FINAL BOSS level
Dominion Energy Center | May 8, 2027 | 10 AM
You’ve made it to the final level!
After leveling up across communities throughout the region, the Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series heads to Dominion Energy Center for the Final Boss, the grand finale of our 2026/27 season.
Young artists ages 3–18 are invited to take over Dominion Energy Center for a day packed with free visual and performing arts workshops, live performances, and creative experiences with local artists and arts organizations. Explore something new, build your skills, and celebrate everything we’ve unlocked together throughout the season.
FINAL BOSS: THE GRAND FINALE
May 8 | Dominion Energy Center
Completely free!
No cheat codes required. Pre-registration is encouraged to help us plan, but you’re always welcome to press start and show up.
RPAA staff and Lights Up! volunteers will be wearing name tags—please ask them for help at any time. Parents/guardians must remain on site for children ages 13 and under. Students should stay in the building at all times and may only leave with their assigned caretaker. If your child is 14 or older and will be dropped off, please return no later than 12:30 PM for pickup. Parents/guardians are welcome to observe workshops (space permitting). Parents of children ages 3–6 must participate alongside their child.
Your Presence is Your Permission
Photographers and videographers will be capturing each of our Lights Up! events throughout the year. Some media (images/video) may be used in later promotional materials, publications, news releases, or other communications related to the mission of Richmond Performing Arts Alliance. Your presence at the event is seen as your permission for such promotional use by RPAA.
Workshops
Ball & Balloon: A Movement Adventure (Ages 0-3)
Zaira Pulido
Baby Artsplay!™
Let’s delve together into a playful adventure of bouncing, rolling, and flying—full of curiosity, connection, and lighthearted exploration. In this dance experience inspired by the book Ball and Balloon, little ones and their caregivers will explore textures, rhythms, and gentle ways of moving through space, discovering their bodies in a joyful, open-ended way.
The Big Umbrella (Ages 0-3)
Valerie Chinn
Baby Artsplay!™
Come sing, play, and connect with your child in this interactive, weather-themed lesson for ages 0-3 years. No matter what, we all fit under the umbrella!
Blossoms, Bees, & Butterflies (Ages 3-6)
Ali Pfautz
Greater Richmond Wolf Trap
With familiar tunes and steady beats, Wolf Trap teaching artist, Ali Pfautz, offers a high-energy music and movement experience. Children will spring into spring with songs, instruments, and their imaginations.
The Alphabet Jungle (Ages 3-6)
David Watkins
Greater Richmond Wolf Trap
Join ‘Bob the Adventurer’ as he propels the students through a jungle filled with ferocious animals and letters ready to dance and sing and POUNCE! Bring your bravery as we try and conquer the alphabet jungle!
Thrilling Theatre Games! (Ages 7+)
SPARC
Join SPARC for a fun-filled, high-energy theatre workshop tailored for the young performer. We will play improv and theatre games designed to boost creativity and help us work well with others. Whether you’re a seasoned performer or a first timer, this workshop is all about having fun and collaborating with new friends!
Unscripted Fun: Improv Lab (Ages 7+)
Bridge 9 Theater
Sharpen your performance skills with this high-energy improv workshop! Through games we’ll build quick thinking, stage presence, and collaboration. Learn to embrace spontaneity, trust your instincts, and adapt in the moment—essential skills for any creative!
When I move, you move! A Hip-Hop Workshop (Ages 7+)
Great Work RVA (Me’Kel Williams)
Join us for a high energy Hip-Hop dance workshop. We will be working on the fundamentals of preparing, following choreography, and stage presence!
Fantasy Laser Sword (Ages 7+)
The Virginia Stage Combat School
Join us in a Galaxy (not so) Far Away to learn to embrace the ways of Stage Combat! We’ll be learning the way of theatrical sword principles while twirling our favorite light-up toys. Parents are welcome to join along with their Padawans! May the force be with you!
Stage Makeup Workshop: Zombie, Cuts, Bruises (Ages 7+)
Caitlan Phelps
Learn how to create spooky zombie looks with cuts, bruises, and fake blood! This fun, hands-on class teaches basic stage makeup techniques while giving students time to practice and get creative. No experience needed—all materials provided.
