2024–25 Season

Illuminations: “Fractured History”

Illuminations connects groundbreaking UC Berkeley scholarship to themes taken up by the world-class music, dance, and theater presented by Cal Performances. Illuminations programming, which includes performances, panel discussions, lecture demonstrations, Q&As, and more, sheds light on pressing topics with the power to transform our understanding of the world and shape the future.

Our understanding of history is neither static nor complete; rather, it is dynamic and ever-changing due to the malleability of our collective memory. Examining the evolution of our historical narratives often entails reevaluating our collective understanding of the truth, and finding new sources and voices with the potential to add layers to our understanding. Through this year’s theme of “Fractured History”, we aim to explore and expand our understanding of the past. In partnership with campus thought leaders, Illuminations performances and public programs investigate what gets lost when we abridge complex events, how we might “zoom out” to be more inclusive in historical perspective, and what role the arts can play in restoring nuance to the way we view our past, present, and future.

Through performances and public programs presented in cooperation with our many partners at UC Berkeley, Illuminations will empower us to explore the tensions that come into play while balancing the interests of the individual with the interest of the group.