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People can pull together here, if we try - and overlook everything else. If you give people a common goal to do something positive, it makes an impact.

Sisters Rising

The concept for this group came from several conversations between Lisa Wagner-Carollo, Still Point founder, and Annalise Raziq, one of the Persephone Project facilitators, about the joys and challenges of working with incarcerated women.

They had discovered that one of the most difficult struggles of the Persephone Project was inconsistent attendance. They'd be right in the middle of developing the women's trust in each other and themselves, when someone would be unexpectedly transferred to another facility. Even more heartbreaking was the fact that often deep and moving pieces were created, yet very few individuals outside the prison wall would experience the women's artistry.

As an extension of the work done in prisons, and to address these challenges, Still Point began the Sisters Rising Project in early 2007.

Sisters Rising provides part-time work for formerly incarcerated women. Program participants meet throughout the year to create original theatre pieces and to tell their stories. They perform throughout the Chicago area. Thanks to a generous grant from the Chicago Foundation for Women, the pilot program, comprised of ten incredibly courageous, creative and strong formerly incarcerated women, lasted ten weeks, culminating in a performance at the Court Theatre in Chicago. (For this pilot program, Still Point collaborated with CLAIM, Chicago Legal Advocacy for Incarcerated Mothers, Women of Power, and Books for Women in Prison.) For additional information on Sisters Rising please Click Here.

This inspiring troupe is available to perform at your next conference, rally, church or social justice function. For more information please contact Jacob Kaufman at 773 868 1700 or jacob.kaufman@stillpointtheatrecollective.org
or Dena Hawes at dena.hawes@stillpointtheatrecollective.org