iLUMINATE Celebrates First Anniversary at New World Stages Today

iLUMINATE, the Off-Broadway smash spectacle (formerly titled Artist of Light), celebrates its one-year anniversary today, July 18th at New World Stages. iLuminate wowed the nation with their groundbreaking light suits and innovative dance moves on NBC's "America's Got Talent," where the dance-in-the-dark sensation was selected as one of the hit show's top finalists after judge Piers Morgan called them "The Best New Act in America!"

Music, art, dance, and the technological magic of iLuminate brings this extraordinary spectacle to the New York stage, combining mythical elements with adventure and romance, told through dance styles which include contemporary, hip-hop, Latin, and breaking, all using the power of light.

iLUMINATE follows the fantastical journey of Jacob, a talented young artist who struggles to connect with the real world. He takes comfort in his magical paintbrush, which grants him the power to turn the characters of his imagination into living, breathing creatures. When a jealous townsperson steals the paintbrush and turns his endearing creations into horrifying monsters, Jacob must face this danger without the help of his miraculous instrument. He fights to save his town and friends, even as he knows that the paintbrush which brought him so much joy is now a weapon in the hands of a malevolent villain bent on destruction.

The creative team for iLUMINATE includes Miral Kotb (Director, Choreographer, Author), Athena Sunga (Co-Author), Justin "Kanobby" Keitt (Composer/Musical Director), Christopher Tignor (Composer), John "JRock" Nelson (Choreographer, Scenic & Costume Designer), Dario Mejia (Choreographer), Marcus Allan Cobb (Choreographer, Costume Designer), Dean Hopkins (Technical Director), Rick Sordelet & Christian Kelly-Sordelet (Fight Directors), and Franzblau Media, Inc. (Executive Producer).

iLUMINATE Creator Miral Kotb entered the world of mobile application development after landing a coveted gig as a senior software engineer at Bloomberg, LP. As she combined her fascination with programming along with dance and movement, the initial idea behind iLuminate emerged: The ability to wirelessly control lights on dancers' bodies from the palm of your hand. Kotb consulted with some of the best hardware and software engineers in the industry to help bring her technological dream to life. Composer/Musical Director Justin "Kanobby" Keitt is best known as the musical director for hip-hop group sensation Far East Movement. Kanobby has produced songs for music icons Snoop Dogg, Quincy Jones and John Legend, and also wrote the musical score for Snoop Dogg & Wiz Khalifa's film Mac & Devin Go to High School. Composer Christopher Tignor's work as a multi-instrumentalist, composer, and interactive software engineer is best known through his releases with his bands Slow Six, Wires.Under.Tension and under his own name, across numerous LP's and compilations on the Western Vinyl and New Albion labels. As a touring musician, orchestral arranger, and Avant composer, Tignor has played venues as diverse as Carnegie Hall and the Mercury Lounge. Fight Director Rick Sordelet has 62 Broadway shows to his credit including The Lion King, Beauty and the Beast, Urinetown, Aida, Titanic, The Addams Family, The Scarlet Pimpernel, The Little Mermaid, Curtains, and A Raisin in the Sun w/Denzel Washington.

iLuminate Productions is an entertainment company that combines state-of-the-art technology with electrifying entertainers dancing in the dark to create the ultimate performing arts experience. Founded by dancer and software engineer Miral Kotb, iLuminate enables performers, choreographers, technicians, and artistic directors to produce explosive performances with customized wireless lighting programs. The results are extraordinary effects choreographed with phenomenal dance moves that take viewers on an exhilarating ride. Since launching in 2009, iLuminate's patent-pending technology has been used in numerous performances by Grammy-winning superstars such as Chris Brown, Christina Aguilera and The Black Eyed Peas. iLuminate's first televised performance was on the BET Awards as part of Chris Brown's Michael Jackson tribute.

The performance schedule for iLUMINATE is Monday & Wednesday evenings at 7pm, Thursday through Saturday evenings at 8pm, with matinees Wednesday at 2pm, Saturday at 2:30pm and Sunday at 3pm at New World Stages, 340 West 50th Street.