Illusion Theater and School, Inc.

Giving Voice to Young People

Illusion’s arts education programs do more than just teach young people about theater. They help students learn important social emotional learning (SEL) skills to help them be more successful in school, socially and academically. Participating in the arts also teaches basic life skills such as how to collaborate in a group, showing up on time, being prepared, having a positive attitude about what they’re doing and helping others with whom they work. Perhaps even more important, Illusion’s arts education programs give students a platform for examining the world around them and determining what’s important. Giving voice to their specific needs and concerns is empowering and helps them grow.  It fosters a sense of awareness, commitment and ownership in making the world a better place.  Listen as several young people describe what they've learned in working with Illusion artist/educators.

Please show your support. Your gift will be matched, 1:1, by an anonymous donor!

Lingering Effect of COVID Isolation on Teens

Since our founding in 1974, Illusion has maintained a laser focus on using theater and theater arts education to catalyze positive social and cultural change. While COVID infections seem to be on the decline and we’re able to gather in person again, it remains and unsettling time for many students. They see it in themselves, they see it in their friends, they see it in the world around them. 

Feedback from Illusion’s Student Advisory Board – a group of students from across the state who advise Illusion on its programming – tells us that these lingering effects of COVID are not limited to any one group of students in any one socio-economic category in any one part of our state. It’s affecting youth throughout the state -- urban, suburban and rural. Our arts programs help students cope with these issues by giving voice to their needs and a platform for those voices to be heard.

Matched dollar-for-dollar, your gift helps us provide arts education to hundreds of underserved youth across Minnesota. 

The Courage to be Heard

It’s often difficult for young people – especially those who have been historically underserved – to have the confidence to speak their minds. They are bombarded from every side by mass marketing, advertisements, social media, their friends, family, etc., on how they should think, what they should say, and how they should feel. Illusion’s arts education programs gives them the space and means to understand how they personally think and feel, and helps give them the confidence they’ll need to express themselves.   

Your donation will make a difference. Please support us today!

You can be part of the solution. Help our most underserved BIPOC and rural youth by donating now and helping Illusion continue to provide high quality arts education programs to schools and youth-oriented organizations throughout the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota including: