SEPT/OCT 2025
Resilience Arts Festival: Oct 23-26, 2025
About the Festival
The Resilience Arts Festival highlights the human experience from the pe ti f l i t d b th i i l l l system, told torture surv spent decad Festival utili sources of co
How It Sta
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In 2024, the at the Chicag the idea for a
The Artis
Anthony Spaulding
Incarcerations", a theatrical performance that exhibits the culture and conditions of prison. His play "Broken Pieces" won an award for incarcerated writers d Theatre Project by the
Darrion Benson
Recent activities of Darrion Benson, who is a cofounder of Mud Theatre Project, include a reading from his book "325 Miles Away" at Walls Turned Sideways that addressed how poetry got him through his incarceration He has also performed "The Zoo" at various locations around Chicago. His play "My Problems with the World is Me" was performed at the Athenaeum Theatre Darrion is selftaught. He gained his skills in the performing arts while incarcerated
Anthony Spaulding was a gifted boy who cultivated his skills and talents while incarcerated While incarcerated, he enhanced the bright light that everyone could clearly see. He wrote in every genre and forum He has written and continues to write poems, songs, plays (screen,tele,stage) and books
Anthony taught himself to play keyboard, guitar, and compose He completed various creative writing and performance classes
A consummate artist/student, Anthony was mentored by the late, great, Dr Margaret Burroughs Anthony is a dynamic performer and engulfs himself in every opportunity . He is relentlessly chasing his dream. Anthony has performed at Goodman Theater, Second City, Lifeline Theatre, Churches, Colleges, Community Centers, and stages all over Chicago. His first production (“To Cut A Barber’s Hands!”) was well received, and now Anthony burst back in the scene with his all new production entitled “Fighting For My Life!”
Brian Beals
Brian Beals is a co-founder of Mud Theatre Project. Brian is an accomplished activist, organizer and award-winning playwright who was exonerated in 2023 after spending 35 years incarcerated for a crime he did not commit. Brian directed "Three Stages of
Erika Ray Erika Ray, co-author of “The Complicated Pressure of Gems,” is also the author of the poetry collection 42 and Freedom. While incarcerated, Erika earned a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University’s School of Professional studies through the Northwestern Prison Education Program She is an activist and cocreator of the domestic violence awareness program “Look at Me,” produced by the Women’s Justice Institute.
Feather Bricks/Writers From All Sides of the Moon
Feather Bricks magazine is a brave space to celebrate creative, encouraging, and instructive expressions by and about writers serving long-term prison sentences in Illinois Writers from All Sides of the Moon is a webspace dedicated to celebrating texts by and about write rs and artists serving long-term prison sentences in Illinois.
eyes
Javier Reyes is a dedicated advocate for criminal justice reform and a leader in advancing the rights of justice-involved individuals Drawing from his lived experience, he is also a restorative justice practitioner and prison reform advocate committed to transforming the criminal legal system As the Founder and CEO of Challenge II Change, a non-profit organization, Javier provides comprehensive pre-release and reentry planning, essential resources for successful community reintegration, and supportive services for those at risk of becoming justice involved Recognizing the critical role of housing stability in successful
reentry, he actively advocates for equitable housing policies and expanded access to affordable housing opportunities
Javier’s commitment to civic engagement and policy reform is demonstrated through his previous role as a Civic Leader for Chicago Votes, his contributions as a delegate for the People's Coalition for Safety and Freedom, and his ongoing efforts as a Steering Committee member for the Illinois Coalition to End Permanent Punishments. Javier's advocacy for higher education in prison is inspired by the educational opportunities he received and the profound impact they had on his quality of life, both during and after incarceration As an alumnus of the Illinois Coalition for Higher Education in Prison (ILCHEP) and a Justice Fellow with Northwestern University’s Prison Education Program (NPEP), he champions the belief that every individual regardless of race, sex, gender, or sentence deserves equal access to quality education
In his capacity as faculty for the Administrative Office of US Courts, Defender Services Offices, Training Division’s national program, Javier shares his lived experience to help the Federal Public Defender's Office build trust and improve communication between defenders and their clients.
