Finding Strength in Every Story
Welcome to the Wellness through Asian American Narratives and Theater (WAANT) Program, an initiative aimed at addressing mental health and disability awareness within the Asian American community. Our program seeks to create a safe and supportive space for individuals to share their stories, experiences, and perspectives on mental health and disability, using the power of narratives and theater to spark meaningful conversations, break down stigmas, and foster understanding and empathy.
Join us on Tuesday, April 25th Heading link
Join us on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023 at the UIC Richard Daley Library
(Room 1-470) and the cafe room from 10 AM to 7 PM.
The Wellness through Asian American Narratives and Theater (WAANT) production invites all UIC and non-UIC students, staff, and community members for its production event on Tuesday, April 25 at the UIC Richard Daley Library (Café Room and Room 1-470)!
The WAANT production is a multimedia creative arts and resource sharing event that is connected to: (1) a one-year UIC-funded creative arts program called Wellness through Asian American Narratives and Theater (WAANT); and (2) a course called DHD 420: Mental Health, Asian Americans, and Community Engagement.
Both the initiative and the course involve collaboration among students and on- and off-campus partners that include, community artists, activists, and community leaders. The event addresses mental health/disability, especially in Asian American communities who have often been silent due to cultural barriers and stigmas.
At the April 25th event, the WAANT Program and DHD 420 students will be sharing Asian and Asian American stories through multimedia creative arts, displays, and dialogue. Come connect and talk to our on- and off-campus resources/partners!
The event is free and guests are welcome to stop by and leave anytime during the duration of the event.
The full-day agenda and schedule is as follows:
10:00 am: Attendee registration & check-in
Please check in at the registration table
Complete pre-event survey
10:30 am – 7:00 pm: On-campus and off-campus partners and resource tables
All attendees can meet and network with on-and off-campus partners and leaders.
11:00 am to 7:00 pm: Multimedia art displays, short films, virtual links, and capstone project
All attendees can meet with story collectors, storytellers, community artists and activists, staff directors/faculty, and advocates
11:00 am to 7:00 pm: Interactive stations/displays
Timing of performances/open mic presentations and interactive stations will vary throughout the day
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm: WAANT Story presentations, performances, and displays.
3:30 pm – 7:00 pm: DHD 420: Story Presentations, 1-470 (private event; invitation only)
WAANT Production for Public Ends by 7:15 pm
On-Site Accommodations
• Live Captioning by Tina Dillon –1 PM – 7 PM
• Map of the WAANT production activities
• WAANT Team members/volunteers will be on-site to provide additional supports
***Reception follows only for WAANT and DHD 420 story collectors, storytellers, family, partners, and invited guests
