- Jul 6
- 2 min read
where students learn to find their voice - and sing out loud!
For the next few weeks, we will be releasing short videos featuring our incredible choirs as part of their prelude concert, when they opened for "Spongebob, Youth Edition" in April 2025. These videos will be on our YouTube and Facebook channels and you don't want to miss them. We kick things off with "The Star Spangled Banner" sung with more harmonies than you may have thought possible!
Cassie Hanudel has worked hard over the past 7 years or so to build up the choir program to what it is today. When you combine all three sections, there's nearly 60 kids enrolled, all singing their hearts out. Many are students who never thought they'd ever sing in public! Miss Cassie has a way of drawing out clear, confident voices from among even the shyest of students.
Our Choir program is currently part of our homeschooling options, but we hope that, once the Union Theatre opens, we will be able to expand these offerings to ALL-schoolers so that more voices can be heard singing loud and clear.
These videos were completely captured and edited by our student-led Media Team, which is another aspect of the arts that students can pursue at illuminate, and you will notice our interns assisting with the youngest choir, as part of our internship program. There are so many ways to explore the arts and not enough ways to get the word out about these opportunities!
Please be aware that registration fees will increase on July 15, and again in August. Register early to grab your spot at the best pricing!
To learn more about all of these programs, go to illuminateartsco.com
Enjoy the harmonies throughout July - we hope they are uplifting and inspiring!
~Jennifer Keating, Director
- Jun 19
- 4 min read
Greetings, illuminate families old and new! Welcome to the community and thank you for signing up for your first (or 13th!) year with us. With 12 years under our belt, it's safe to say that this is a very good thing indeed.
This year, separate from our "Year 13 Bulletin Boards" which will give specific updates regarding classes, admin notes, and events, we will periodically send "community updates" that will just get back to the basics: families who are trying their hardest to raise kids who are creative, compassionate, and community-minded. While we are still predominately made up of homeschooling families, the After School classes and productions are growing in momentum. Soon, as we take residence at The Union Theatre, those opportunities will expand.
For this first update, we wanted to make you aware of our new Community Hub on the website: a place where you can find everything illuminate, from your Parent Portal and schedule to the general calendar, tickets, and even recent orders from the store. Just go to our website and click "login" on the top right corner to create an account and access this hub.
We also wanted you to hear from one of our longtime volunteers, Emily Belli, who recently spoke at our Annual Progress Show about the benefits of volunteering.
Emily Belli - illuminate family since 2018
The Belli Family joined illuminate in 2018 and despite their hour-long drive from the Boston area, dove headfirst into classes, productions, and internships. You may know Emily as one of our friendly Front Desk greeters, helping with the check-in process and answering any questions you might have. But what you may not know is that Emily has been running our highly successful Playbill Drives since 2020 and joined our Board of Directors last year, assisting with Sponsorships, the website, merchandise at times, and our new Membership/Community initiative. Emily has graduated Miriam (class of 2023) and Josiah (class of 2025) and will be around for a while as Judah, Ezra, and Evangeline are incredibly active in our classes, internships, and productions! Here is what Emily had to share about our re-vamping of Committees. Entering Year 13, we will no longer have a Booster Committee, but instead, we will have a few folks on a revised Membership Committee who will filter volunteers into different teams (such as the Prom Team, Broadway Dance Team, etc). Here's what she had to say:
Why Volunteer?
"We are revamping the way we do committees a little bit- making it a little more event or job specific- so volunteering will not be tied to a committee like booster, finance etc. it will now be funneled through The Membership Committee - that will point people to the right place - which may be one specific thing like planning a picnic, or a cast party, helping coordinate t-shirts, building supervision, plan a prom, organizing a Krispy Kreme fundraiser (just ideas!). The emphasis is less 'joining a committee' and more signing up to do one event, one fundraiser, one small task.
So, why should you volunteer??? I get it- you’re homeschooling parent, and like me you may be juggling multiple things- working, multiple kids, church life or other volunteering responsibilities.