Jeanine Elam, co-author of “The Complicated Pressure of Gems,” is also the creator and director of “Never No More” and the online series “Look at Me,” produced by the Women’s Justice Institute and aimed at raising awareness about the dangers of domestic
violence Jeanine is a former member of the Acting Out Theater Troupe, and throughout her 20 years behind the wall, she has been a mentor, performer, and choreographer for countless dance routines in “Never No More,” “Look at Me,” and the Praise Dance Troupe for Logan Community Church
Jeanine is currently a student at Northwestern University’s School of Professional Studies through the Northwestern Prison Education Program
Jesse Martinez
Jesse B Martinez is an incarcerated writer and prison advocate serving a 76 year sentence in Dixon Correction Center. Jesse has always turned to writing as a source of purpose and comfort Whether working on an article or writing a play like GLOW, Jesse's mission is to bring awareness to systemic injustices.
Jesse devotes much of his time as a peer educator, barber, and volunteer in any way he can serve others, from engaging with undergraduate students at Lewis University in Dr Billup's Peace and Justice class to teaching out the curriculum from Chicago Votes on the right to vote upon release. We're excited to share his story and accomplishments
Marvin Alexis
embrace their potential His story is one of transformation, proving that with determination and creativity, anyone can rise from their circumstances to become a beacon of hope and inspiration.
Reparations Media
Reparations Media is a media education and production organization with a mission to provide quality information through multi-media productions regarding issues affecting marginalized and communities of color across the United States and globally.
Reclamation Project Group at Women's Justice Institute
The WJI Reclamation Project is a sisterhood of women leaders whose lives have been impacted by the criminal legal system We come together to reclaim justice for women, our children and families through mutual support and transformative advocacy
Stanley Howard (he/him) is a survivor of police torture who spent 39 years in Illinois prison, including 16 on Death Row He currently works as a paralegal with the Uptown People’s Law Center. He has worked as a jailhouse lawyer, organizer, and social justice advocate for over 30 years
Stanley is an accomplished author who has written about his experience both in a solo performance piece and in his book, Tortured by Blue
Stephanie Bonds is a Chicago native A mother of three, Stephanie is currently incarcerated at the Logan Correction Center, where she completed a bachelor’s degree from Northwestern University’s School of Professional studies through the Northwestern Prison Education Program.
Stephanie is co-author of “The Complicated Pressure of Gems,” and her hobbies are dancing, writing, and acting.
Born on November 7, 1977, in Chicago, Marvin Alexis is a multifaceted artist and advocate whose journey is defined by resilience and transformation After serving 24 years in prison for murder, Marvin emerged with a profound commitment to using his experiences to inspire others
As the founder of the Mogul Makers Performing Arts Coalition (MMPAC) and XCon 2 Icon (XC II IC), he empowers individuals to redefine their
narratives and pursue their passions in the arts. Marvin is also a coauthor of the impactful book Throwing Rocks At the Pen, which delves into the complexities of the prison experience and the power of storytelling.
In addition to his work in arts advocacy, Marvin is a talented playwright, screenwriter, poet, and visual artist His contributions to the creative community are further exemplified through his membership in the Dixon Theatre Workshop and the Mud Theatre Collective
As a motivational speaker, Marvin shares his insights and experiences, encouraging others to overcome adversity and
Tekamia "Queen" Cannon
Tekamia "Queen" Canon is the newest member of Mud Theatre Project. She is system-impacted through her older brother's incarceration Her lived experience as someone who supported an incarcerated person offers Mud Theatre Project a unique perspective on the stories they tell. She has performed in "A Tribute to Dr Burroughs", and is learning Mud Theatre's approach to the performing arts.
Toussaint Daniels
Toussaint Daniels is a co-founder of Mud Theatre Project. He was the lead writer of "A Tribute to Dr. Burroughs" performed at the Washington Park Conservatory He acted in a production of "Three Stages of Incarceration" which highlights the culture and conditions of prison His play "The Story of Violence" won first place in PEN America, a national competition for incarcerated writers Toussaint is self-taught
Walls Turned Sideways
Walls Turned Sideways is an art gallery, studio, & community space dedicated to artists and communities impacted by incarceration
Our mission is to build bridges that connect people in prison, their families, artists, and other community members using art, exhibitions, and political education with a focus on collective liberation, healing and abolition.
