Welcome to Making Light Productions

Performing Arts for All

Making Light Productions is an inclusive nonprofit performing arts organization in Tallahassee, Florida. We provide theatre, music, dance, visual art, film, technical theatre, private lessons, group classes, summer camps, workshops, and public performances for children, teens, and adults of all abilities.

Founded in 2016 by mothers of people with autism, Making Light was created because every person deserves access to the arts, not only as an audience member, but as a student, performer, artist, technician, volunteer, employee, and community member.

What began as a small garage studio has grown into an 8,300-square-foot arts facility with a black box theatre, dance studio, art studio, classrooms, backstage areas, a homeschool Thespians troupe, and accessible audience seating. Our space supports learning, creativity, performance, connection, and belonging.

At Making Light, inclusion is not a separate program. It is part of how we teach, rehearse, perform, communicate, and welcome people. Our classes and productions bring together students and artists with and without disabilities in a setting where creativity, skill-building, confidence, and belonging all matter.

Our group classes are intentionally small, typically staffed at approximately one teacher for every ten students. This allows instructors to know their students, support individual goals, and make sure no one gets lost in the crowd.

Students come to Making Light to study acting, musical theatre, voice, piano, guitar, ukulele, dance, art, improv, film, technical theatre, production, and backstage skills. They participate through private lessons, group classes, camps, workshops, public productions, sensory-friendly performances, and community events.

Making Light also creates opportunities for teens and adults with disabilities to build real-world skills through the arts, including performance, technical theatre, front-of-house work, classroom support, volunteer opportunities, and paid work experiences.

We believe the arts belong to everyone. Access is not an add-on, a special event, or a separate doorway. It is our mission, our daily practice, and the reason Making Light exists. We invite you to learn, create, perform, volunteer, attend a show, take a class, and help keep the arts open to all.

Comprehensive Arts Education

Arts education has been the focus of Making Light Productions since our founding in 2016. Our programs follow structured curricula and age-appropriate learning goals while giving students practical opportunities to create, rehearse, perform, design, and produce completed work.

Our staff includes licensed music educators and experienced directors, music directors, choreographers, designers, technicians, and teaching artists with specialized knowledge in their fields.

Every Making Light Acting and Musical Theatre class culminates in a fully licensed, fully produced performance. Students experience the complete production process, including instruction and rehearsal, costumes, scenery, props, lighting, sound, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and public performances.

Making Light at a Glance

Founded in 2016
501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
8,300-square-foot arts facility
Black box theatre with accessible seating
Programs for children, teens, and adults
Classes, lessons, camps, workshops, and public performances
Group classes are intentionally small, typically staffed at approximately one teacher for every ten students
Inclusive programming for students and artists with and without disabilities
Sensory-friendly performances and accessibility supports
Performance, backstage, volunteer, and paid work opportunities for teens and adults with disabilities
Scholarships and FES-UA/PEP participation