Arts organizations such as St. Louis’ Prison Performing Arts have nearly eliminated recidivism for participants that continue after confinement in their Prison Performing Arts Alumni Theater Company. Through personal experience of going from nursing professor to drug addict, our speaker Julie Antonic will share how this arts organization transformed her life, as well as countless others across the country. The stigma of being an ex-felon creates huge barriers when felons return to their communities. When prisoners and ex-prisoners are given a voice, that platform can change everything. In Act I of Julie Antonic's life, she was a travel RN, an adjunct professor of nursing, and became an addict after being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. In Julie's current Act II of her life, she is an actress, playwright and spokesperson for Prison Performing Arts. She is an artist and co-owner of Altitude Video Production, which produces aerial cinematography for events, real estate and more. She recently did a talk at TEDxSt.Louis Women, and lives in Blue Springs, Missouri. There she is the secretary of the friendliest yacht club on the planet and sails a 52 year old sailboat with her wife.