival Highlights
- Women of Grace House, a reentry program supporting formerly incarcerated women, presents a deeply moving performance of Behind the Mask.
- Playwright Brian Beals brings Jabril’s Chains, an insightful and emotional work followed by a talkback.
- WorkersTEATRO, known for its community-driven performances, leads a performance and workshop highlighting labor struggles and advocacy.
Still Point Associate Director Kevin Aoussou comments, “Theatre has the power to spark dialogue, shift perspectives, and ignite action. Yet, for many artists creating work addressing pressing social issues, finding a stage can be challenging. This festival seeks to fill that gap by showcasing works that hold a mirror to society and amplify voices that push for change.”
The festival aims to:
- Raise awareness, voices, and resources for theatre that drives social impact.
- Change perspectives, policies, and the way theatre engages with the world.
- Empower artists, activists, and communities to create meaningful work.
- Inspire action, dialogue, and a new vision for theatre’s role in society.
- In addition to performances and panels, the festival will offer guided meditations led by Nicoya Helm, networking sessions, and a community closing celebration—ensuring that attendees leave inspired and connected to a growing movement of changemakers in the arts.
About the Social Change Theater Festival
The Social Change Theater Festival was founded to provide a platform for artists whose work addresses critical social issues. By uniting theatremakers, activists, and audiences, the festival seeks to harness the power of storytelling to drive awareness, advocacy, and action. The inaugural Social Change Theater Festival is a three-day celebration of socially conscious theatre designed to inspire, connect, and empower. Through thought-provoking performances, transformative workshops, and meaningful dialogue, this festival brings together diverse voices from Chicago and across the country to reimagine the role of theatre in shaping a better world.
If you'd like to make a donation to support the festival, please click here.
Festival Schedule Overview
Day One: 1 March
Panel One: Applied Theatre and Social Change
10:35 a.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
Free Street Workshop
1:30 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
WorkersTEATRO Presentation/Workshop
3 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
Panel Two: Applied Theatre & the Carceral System
4:45 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
Jabril’s Chains by Brain Beals (from the Mud Theatre Project)
7:30 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
Still Point: Closing Thoughts and Meditation (with Nicoya Helm)
9:15 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
Day Two: 2 March
Panel Three: Not For Profit Community Forum
1:30 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
Behind The Mask (in collaboration with Grace House Transitional Home)
3 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
Newspaper Theatre Workshop (with the Center for Applied Theatre)
6 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
Day Three: 3 March
Panel Four: Applied Theatre & the Trauma-Informed Process
2:15 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
Collaborating Community Connection (with the Local Lab Co. and Friends)
3:45 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
Still Point: Closing Thoughts and Meditation (with Nicoya Helm)
5 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
About Face Theatre
6 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
Tortured By Blue by Stanley Howard (Theatre Y!)
7:45 p.m. CST (Chicago, UTC -6)
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