Annual Benefit Gala
ENCORE!
Starlight’s 36th Annual Benefit Gala
Saturday, October 14, 2023
Star Award Honorees: Greg & Rebecca Reid
Gala Chairs: Aviva Ajmera & Wayne Strickland | Nancy Whitworth & Doug Ballou | Carey & Tom Wilkins
The Annual Benefit Gala is one of our most important events, highlighting Starlight’s mission-based programs and bringing the community together in celebration of the arts. Each year, funds raised through the Gala enable Starlight to impact the lives of 30,000 local residents through education and community engagement programs, bring world-class Broadway productions and concerts to more than 320,000 patrons, and sustain this cultural landmark for generations to come.
Consistently ranked as one of the best fundraisers in Kansas City, this black-tie soiree brings together Kansas City community leaders, change-makers, and arts enthusiasts for dinner, live entertainment, presentation of the Star Award to a deserving community member, and much more.
For more information, please contact Erin Olm-Shipman at (816) 997-1133 or erin.olm-shipman@kcstarlight.com.
Funds a full season of interactive Just Imagine theatre performances that bring the arts to foster care facilities, hospitals, shelters, and other vulnerable youth
- Two premium tables for 20 guests
- Verbal recognition from stage during opening remarks
- Logo recognition on event invitations (print and digital). Print deadlines apply.
- Dedicated logo recognition on screens during Gala
- Full-page recognition in printed Gala program
- Premier placement of logo on Gala webpage
- 12 ticket packages for the 2024 Broadway season at Starlight*
- 6 single concert tickets to select show(s) during the 2024 season
- Access to exclusive donor hospitality areas during 2024 season for 12 guests per show
- Logo recognition in all Broadway season programs and on website for one year
- Featured in post-event blog post distributed via donor e-newsletter (distribution of 4,000+)
- Featured in post-event blog post distributed via Starlight’s e-newsletter (distribution of 230,000+)
- Social media recognition (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) – 2 dedicated posts
- Opportunity to be on-site for one Broadway performance night for pre-show engagement (table/giveaway, etc.)
- 10% discount on venue rental to be used in the 2023-2024 season
Enables 6 middle-school students from ethnic minorities to advance their performing arts training with need-based scholarships, training, and mentorship opportunities through the Vincent Legacy Scholarship program
- One premium table for 10 guests
- In-event recognition during onstage remarks
- Dedicated logo recognition on screens during Gala
- Logo recognition in printed Gala program
- Logo recognition on Gala webpage
- 10 ticket packages for the 2024 Broadway season at Starlight*
- 4 single concert tickets to select show(s) during the 2024 season
- Access to exclusive donor hospitality areas during 2024 season for 10 guests per show
- Recognition in all Broadway season programs and on website for one year
- Inclusion in post-event blog post distributed via donor e-newsletter (distribution of 4,000+)
- Inclusion in post-event blog post distributed via Starlight’s e-newsletter (distribution of 230,000+)
- Social media recognition (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) – 1 dedicated post
- Opportunity to be on-site for one Broadway performance night for pre-show engagement (table/giveaway, etc
- 10% discount on venue rental to be used in the 2023-2024 season
Covers expenses for 3 Bob Rohlf Internships, which offers paid and immersive arts industry training opportunities for college students each summer
- One reserved table for 10 guests
- In-event recognition during onstage remarks
- Logo recognition on screens during Gala
- Logo recognition in printed Gala program
- Logo recognition on Gala webpage
- 6 ticket packages for the 2024 Broadway season at Starlight*
- 2 single concert tickets to select show(s) during the 2024 season
- Access to exclusive donor hospitality areas during 2024 season for 6 guests per show
- Recognition in all Broadway season programs and on website for one year
- Inclusion in post-event blog post distributed via donor e-newsletter (distribution of 4,000+)
- Inclusion in post-event blog post distributed via Starlight’s e-newsletter (distribution of 230,000+)
- Social media recognition (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) – 1 group post
Elevates the voices of 6 local artists from historically underrepresented backgrounds through the Raise Our Voices performance series
- Reserved table seating for 8 guests
- Logo recognition on screens during Gala
- Logo recognition in printed Gala program
- Recognition on Gala webpage
- 4 ticket packages for the 2024 Broadway season at Starlight*
- Access to exclusive donor hospitality areas during 2024 season for 4 guests per show
- Recognition in all Broadway season programs and on website for one year
- Inclusion in post-event blog post distributed via donor e-newsletter (distribution of 4,000+)
- Inclusion in post-event blog post distributed via Starlight’s e-newsletter (distribution of 230,000+)
- Social media recognition (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn) – 1 group post
Supports arts access for up to 364 local youth, individuals with disabilities, unhoused residents, and more at every Broadway performance with free Community Tickets
- Reserved table seating for 6 guests
- Name recognition on screens during Gala
- Name recognition in printed Gala program
- Name recognition on Gala webpage
- Access to exclusive donor hospitality areas during the 2024 season for 4 guests per show
- Recognition in all Broadway season programs and on website for one year
- Inclusion in post-event blog post distributed via donor e-newsletter (distribution of 4,000+)
Funds a 3-week technical theatre training program for 12 economically-disadvantaged high school students
- Reserved table seating for 4 guests
- Name recognition in printed Gala program
- Name recognition on Gala webpage
- Access to exclusive donor hospitality areas during the 2024 season for 2 guests per show
- Recognition in all Broadway season programs and on website for one year
- Inclusion in post-event blog post distributed via donor e-newsletter (distribution of 4,000+)
Supports the fabrication of 1 stage backdrop for an in-house Broadway production
- Reserved table seating for 2 guests
- Name recognition in printed Gala program
- Name recognition on Gala webpage
- Access to exclusive donor hospitality areas during the 2024 season for 2 guests per show
- Recognition in all Broadway season programs and on website for one year
Increases arts accessibility by helping to cover the cost of a sign language interpreter at a live event
- Reserved table seating for 1 guest
Enhance your sponsorship experience with these add-on opportunities. Contact us for details.