The Art of Staying Silly When Scared (12+)
Virginia Repertory Theatre
Auditioning and performing are scary! Luckily, improv holds the key to letting go of those nerves and stepping into the moment! Students will engage with improv principals and games to develop strategies for staying calm and present in performance in the face of stage fright.
Acting for the Screen (Ages 12+)
Cadence
Students will learn how to apply their stage acting skills and terminology for the on-camera performance though interactive, physical activities.
Line Dancing (Ages 12+)
Blk Virginia Theatre Alliance
Line dancing is more than just steps—it’s about feeling strong on your feet and free in your spirit! When we all move together as one, we build a special kind of “dance-floor power” that helps us feel grounded and totally unstoppable. Come express yourself and see how much fun it is to be part of the crew!
Nature Sculptures (All Ages)
Open Space Education
Create one-of-a-kind sculptures and wearable art using elements collected from nature, including leaves, sticks, flowers, and pinecones, along with decorative ribbon and wire.
Let's Make Puppets! (All Ages)
Puppets Off Broad Street
Celebrate spring with colorful butterfly puppets! You will be able to float, flutter, and flit about with your handiwork!
Printmaking Playground: Art with Fruits & Veggies (All Ages)
Thrive Creative Arts
Get ready to turn fruits and veggies into art tools in this playful, hands-on printmaking adventure! Kids will explore patterns, color, and creativity while making vibrant masterpieces.
Performances
RUD Collective Performance
Richmond Urban Dance
A collaboration of pieces performed by our all ages and all skills performance squad, featuring our youth, young adult and senior hip hop dancers, gospel dancers and k-pop dancers.
Don't Try This at Home!
Jesse the Juggler
Join juggler and educator Dr. Jesse Joyner for a whirlwind of corny puns, tricks, and stunts that you should definitely not try at home!
Living History Presentation
Charmaine Crowell-White
A Woman Called Moses, Dramatic Presentation Celebrating the Life of Harriet Tubman
Lo Mejor!
Latin Ballet of Virginia
Lo Mejor! features highlights from our repertoire, bringing together audience favorites in a joyful, interactive performance inspired by Latin and Hispanic dance traditions.
Improv Show
Bridge 9 Theater
Join us for a fun interactive improv comedy performance where YOU help build the show! Come laugh with us!
Lights Up! performances are designed for attendees of all ages to enjoy!
Resource Fair
Bridge 9 Theater
Bridge 9 Theater is a 501 (c) (3) company dedicated to connecting communities through laughter, by providing inclusive and accessible improv education, training, and entertainment. All programs are designed for anyone to feel welcome to laugh, learn, and engage no matter their backgrounds or abilities.
Cadence
The mission of Cadence is to transform and educate our community by developing talent and presenting contemporary theater and film works that uplift the spirit, challenge the mind, and honor both our individuality and shared humanity.
Cadence is known for its acclaimed live theatrical productions, award-winning films, and pioneering initiatives to develop and support new work for the stage and screen, such as the Pipeline New Works Fellowship Program, led by notable figures such as Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Lindsay-Abaire and New York Times best-selling novelist and screenwriter Clay McLeod Chapman.
Latin Ballet of Virginia
The Latin Ballet of Virginia is a professional dance company and school of dance, providing multicultural dance programs, instruction and performances for a diverse community. The Company is Central Virginia’s pre-eminent Hispanic dance company, performing throughout the State and at select venues in North and South America.
SPARC
SPARC programs provide transformative performing arts education to nearly 1,500 students each year. Through Creative Youth Development initiatives, SPARC’s highly skilled teaching artists intentionally integrate the arts with youth development principles. Students discover their creativity and build critical learning and life skills that carry into adulthood.
Thrive Creative Arts
Virginia Repertory Theatre
Interested in Volunteering?
Volunteers for the Genworth Lights Up! Youth Series Grand Finale will help with set up, greeting, on-site registration, clean up, and general logistics on the day of the event. Interested in volunteering your time? Click the button below to sign up!
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