Learn more about disability, disability justice and the role we all play in making the world a more equitable and accessible for people of all ages with disabilities. You’ll learn more disability experiences and examine scenarios to determine how to reduce barriers and increase inclusion. This will be done through an interactive approach. 

Speakers: Heather Stelljes, Karli John, and Carrie Kerska 

About the speakers: Three former middle and high school teachers now working in disability and accessibility field share more about what they've learn about disability identity, rights, and justice. 

This 55-minute workshop incorporates imagination and theater games to create a greater sense of self-expression, how one fits within a group, and how one fits within the greater whole. We will create a safe and fun space to engage with improvisation techniques, the Viewpoints acting method, breath work and movement.

Encore Studio for the Performing Arts celebrates 23 years as Wisconsin's first professional theatre company for people with disabilities and is one of the very few in the United States. Encore offers an innovative, inclusive, and professional environment where all people work together in the pursuit of artistic and theatrical excellence. Encore’s actors develop their creative skills and talents to communicate, through the performing arts, a challenging and authentic message about disability and culture.

Presenter Bio: Jessica Jane Witham, (she/her/hers) is an arts producer, director, performer and educator. Program Director of Encore Studio for the performing Arts and Artistic Producer with Whoopensocker, Jessica has worked with many wonderful companies including American Players Theatre, Forward Theatre Company, Music Theatre of Madison, Theatre Lila, the NYC Frigid Festival, and the NYC Fringe Festival. Additionally, Jessica is a certified yoga teacher specializing in trauma sensitive yoga and founded the hybrid theatre-yoga program TheatriKidz Yoga. Jessica attended American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and UW–Madison where she received her BA in cultural anthropology and MA from the Bolz Center for Arts Administration. 

"I just didn't know what to say..." Ever not known what to say to someone who speaks differently than you? Couldn't understand them? Speech disorders and speaking styles can get in the way of communication. Explore common issues and ways to connect with others. 

Presenter bio: Elise Uphoff is the parent of a teen with a speech disorder and intellectual disability, and Chaplain at UnityPoint Meriter Hospital. Navigating differences in speech and conversation styles is at the heart of what she does as a parent and an interfaith chaplain. Formerly in Civil Engineering, Elise now is a disability advocate and community organizer. 

High school students, are you ready for a unique workshop experience that combines creativity, inspiration, and relaxation? Join us for an exciting journey where we will explore entrepreneurship through the art of poetry. In this workshop, I'll present some of my poetry that captures the essence of my entrepreneurial journey. Through my poetry, you'll be able to hear about the triumphs of starting and running a business. We’ll discuss why and how I started my company Earthly Temptation.

But that's not all - we'll also incorporate a sound bath session to help you unwind, relax, and connect with your inner self. With soothing sounds from Sound Bowls, you'll be transported to a meditative environment that promotes deep relaxation and rejuvenation.

This workshop is perfect for those interested in exploring the world of entrepreneurship and poetry in a creative and expressive way. So come join us for an afternoon filled with inspiration, reflection, and relaxation. We can't wait to see you there and explore the world of entrepreneurship and sound healing together! 

Presenter bio: Sarah Branch is the proud owner of Earthly Temptation, a company that offers natural, organic, and sustainable products for the mind, body, and soul. Sarah has always had a passion for entrepreneurship and has spent years perfecting her craft. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience to share when it comes to starting and running a successful business. Her love for poetry and the art of sound healing has also led her to create unique workshops that combine creativity, inspiration, and relaxation. Sarah is a dedicated entrepreneur who is passionate about empowering others to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.

Explore variations in dance, hip-hop, popping, krump, locking and house

Presenter bio: Kooy has been teaching street style technique (hip-hop, popping, krump, locking and house) 12+ years and KPOP choreography for 5+. He's won and judged all styles battles all around the midwest. He’s very passionate about utilizing the art forms as a way to express all parts of yourself, build self confidence, as well as using it as therapy for our mental, physical and emotional health. 

Learn how the past century of urban planning and street design has prioritized people who work office jobs in downtown over everyone else. This practice is inequitable, and makes walking, biking, and using transit more challenging and unsafe for women, children, people of color, and people who work non-office hours. We will also explore some street transformations on www.urb-i.com/before-after 

Presenter Bio: Sonia Haeckel is a transportation planner at Toole Design, a firm that is a leader in planning and engineering for walking, biking, and transit across North America. At Toole Design, Sonia typically helps cities figure out where future bikeways and sidewalks should go. She also makes bicycle wayfinding plans, and recommends ways to make it safer for kids to walk or bike to school. She is also a mother of a freshman at West. 

Explore Solarpunk concepts of a liberated future with a deep connection to nature as you creatively imagine a more equitable future through an art form of your choice. Then, discover some concrete organizing steps that you can lead to bring your visions to life! 

Presenter Bio: Karen Polnitz (she/her) is a writer, performer, organizer, and educator who enjoys growing alongside each new group of students she is able to guide in exploration. She holds a B.A. in Playwriting from UC Santa Barbara and an M.A. in Teaching from Fresno State University. She has served as an arts, high school, and spirituality educator for the last decade, organizes and supports social justice efforts in the Madison area through Families for Justice and within her virtual job based out of Fresno, CA. 

Learn how to take an idea for social change and take the next steps in formalizing your concept into a bigger cause. Presentation will touch on research, fundraising, marketing, organizing volunteers, and basic needs for getting started. 

Presenter bio: Rowan Childs founded nonprofit, Madison Reading Project 10 years ago in response to learning about the discrepancies in literacy rates in Dane County. Rowan wanted to help provide fun new books to kids they could keep, grow their home libraries and literacy skills.

Background: Rowan grew up in England, Germany, and Chicago, and attended many schools throughout. Books and travel were always her constant companion. She has a background in sales, marketing, and community development which all of those skills helped her create and run a successful nonprofit.