Uprise Theatre’s Core programs are:

Theatre/Art Program: Our flagship program is a 16-week legal course that teaches topics including domestic violence (DV), sexual assault (SA), LGBTQ+ rights, 4th and 5th Amendment rights, and gang and conspiracy charges. Participants, turned peer-educators, re-teach the information they have learned to the community through live performances.

Equal Access to Justice Legal Program: Uprise has grown from its flagship program to include pro-bono legal services for criminally impacted families. As a founding member of San Diego’s Participatory Defense group (based on the pioneering work of Raj Jayadev and Silicon Valley De-Bug in San Jose), Uprise founder, Annie Rios, has provided legal consultations and coaching for individuals and loved ones affected by the criminal justice system.

Cultural Advocacy Response/Ability (CARA) Training Series: In addition to direct-service programs, Uprise provides a series of trainings to other community organizations/legal-aid programs that work with vulnerable clients. A five-part training, with topics that include (1) implicit bias, (2) cultural humility, (3) client centered services and trauma informed care, (4) grounding and motivational interviewing, and (5) self-care, is given free to organizations that provide pro bono services to people experiencing trauma.