Category: Starlight

Keep up with the latest from Starlight including details about Broadway shows, new programs, history, and more.

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For 32 years, Ingram’s has conducted their “Best of Business” Awards in Kansas City. Starlight has had the honor of winning a number of awards—including a Gold for Best Theater, Silvers for Best Concert Venue and Best Performing Arts Venue, and Bronze for Best Charitable Event in 2019. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the publication … Continued

Traditionally, Starlight hosts an annual fundraiser that helps us to close the gap between ticket revenue and operation costs in addition to providing valuable arts education and community engagement programs to Kansas Citians. Even in a “normal” year, ticket sales only cover part of Starlight’s operating costs, and this year our historic venue projects a … Continued

On September 17th, Starlight hosted its first ever virtual donor event and it was a major success!  Approximately 60 donors and patrons like you came together to speak with members of the Starlight staff, Board of Directors, Blue Star Awards participants and program sponsors.  Highlights included:  A behind-the-scenes look at Starlight’s New Donor Lounge, which was constructed earlier this year, thanks to a new gift from the Morgan Charitable Foundation.   A performance from talented Blue Star Awards students and the opportunity to … Continued

A lifelong patron of the performing arts, Doug Jones’ passion for theatre was ignited after attending his first show at Starlight as a little boy. Motivated by a desire to ensure underserved children in Kansas City have the opportunity to experience the magic of live theatre, Doug joined Starlight’s Legacy Society in 2015. Find out more about his story below:    Where did you first get your passion for … Continued

Starlight recently made the difficult decision to move away from a traditional in-person benefit gala for 2020. But the show must go on...so we’re bringing it to you! This year, we’re excited to announce an online event, FREE and open the public, featuring performances and appearances by Tony Award-winning Broadway stars, an original Hamilton cast member, REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin, The Vi Tran Band, a number of local artists, and a few extra special surprises! Please join us for: … Continued

In Starlight’s newest Raise Our Voices performance, Vincent Legacy Scholar Courtney Germany takes the stage for the series’ first dance piece to “I Can’t Breathe” by the artist H.E.R. Her brother suggested the song to Courtney, and she found that her feelings toward violence and police brutality filtered through every powerful and honest lyric of … Continued

Soon, Starlight will announce the 2021 AdventHealth Broadway Season, and with Broadway classics, sensational new hits and some seriously catchy jukebox musicals, it’s sure to be a summer to please. When patrons return to Starlight in 2021, they may notice a few changes throughout the venue. In our “off” season, Starlight leadership and staff have … Continued

Starlight is Like, Totally KC! Nearly 12,000 Kansas Citians cast more than 63,500 nominations for The Pitch’s Best of Kansas City 2020. The finalists have been announced and now is your chance to vote in more than 450 categories for your Kansas City favorites. Starlight was lucky enough to be nominated for two categories—and we’d … Continued

On Tuesday, September 1 Starlight joined more than 2,000 landmarks, buildings and other iconic structures across the country in lighting red for the #RedAlertRESTART. The nationwide event raised awareness on the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the live entertainment industry. It also encouraged a call to action for Congress to vote for the RESTART … Continued

After the success of the first Swope Park Community Blood Drive in July, the Community Blood Center (CBC) and Starlight are excited to collaborate again! The second Swope Park Community Blood Drive will be held in Starlight’s Applause Club on Wednesday, September 23 and Thursday, September 24 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. each day. … Continued

Starlight’s Bob Rohlf Internship program provides real-world experience in the entertainment industry, networking opportunities with other young professionals and chances to learn from a number of Kansas City institutions through lunch-and-learns, site visits and more. And—did you know—the program also encourages interns to give back to their community! In mid-July, several Starlight interns volunteered their … Continued

In our newest filmed performance of Raise Our Voices, Starlight Star Danielle Woods chose to share John Mayer’s “Waiting on the World to Change.” She hopes the song helps to lift others’ spirits, as it does for her and her family. When asked why she chose the song, she said that waiting for change is … Continued

Last month, Starlight launched a new video initiative titled “Raise Our Voices” in hopes of offering Starlight’s platform to share diverse voices. The title is two-fold—Starlight recognizes the need, now more than ever, to Raise Our Voices against racial injustice, and wants everyone to have the opportunity to do the same. Through “Raise Our Voices,” … Continued

In case you missed it—Starlight’s President & CEO, Rich Baker, appeared on KCPT’s “Kansas City Week in Review” in May. Joined by Randy Wistoff of the Kansas City Zoo, Bob Kendrick of the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum, and Brenda Tinnen of the Sprint Center, KCPT’s Nick Haines interviewed the group regarding how each of them … Continued

A Message From Starlight's President & CEO, Rich Baker Dear friends, First, thank you so much for your support of Starlight. Much has changed in the entertainment industry in the past eight weeks, but I feel lucky to be surrounded by people like you who are just as dedicated as I am to making sure our historic venue … Continued

Bored at home? While we may not be able to visit our local haunts right now, we look forward to a time in which we can gather again at our favorite Kansas City places, spaces and landmarks. We hope you consider Starlight one of your favorites, and we’d love your support in nominating Starlight for … Continued

Dear friends, patrons, donors and fans of Starlight, At Starlight, we're lucky for many reasons. We have incredible patrons, like you, who join us under the stars each summer and indoors each winter. We have generous donors who support Starlight and fund the future of the arts industry through community engagement programs. We have dedicated … Continued

On Thursday, February 6, the City of Kansas City honored Starlight with Resolution 200097 during their scheduled City Council meeting. Councilwoman Heather Hall introduced the Resolution as a Starlight Special Action, and the Council quickly voted to approve. Starlight’s President and CEO, Rich Baker, and Board Chair, Ora Reynolds, accepted the Resolution surrounded by additional … Continued

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