illuminatetheatre
productions
Who We are
Illuminatetheatre is a non-profit creative lab based in Lagos, dedicated to empowering young people through experimental, multidisciplinary art. We foster a collaborative space where youth and professionals co-create socially engaged performances that blend African traditions with contemporary forms. Our projects, developed and showcased in public spaces, address critical social and political issues, amplifying marginalized voices and sparking community dialogue. Rooted in equality and mentorship, we nurture the next generation of artists to lead cultural innovation locally and beyond.
What We Do
Since our founding, we’ve worked closely with young people from Lagos’s slums to develop and produce community-driven artistic projects. These performances blend body memory, sound, text, and unique materials to convey powerful social and political messages. Our projects are presented in public spaces to ensure accessibility and spark meaningful conversations. By combining traditional African methods with contemporary forms, we create innovative works that challenge norms and connect local stories to global audiences.
Why We Create
Illuminatetheatre is a non-profit, multidisciplinary creative lab based in Lagos, driven by a deep commitment to empowering young people through experimental, community-rooted art. We believe in the power of creativity to spark dialogue, shift narratives, and inspire change. Our work begins with the question: how can performance shape a more just and inclusive society?
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Founded as a collective of professional theatre practitioners, we foster a collaborative space where youth and artists co-create socially engaged performances that blend African traditions with contemporary forms. Our public space projects are designed to amplify marginalized voices and bring urgent social and political issues into everyday community life.
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We draw inspiration from African traditional modes of public engagement—infused with movement, memory, sound, and material experimentation—to craft storytelling that educates, provokes, and connects. Through this fusion, we aim to build new performance languages that transcend boundaries and resonate globally.
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At the heart of our work is a democratic, youth-led process. Our collective structure is rooted in equality, mentorship, and shared ownership. Young people take on key creative and technical roles—director, playwright, choreographer, dramaturg, producer—guided by experienced mentors. This model equips them to grow as independent artists, critical thinkers, and facilitators of cultural dialogue.
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In a time when community spaces are disappearing across Nigeria, we create alternative environments for learning, empowerment, and reflection. Our performances and curated practices offer platforms for urgent local stories to be seen, heard, and honored. From the slums of Lagos to global stages, we use performance as a tool for social transformation.
Through initiatives like the Art Mobile Lagos Festival and international exchanges, we continue to cultivate youth leadership, artistic innovation, and cross-cultural collaboration. For us, art is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. It is how we question, how we build, and how we imagine new futures.