TYA/USA‘s 2026 “ILLUMINATE” Festival to Showcase Innovative Theater for Young Audiences
Registration is now open for the 2026 Theatre for Young Audiences/USA (TYA/USA) National Festival and Conference, “ILLUMINATE,” taking place May 27-29, 2026, in collaboration with the alliance Theatre in Atlanta. This annual event represents the largest gathering of leaders, educators, artists, and organizations dedicated to the field of theatre for young audiences. “together we’ll celebrate the courage to create and question, engage with the urgent questions facing our field, and spark the collective energy needed to envision a brighter, more equitable world for all young audiences,” stated a TYA/USA representative. the partnership with the alliance Theatre, recognized as a leading force in TYA, underscores the event’s commitment to excellence.
the all-ages festival will feature a diverse lineup of 13 performances,ranging from immersive experiences designed for the very youngest attendees to compelling new plays and musicals for teens and families. A central focus will be placed on intergenerational storytelling and fostering a sense of community connection. The festival will once again coincide with the Woodruff Art Center’s “Toddler Takeover,” expanding opportunities for early childhood engagement.
Notably, the festival will premiere performances from the inaugural TYA/USA and Alliance Theatre for the Very Young Development Program, including Helping Hands, created by Jack Romans and Cameryn Richardson. Additional “Toddler Takeover” works include Birthday of the World by Jonathan Shmidt Chapman, inspired by the work of Dr.rachel Naomi Remen; Rhythm & Thread by Andrea Washington, with music by Eugene H. Russell, IV, honoring the legacy of Faith Ringgold and Marquetta Johnson; DINOSAUR!, a creation by Olivia Aston Bosworth and Samantha Provenzano; and RAIN: for babies and their care, a production by Filament Theatre with Threshold.
Beyond these early childhood offerings, the festival program includes the Alliance Theatre’s TYA productions of Into the Burrow: A Peter Rabbit Tale by Mark Valdez and The Great Ant Sleepover by Madhuri Shekar, Christian Magby, and Christian Albright. Attendees can also anticipate the immersive play LISTEN by West Hyler, featuring the Alliance’s teen ensemble, and the new musical Young John Lewis by Psalmayene 24 and eugene Russell IV. Rounding out the performance schedule are The Stinky Cheese Man and Other fairly Stupid Tales from Atlanta’s center for Puppetry Arts, and staged readings from the ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence writers and Sankofa: The SuperHero Project by Gloria Bond Clunie.
The festival extends beyond performances, offering 21 breakout sessions led by prominent TYA leaders. These sessions will provide opportunities for professional development, idea exchange, and advocacy within the field. Three panels will be hosted by the TYA/USA Research and Scholarship Working group, dedicated to advancing and diversifying research that measures the impact of theatre programming. session topics include “Commercial Producing and Nonprofit partnerships in TYA,” “Playing the Long Game: Building Sustainable Partnerships Between Universities and TYA Theatres,” and “Spreading Wonder: Theater for the Very Young as a Tool for Community impact.”
Festival attendees will also enjoy the annual “Song Slam” cabaret, showcasing new musical compositions for young audiences, music directed by Deborah Wicks La Puma.A joint awards ceremony with the Children’s theatre Foundation of america will recognize recipients of the CTFA’s Orlin Corey Medallion Award, and also TYA/USA’s Harold Oaks Award for Sustained Excellence in TYA, TYA Artistic innovation Award, and TYA Community Impact Award.
The festival underscores the vital role of theatre in fostering creativity, critical thinking, and empathy in young audiences, while simultaneously supporting the growth and sustainability of the TYA field.
