WHO WE ARE
ABOUT
A movement reshaping Nigeria's cultural landscape by harnessing the power of dance and theatre
WHY WE EXIST
Our Purpose
Illuminatetheatre is a movement reshaping Nigeria's cultural landscape by bringing dance and theatre into public spaces to make the arts free, dynamic, and inclusive.
Through workshops, performances, and community engagement, we empower youth, celebrate African heritage, and mentor socially conscious leaders.
We envision a vibrant Nigeria where performance art thrives in everyday life, with street corners, parks, and markets as stages for cultural expression.
By harnessing the power of dance and theatre, we aim to inspire personal growth, strengthen community ties, and redefine how Africans experience and share their artistic narratives.
WHAT GUIDES US
Our Values
YOUTH
EMPOWERMENT
Enabling youth to develop their artistic voice and critical thinking to become creators of change
CREATIVITY &
INNOVATION
Experimenting with hybrid forms, improvisation, and new expressions & pushing artistic boundaries
COMMUNITY
ORGANIZATION
Training future leaders to address local challenges, foster community, and inspire collective action
CULTURAL
HERITAGE
Rooting our practice in African performance, knowledge, and movement. Preserving & reinterpreting ancestral wisdom.
SOCIAL
CHANGE
Using art as a tool for social transformation to amplify marginalized voices in public spaces
GLOBAL
SOLIDARITY
Connecting communities across Africa and its diaspora. Fostering shared imagination and collaboration.
WHAT WE OFFER
Our Programs
01
Artistic Creation & Research
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Supporting bold interdisciplinary work in theatre, dance, multimedia, and visual arts.
02
Youth Training & Mentorship
Providing workshops and guidance for young artists to develop voice, leadership, and critical thinking.
03
Community-Based Interventions
Delivering site-specific performances and public art projects co-created with communities.
04
Decolonial Learning Spaces
Building alternative educational experiences rooted in indigenous knowledge and collective inquiry.
05
Collaboration & Exchange
Facilitating residencies, festivals, and partnerships that expand dialogue and shared practice.
Our Formats
WHOM WE REACH
Our Impact
Since our founding, we have engaged over 10,000 young Africans through participatory artistic projects across Nigeria and internationally.
10,000+
YOUNG PEOPLE ENGAGED
500+
ACTIVE PARTICIPANTS
50+
PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED
Our approach centers on co-creation: using performance to activate public spaces, amplify young voices, and build relationships rooted in cultural memory, dialogue, and creative resistance. From street corners and parks in Nigeria to international festivals abroad, we foster sustainable collaborations that create lasting change.
WHERE WE COME FROM
Our Story
Born from a shared dream in Lagos, Nigeria, our journey began with a simple yet profound desire: to wield art as a tool for change.
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Facing a Nigerian cultural scene where public performances were rare and costly, and access to spaces limited by privatization, we were determined to use dance to speak to the nation's realities. For us, dance transcended performance—it was a powerful means of communication, education, and empowerment.
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We relentlessly brought dance projects directly to people, transforming streets, parks, and open areas into vibrant stages for creativity and connection.
Over the years, Illuminatetheatre has blossomed into something far bigger. What began as a small group of idealistic artists seeking their path has become a vibrant, international collective that continually inspires, challenges, and engages audiences in ways we never thought possible.
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"Illuminatetheatre is no longer just an idea; it's a force of change."
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Our journey is far from over. We're still evolving, learning, and growing, yet one thing remains constant: our unwavering commitment to making a difference.
WHO LEADS US
Our Team
A collective of artists, educators, and organizers dedicated to transforming communities through the power of performance.
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Ojudun Taiwo Jacob
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Artistic Director/ Co-Founder
Olowu Busayo
Choreographer/ Co-Founder
Adebakin Adedoyin Blessing
Artistic Director
Ayoola Odubona
PR & Communications
Enechukwu Emmanuel Uche
Project Manager/ Co-Founder