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Ang Madaline-Johnson

@angmadalinejohnson

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I’m always amazed at the process of putting together a piece of theatre. What starts as words on a page and an empty rehearsal room evolves into a group of artists using their talents to breathe life into the characters on the page. Artists from ALL different walks of life and experiences come together to tell this story to a group of audiences.

And at Backlight, we perform INCLUSIVE art so artists of ALL abilities get to be featured on-stage and work together to bring that story to life.

Inclusive theatre is truly magic and the BEST way to approach telling a story.

Video footage taken from our first read through of CLUE performing February 20th & 21st.

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We’re incredibly honored to be named Best Special Needs Theatre Program by the Williamson Scene! 🎭❤️ @williamsonscene

A very special thank you to Amy Stumpfl (@amystumpfl) for this wonderful recognition and for shining a light on the importance of inclusive theatre. We’re so grateful! ❤️

“I’ve always believed that theater has the power to shape and change our lives. And there are few organizations that better exemplify that notion than Backlight Productions. Established in 2011, this remarkable nonprofit enables individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to shine in integrated and inclusive performances. From theater and music to improv comedy, dance and more, Backlight participants enjoy a variety of programs. Each is designed to boost confidence and creativity while enhancing important social skills. Best of all, Backlight provides a much-needed sense of community, purpose and belonging to some of the area’s most inspiring artists.“ - Amy Stumpfl, Williamson Scene, August 2026

And our Backlight artists reactions to seeing themselves featured in media & print? Priceless! ✨

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Today, we're thrilled to shine a spotlight on Backlight Arts Administrator & Instructor, Ang Madaline-Johnson! ⭐

You've seen her this past year assisting on-stage in both The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe & The Sound of Music.

Ang has taught creative classes to students ages 5-70. Over the last 25 years, Ang has performed Off-Broadway and in regional theatres throughout the US, including Nashville Shakespeare Festival & Nashville Repertory Theatre. You may also have spotted her on TV or online, in a variety of commercial and industrial spots. She is the proud mother of Murphy & Mack & wife to Mike.

Backlight Artist, Brandt, affectionately nicknamed Ang, "Dr. Ang" and the nickname has stuck. Ang approaches every task she takes on with unwavering commitment, embodying the standard for the quality and professionalism we value at Backlight.

We're so thankful to have Dr. Ang as a member of our team! ❤

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One of my favorite theatre experiences every year is the Backlight Productions “New Works” show.

This year, six Backlight artists wrote incredible one act plays, brought to life by a group of Nashville theater pro’s.

The range of writing was incredible!

We saw love stories, murder mysteries, crazy comedies, animation scripts, and everything in between.

My favorite part of the show every year is the talk back with the playwrights after the performances. Such an incredible glimpse into the minds and imaginations of artists. (Congrats to Zach on his wardrobe selections for both playwright conversations!🤣)

Bravo to all!

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Our Backlight Playwrights created original stories and memorable characters. Now, we're proud to introduce the talented actors bringing them to life.

We're grateful to this cast for sharing their time and talents in collaboration with our playwrights. Their thoughtful work has given these new plays a voice and a presence that audiences won't forget!

Join us for this one-of-a-kind staged reading and celebrate all of the artists behind these new works.

Join us THIS Saturday at 2pm.
Ticket Link 🎟️ in Bio!

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There’s just something so special about working on original works and bringing them to life for the first time… our Backlight New Works Play Festival is truly unlike any other theatrical event you’ll experience.

Getting to witness the world premiere of these plays, seeing our Playwrights watch their works come to life, and hear from them in the interview portion- it’s an event you don’t want to miss.

Join us this Saturday. ❤️

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It’s official. Summertime is the best season for rehearsing New Plays.

Backlight Artists spent last semester imagining worlds and writing their own unique One Act Play. And this Summer, local professional actors have joined the creative team to help bring these innovative stories to life.

Join us THIS Saturday at 2pm
Location: Christ Presbyterian Academy’s Black Box
Ticket Link in Bio! 🎟️✨👏

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This past semester, we structured our New Works Playwright class differently. We invited local professional actors to classes early on to workshop the plays as they were being written.

By inviting actors to participate earlier on, the actors got to share their feedback and help our playwrights in the development process. It was very informative for our writers and the actors had so much fun!!

And guess what? ALL the actors who participated in those earlier readings (some pictured here with a group of our Playwrights) will be joining us for our upcoming New Works Festival! One of our actors will even be journeying across state lines to participate... (Thank you, Morgan! 🚗💖)

That is a testimony to the stories our Backlight playwrights have crafted. These are stories worth telling, stories that will make you laugh and transport you.

Just like our actors/collaborators, you won't want to miss it.

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In Backlight’s inclusive Sound of Music cast, artists with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) will perform alongside professional artists from the Nashville Opera @nashvilleopera —proving that creativity has no limits and talent knows no labels!

This is so much more than a performance…

When we create together, we build a space where EVERYONE belongs. And that impact doesn’t stop at the curtain call—it carries into our communities and beyond. 💛

Sound of Music will take place May 30th & May 31st at 2pm. Tickets on sale now! Link in Bio & at BacklightProductions.org

#inclusiveart #inclusionmatters

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We finally gave in and hopped on this trend… and we’re so glad we did...

Scroll to see our staff as kids — as you'll see from the pics, it’s no surprise they all grew up to find their way into the arts. 😄

If we could tell our younger selves anything, it would be this: “Just wait… one day you’re going to grow up and land exactly where you’re meant to be — working with the best theatre company in the world, supporting the most talented and deserving artists out there. You'll get to be apart of something truly special.” ❤️

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We had so much fun celebrating our recent production of The Lion, the Witch, & the Wardrobe by hanging out all together at The Factory! @thefactoryatfranklin

To make things even sweeter, we extend a special thank you to Five Daughters Bakery for providing us with tasty celebration-worthy dessert! @five_daughters_bakery

We ended the evening by taking in the beautiful night sky and toasting each of our Ensemble Members. What a close knit cast this was and will forever be ❤️🥂Grateful for time together outside performance spaces. Social gatherings like this remind us of the importance of participating in the Arts- forming friendships that extend beyond the stage.

#castparty #foreverfriends #fornarnia #fivedaughtersbakery #cheers

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