Lighting The Way: An Interview with Erin & Emma Ashley of Lamppost Theatrical Arts Company

Lamppost Theatrical Arts Company is a community theatre rooted in a love for storytelling, creativity, and connection—and its beginnings stretch back far earlier than its official founding in 2025. What started as Emma Ashley’s lifelong passion for theatre slowly grew into a vision for something more: a place where creativity could flourish, families could gather, and artists could experience every facet of a production.

In what Erin and Emma Ashley describe as perfect timing, the opportunity to secure a building arrived just as Emma was graduating and their homeschool journey was coming to a close. The pieces fell into place naturally, marking the start of Lamppost as both a theatre company and a creative home for the community.

At its core, Lamppost was created to meet a growing need. As many local theatres have shifted away from being family-centered, Erin and Emma saw an opportunity to offer something different—a space where entire families can enjoy a night out together, and where artists can focus on using their gifts to glorify their Creator rather than navigating politics or societal ideologies. Lamppost is intentionally rooted in values, imagination, and shared experience.

Beyond stage productions, Lamppost’s vision includes a wide range of artistic opportunities. In addition to theatrical performances and dance classes, future plans include workshops, summer theatre camps, open-mic and songwriters’ nights, and music instruction. The team is open to collaborating with instructors and creatives who want to share their talents, making Lamppost a flexible and evolving creative hub.

More Than a Stage: A Space Built for Community

Lamppost is intentionally opening its doors to the broader community, inviting others to use the space to share their talents and passions. Already, a local voice coach has scheduled a student recital, dance classes are underway, and conversations are happening about hosting songwriters’ nights and film festivals. This spring, Lamppost has also committed to hosting a children’s choir visiting from Uganda—another reflection of its heart for connection and cultural exchange.

The vision is to serve artists, families, and creatives who may not have felt fully welcome in traditional arts spaces. Lamppost aims to be a place where people can show up as they are, explore creativity safely, and feel supported—whether they’re seasoned performers or first-time participants.

Accessible, local theatre plays a powerful role in building community, especially across generations. Onstage, Lamppost brings together six-year-olds, teenagers, adults, and grandparents in shared productions. These experiences create natural opportunities for mentorship, empathy, and mutual learning—where younger performers gain guidance, older participants discover new perspectives, and everyone grows together.

For audiences, Lamppost’s family-friendly focus encourages entire households to experience theatre together. Those shared moments—laughing, imagining, applauding—become building blocks for stronger family units. And as families gather alongside other families, a broader sense of community begins to form.

Stepping Into Wonderland: A First Production Full of Imagination

Choosing Adventures in Wonderland as Lamppost’s first production felt like a natural fit. The story’s simplicity and versatility, paired with its public-domain roots, allowed Emma to write her own original script—an opportunity that felt especially meaningful for an inaugural show. From scriptwriting to costumes, sets, props, and casting, the production reflects Emma’s imagination and creative vision from start to finish.

The result is a whimsical, joyful experience designed to welcome audiences into the world of Lamppost. Erin and Emma hope viewers of all ages leave feeling like they’ve stepped into another world, even if only for a couple of hours—and that some of that lighthearted wonder follows them home. Their goal is simple: joy, imagination, and a sense of escape that lingers beyond the curtain call.

One behind-the-scenes moment perfectly captures the spirit of Lamppost. After finishing rehearsal early one evening, the cast decided to run the show again—but this time, everyone switched roles. Watching cast members embody new characters revealed not only how attentively they’d observed one another, but how easily creativity and collaboration flowed. Each person added their own flair, and the result was playful, communal, and deeply affirming.

For Erin, that moment crystallized what Lamppost is meant to be: a place where people don’t take themselves too seriously, where learning happens naturally, and where a group of individuals becomes something more—a creative family bonded by shared work, imagination, and plenty of shenanigans.

All Are Welcome: Finding Your Place at Lamppost

Lamppost actively invites people of all ages to get involved. Dance classes are open now, auditions will be announced soon, and the company hopes to produce three more shows within the calendar year. Volunteers are welcome to help wherever their interests and skills align—from costumes and sets to concessions and behind-the-scenes support.

