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Nikki Lynette: Film Screening & Talkback | Student Union Theatre
March 28 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
ArtsFest Advance! proudly announces a special engagement with multidisciplinary artist and mental health activist Nikki Lynette, whose groundbreaking work fuses music, theater, and film with a powerful message of resilience and advocacy. As part of this year’s festival, Lynette’s acclaimed short film, Happy Songs About Unhappy Things, will be screened on Friday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m., at the UWL Student Union Movie Theatre, followed by an in-depth talkback session with the artist. This event is free and open to the public.
Lynette’s career is a testament to the transformative power of art. Originally an independent recording artist, her journey into theater began unexpectedly during her recovery from a mental health crisis. Her autobiographical musical, Get Out Alive, chronicling her experiences with depression and survival, made history as the first work by a Black female playwright to be produced by the American Music Theatre Project. The show has since been embraced by Broadway producers at Octopus Theatricals and continues to expand its impact.
Her latest film project, Happy Songs About Unhappy Things, is a “documusical”—a genre-blending combination of performance art and documentary film. The film explores the universal struggles of mental health through an innovative, deeply personal lens. Premiering at the Cinequest Film and Creativity Festival, the film has been making waves on the festival circuit, resonating with audiences who see their own mental health journeys reflected in its themes.
“I started out in the psych hospital, in group therapy,” says Lynette. “All the women on my ward felt stigmatized, misrepresented, and misunderstood when it came to their mental health issues. So I told them that when I got out, I would tell our stories. Trying to keep my word to them helped keep me accountable to my wellness goals.”
Her dedication to mental health activism has led her to work with organizations like NAMI Chicago, where she became a Lived Experience Speaker and was later elected to its Board of Directors. She has also developed Mental Health Turn Ups, a concert series blending performance art with mental health advocacy, and continues to use her platform to challenge stigmas surrounding mental illness.
The screening and discussion of Happy Songs About Unhappy Things at ArtsFest Advance! presents an extraordinary opportunity for students, faculty, and the community to engage with Lynette’s work and the critical conversations it inspires.
Don’t miss this chance to experience the artistry and activism of Nikki Lynette firsthand. Join us on March 28 for an evening of powerful storytelling and meaningful dialogue.
For more information about ArtsFest Advance! and other scheduled events, please visit uwlax.edu/vpa.