In 2012, Jennifer Keating taught a dozen homeschoolers, never imagining it would explode into a thriving community. By 2013, 15 eager students hit the stage at Tolman High School in Pawtucket for Singin' in the Rain, and illuminate's theatrical journey officially began.
We are on a mission to provide exceptional, enriching, accessible, wholesome, family-friendly opportunities in every aspect of the arts in an atmosphere that allows students to discover and pursue their potential.
We’ve built our programming on three core pillars, designed to accommodate all skill levels from preschool age to young adult.
The Scaffold: LEARN + GROW + SHINE
Discover illuminate theatrical + arts company
Don't just take our word for it
"We’ve been with the company from the beginning. My daughter literally did everything. Shows, classes, outreach, script writing, student teacher. Looking back, the opportunities illuminate offered her were the catalyst to her college path and future career. The chance to not only star on the stage but write actual scripts led her to pursue that in college. She can attest to being ahead of her peers because of all she was able to experience at illuminate." - Traci (parent)
"There are so many ways to find your place in this company…. My youngest son (13) Enjoyed the junior productions, but being on stage is not his thing. Then he found TIP crew (backstage crew) and loved it! He found his place working with tools, creating sets, learning about the lights and being a part of a crew of kids and adults. Illuminate has given our family a place to express ourselves artfully, build friendships, cultivate life skills, serve our local community and be apart of a company that strives to keep opening doors for the whole family." - Kerryanne (parent)
"illuminate differentiates itself by running throughout the year, offering free community programs (such as an innovative day-long Shakespeare in the Skatepark festival in Attleboro’s Balfour Riverpark), and opening its arms to students with a range of abilities. It is clear that the organization is committed to establishing a strong family that works toward the greater good for both its students and the community at large." - Mim (community member)
LEARN
We don't just put on plays; we run a comprehensive arts education program. Whether you are looking for daytime enrichment for homeschoolers, after-school programming, or intensive school vacation camps, we offer a massive variety of classes tailored to every age—from preschool through high school.
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Our students can dive deep into multiple creative departments, including:
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Performance Arts: Acting, Dance, and Vocal/Choir
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Visual & Creative Arts: Hands-on classes exploring different artistic mediums.
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Theatrical Production: Directing, Music Direction, Choreography, and Stage Management.
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Technical Arts: Theatre Technology, encompassing Set Construction, Lighting, and Sound Design.
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Arts Administration & Media: Exploring the business and promotional side of the arts
Educational Excellence
LOCATIONS
illuminate is truly a community organization. We meet in various shared spaces throughout the Attleboro, MA area.
Centenary United Methodist Church
15 Sanford St. Attleboro, MA
Double ACS TV
42 Union St, Attleboro, MA
Attleboro Community Theatre
71 N. Main St. Attleboro, MA
Tolman High School Theatre
150 Exchange St. Pawtucket, RI
GROW
Theater is a massive collaborative machine, and we educate our students on every single aspect of production. At illuminate, students don't just perform; they build the show.
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We offer competitively priced classes and workshops that fit seamlessly into family schedules.
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Students get hands-on technical experience—designing the lighting, operating the lighting board, building the sets, and painting. They aren't just the talent; they are the crew.
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We put our training into practice on stage. Our past mainstage hits include Matilda, Cinderella, Footloose, Mary Poppins, Newsies, Beauty and the Beast, The Wiz, Singin' in the Rain, and The Wizard of Oz.
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Since our 2021 expansion, our High School and Middle School divisions have brought Annie Jr, Shrek, Frozen Jr, Newsies Jr, Spongebob Family, and The Wizard of Oz to life.
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We also run high-energy "shows in a week" during school vacations and dedicated junior productions for our elementary-age kids.
Beyond the Spotlight
SHINE
We don't just teach the arts; we train leaders. We provide robust opportunities for our students to use their gifts to serve the community and step into a variety of leadership roles.
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Our High School students take the reins to assistant direct, stage manage, music direct, and choreograph our Middle School shows.
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Interns actively assist with Team Illuminate, bringing Junior, Middle School and High School productions to the finish line.
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Our student leaders gain invaluable real-world experience through mentoring and teaching assistant roles across our various classes
Leadership in Action
Our Story: From a Dozen to a Dynasty
We earned our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status as A Work in Progress (AWIP) in 2015. After pushing through a global pandemic and experiencing massive, sustained growth, we officially rebranded as illuminate theatrical + arts company in 2020. Because our student body was booming, we evolved further: in 2021, we launched dedicated High School and Middle School mainstage productions to ensure every student gets the spotlight and the specific mentorship they need.
Students enrolled
The Impact: By the Numbers
120
420
25
0
Enrollments in classes and productions
hours dedicated by community and outreach teams to serving the local community
interns stepping up in our student leadership program
We don't just put on plays; we build a community. This past year alone, we saw:
With Founding and Executive Director Jennifer Keating and our dedicated Board of Directors at the helm, we are constantly looking toward the future. Right now, our vision is laser-focused on our vital partnership with the Union Theatre Revival campaign, as we continue to expand our offerings to meet the needs of our community.