Internationally recognized as a groundbreaking theatre artist and social activist, Joan Lipkin uses performance and civic engagement, creating events and dialogues about the most pressing issues of our time including racial justice, LGBTQIA experience, gun sense, climate change, reproductive choice and immigration reform.

Many of her projects focus on health and wellness initiatives in community and campus settings.  She has worked with diverse populations including LGBTQIA youth, adults, and their families, cancer survivors, people in recovery, communities of faith, women who have been sexually trafficked, adults with dementia, and inner city youth. She also founded numerous projects such as the DisAbility Project, Playback Now St. Louis, We (HEART) Immigrants, Climate Change Theatre Action St. Louis, The AC/DC Series, and Dance The Vote.

She is an expert on rapid response theatre and has contributed to or produced several national projects including Every 28 Hours, After Orlando and Climate Change Theatre Action.  Some of her awards include the Bravely Award, ATHE Award for Leadership in Community-based Theatre and Civic Engagement, Ethical Humanist of the Year, Visionary Award, Arts Innovator of the Year, and Women of Achievement.