Workshops, summer theatre camps for elementary and middle/high school students, and additional learning opportunities are also on the horizon. While Lamppost is firmly committed to remaining family-friendly and operating within Biblical values, collaboration and conversation are always welcome.

Everyone is encouraged to attend Adventures in Wonderland, but Erin and Emma especially hope to reach those who have always loved theatre from a distance—those who wonder if it’s a space they’re truly allowed to explore. Emma’s own journey serves as a living example: she dreamed of owning a theatre, chose courage over comfort, followed the “white rabbit,” and is now bringing that dream to life.

For anyone feeling intimidated by the idea of trying theatre, Emma’s advice is simple: “Just do it.” Erin adds that life is too short for regrets. Theatre can be a comfort zone—or an invitation to step beyond one. Whether someone discovers a love for performing, prefers the backstage world of sets and costumes, or ultimately finds joy in being an audience member, Lamppost welcomes them all. Every role matters, and every step of courage becomes part of the company’s story.

Dreaming the “Impossible” — What Comes Next

One of the biggest surprises so far has been the overwhelming encouragement Lamppost has received. From their realtor to local contractors and community members, the excitement has been palpable. Again and again, people have expressed how meaningful a theatre can be for a community—and how glad they are to see one opening locally.

Looking ahead, Erin and Emma hope Lamppost becomes a gathering place: onstage, backstage, and in the audience. A place where imaginations run wild, dreams are realized, and creative gifts are shared freely.

If Lamppost had a theme song for this moment, it might be “Impossible” from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella. The lyrics reflect the heart of Lamppost’s journey—a group of dreamers daring to hope, discovering that “impossible” things really can happen, one brave step at a time.

How to Be Part of the Story

There is so much up and coming for LTAC in 2026!

• Weekly dance classes begin February 11, 2026.

• Auditions for Lamppost’s next production will be announced soon, with performances planned for the final three weekends of April, 2026.

• An arts showcase is scheduled for May 23, 2026.

• Summer theatre camps for elementary and middle/high school students will take place in June, 2026.

The best way to support Lamppost right now is simple: spread the word. They’re looking for actors, stagehands, students, collaborators, and—of course—audiences. If you have a theatre-related skill or class you’d love to share, they’d love to start the conversation.

Website: www.Lampposttheater.com

Facebook & Instagram: @lampposttheatricalartscompany

When can YOU catch YOUR white rabbit in Adventures in Wonderland*?

February 6 & 7 @ 7 PM

February 8 @ 2:30 PM

February 13 & 14 @ 7 PM

February 15 @ 2:30 PM

*Doors open 30 minutes prior to listed time.

Author's Note!!!

At Created to Create Coalition, we believe wholeheartedly in the power of local arts to build connection, inspire creativity, and strengthen community—and Lamppost Theatrical Arts Company is already doing just that. Supporting Lamppost feels especially meaningful to us because this production is not only something we admire… it’s something our family has had the joy of being directly involved in.

Getting to witness Adventures in Wonderland from both the audience and behind-the-scenes perspective has made this experience incredibly special. We’ve seen firsthand the care, creativity, laughter, and dedication poured into every costume, rehearsal, set piece, and performance. More than that, we’ve watched relationships grow, confidence bloom, and a genuine sense of belonging take root among cast, crew, and families alike.

There is a warmth to Lamppost that is difficult to describe unless you experience it for yourself. It truly feels like stepping into a space where imagination is celebrated, families are welcomed, and creativity is nurtured across generations.

With six performances of Adventures in Wonderland still remaining, we genuinely encourage you to come see it for yourself. Whether you are a lifelong theatre lover, a parent looking for something meaningful to share with your children, or someone quietly wondering if theatre might have a place for you too—Lamppost is creating a beautiful place to begin.

Supporting Lamppost means supporting dreams being bravely pursued, artists discovering their voices, and a creative home that is just beginning to shine. We are deeply grateful to cheer them on—not just as supporters of the arts, but as a family who has been blessed to be part of the story.

With all our love to Erin and Emma, and to you, our audience!

The Denson-Sanchez Family