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. 

Each season, Cal Performances selects a theme with major implications for all facets of life. The Education team then works with an Artist Partner, selected for their expertise in both the performing arts and the chosen theme, as well as a panel of interdisciplinary thought leaders to plan a robust arts-based education program. Each event  is meant to provide a unique lens through which to see and understand the season’s big idea; when taken collectively, the events should create a more holistic understanding of the theme and shed new light on its many implications, both in performance and in our daily lives.