Years ago, during our first season at illuminate, while recruiting me to volunteer to help with the Playbill, one of the moms said to me “you won’t regret spending this time with your kids.”
Now, I’m the mom of two graduated with 3 more to go- encouraging you that you won’t regret the time doing this with them. Homeschooling can be isolating but there is a great community of families here- laboring together to provide our kids with amazing opportunities.
Volunteering at illuminate has given me opportunities to use gifts and skills from my time before homeschooling, relationships for not just my kids, but for me too.
I have loved getting to know the other kids that my kids are learning alongside- and an unexpected perk of volunteering at illuminate is that I’ve made my own friends!
When I started volunteering I had 5 kids under 12 and a busy life of responsibilities, but I am so glad I have invested the time alongside my kids in this community. The years go quickly and this season will be over before you know it. So this is my encouragement as a fellow parent— as was said to me—jump in and be involved- you won’t regret the time you spend with your kids.
Whatever your skills are, if you have a lot of time or just a little - there are needs and opportunities for you to learn, grow, and shine!"
Without volunteers, we will cancel the social gatherings many have grown to love at illuminate - the dances, cast parties, and things like the hoped-for picnics and parenting support groups. Let's build this community together!
We hope you have a wonderful summer and look forward to Year 13 being filled with teams working together to create the community we all crave.
Cheers and thanks,
Jennifer Keating, Director
a 501(c)3 company
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 8
There are many ways to be a part of this exciting festival. Plus, see who's already planning to be there! And it's all FREE, thanks to the Mass Cultural Council!
Two years ago when we embarked on our mission to bring a free Shakespeare festival to Balfour Park in Attleboro, we had no idea what we were getting into - and we also had no idea how much FUN it would be! Audiences were thrilled with the performance and the festive atmosphere. We can't wait to do it all again, 70s retro style! Here's what to expect and how to get involved:
Be Part of the Performance- Onstage or Backstage!
Illuminate is running two one-week workshops for those who want to perform in the festival: Shakespeare KIDS and Much Ado About Nothing. This one-week workshops is a fun, energetic week where we dive into the hilarious characters and plotlines that Shakespeare is renowned for, using improv games and scene study techniques. We weave DANCING throughout - fun, 70s style choreography this year - to add an extra element of entertainment to the performance. We make Shakespeare accessible and understandable to our students. The festival itself is a performance experience unlike any other!
Would you rather work on props, costumes, or set design? We've lined up a workshop just for you! Be part of the 70s retro magic by making it come alive with backstage arts!
Here are the details for performers
June 23-27, performance on June 28
@10-12: SHAKESPEARE KIDS (ages 6-12)
@12:30-4:30: MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING (ages 13-18)
Location: Attleboro downtown (confirming)
Here are the details for "Behind the Scenes" opportunities
June 24-26, optional to assist on June 28
1:00-4:00
Location: Attleboro downtown (confirming)
Check out who is part of the lineup for the day!
Roundabout Productions is joining us once again with scenes from their current production of "As You Like It!" Their productions are fantastic and you'll be thrilled with this clever show.
The Unlikely Strummers are joining us this year for the first time! Their beloved group tours all over the area with an incredible ukulele "orchestra" playing hits you can sing along with.
The Slater Perk Cafe Food Truck will be on hand to serve our audience and festival-goers with their coffee, sandwiches, and desserts.
All of this combined with collaborators who have already been confirmed: The Attleboro Industrial Museum, The Attleboro Arts Museum, and check out the exhibit already on display at the Attleboro Public Library. Thank you to all of these community partners for supporting the arts!
If you are part of the illuminate community and you want to be part of the fun, reach out to us at info@illuminateartsco.com. A festival like this cannot run without support and we appreciate you!
Don't miss this incredible event that is FREE for the whole family on June 28. Bring your chairs and blankets and we will see you there!