Red Carpet Sponsor - $5,000 (2 Available)
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- Logo placement on all cocktail table and bar signage during Red Carpet Reception
- Branded cocktail napkins
- Recognition as Red Carpet Sponsor on all event materials (invitation, website, program – print deadlines apply)
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Dinner Sponsor - $10,000 (SOLD OUT)
- Logo placement on dinner table signage and seating chart
- Dedicated ad in printed Gala program
- Recognition as Dinner Sponsor on all event materials (invitation, website, program – print deadlines apply)
After Party Sponsor - $2,500 (4 Available)
- Logo placement on stage, bar signage, & bistro tables in Applause Club
- Branded cocktail napkins
- Recognition as After Party Sponsor on all event materials (invitation, website, program – print deadlines apply)
*Seating for ticket packages is in the front Plaza section (price level 3). Upgrades may be available for an additional fee, subject to availability.
6:00 p.m. | Red Carpet Reception, Sponsored by Monarch, Shirley Bush Helzberg Garden of the Stars
For the comfort of guests, the Applause Club will be open for the duration of the reception. A complimentary coat check will be available.
7:30 p.m. | Dinner & Program, Sponsored by JE Dunn Construction, Jeannette & Jerome Cohen Community Stage
9:30 p.m. | After Party, Sponsored by Concord, Applause Club and Garden
Black Tie | No physical tickets will be issued | Table assignments will be emailed to registered attendees in advance.
Parking: Complimentary valet parking will be available just outside the event entrance at Gate 7 on the east side of Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO 64132. Self-parking will also be available in sections Z1 and Z6 of the Zebra lot, located near the zoo. View a parking map.
Please note: Brew at the Zoo is taking place the same night as Starlight’s Gala. While this should not affect your experience, we encourage you to plan accordingly to ensure you have plenty of time to enjoy the Red Carpet Reception.
Thank you to our generous 2023 benefactors for their extraordinary generosity and leadership:
INVESTOR ($25,000+)
DIRECTOR ($15,000+)
Edward P. Milbank
STAR ($10,000+)
Aviva Ajmera & Wayne Strickland
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas City
CommunityAmerica Credit Union
Creative Planning
Delta Dental
The Deramus Foundation
FORVIS
Donald J. Hall
Shirley & Barnett Helzberg Jr. Donor Advisory Fund of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City
Hunt Midwest
Legends Hospitality
Live Nation
Lockton Companies, LLC
McCarthy Auto Group
The McDonnell Foundation, Inc.
Jonalee & Paul McLaughlin
US Asset Services
Don & Jean Wagner Charitable Foundation
Nancy Whitworth & Doug Ballou
Carey & Tom Wilkins
PLAYWRIGHT ($6,000+)
Burns & McDonnell
Commerce Bank
ECCO Select
The Elsberry Family Foundation
Enterprise Bank & Trust
GastingerWalker&
Dave & Laura Hall
Hallmark
Joan Horan
Kansas City Parks & Recreation
KPMG
Olsson, Inc.
ACTOR ($3,750+)
American Century Investments
Robert & Dr. Phyliss Bernstein
Becky Blades & Cary Phillips
CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services of Kansas City
The City of Kansas City
Concord
Deloitte
Steve & Cathy Doyal
EY
Sherry & Gary Forsee
Donald & Diantha Hagan
Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Marlys & Michael Haverty
Kansas City Testing & Engineering
Marilyn Kulmus & John Shuenhaer
McCown Family Foundation
ReeceNichols Real Estate
Stepp & Rothwell
Strickland Construction
Sunlighten
Donna Thomason
Turner Construction Company
Russell & Debbie Welsh
PATRON ($1,500+)
Anonymous
A L Huber General Contractors
Rich & Peggy Baker
Bank of America
Block & Company
Wendy & Troy Burgess
CFS Engineers
Howard E. & Debra L. Cohen Family Donor Advised Fund
Colliers | Kansas City
Concord
IMA, Inc./Michael & Carrie Condon
Curry Real Estate Services
Peggy & Terry Dunn
Brett & Nikki Emison
Kent & Robin Emison
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Mark & Sarah Fortino
Fre3dom Interiors
Edward & Sandi Fried
FSC, Inc.
Michael Haines & Kathy Winklhofer
Katrina & Tom Henke Charitable Fund GKCCF
Augie & Laura Huber
IBC Carpentry
Howard & Ro Jacobson
Stacey Janssen
Kansas City Life Insurance
Kansas City Transportation Group
Kevin & Diane Kelly
Kinetic
Lane4 Property Group
Robert & Margie Langdon
Lathrop GPM
Warren & Liz Lewis
Marquee Event Rentals
Brandy McCombs
The Miller Group
Monarch
Alana Muller & Marc Hammer
Bill & Jeri Murphy
Olathe Ford Lincoln
Terry & Barbie O'Toole
Parris Communications
Pepsi Beverages Company
Greg & Rebecca Reid
Bill & Vicki Reisler
Lindsey Rood-Clifford & Chris Clifford
Rouse Frets White Goss Gentile Rhodes, P.C.
Silvey Solutions LLC
Jim & Ann Tinsman
Trozzolo Communications Group
UMB Financial Corporation
UMKC External Relations
Mark & LeeAnn Van Dyne
Wagstaff & Cartmell
Brian & Jennifer Weiford
Matt & Sabrina Wiewel
This list reflects donations made through October 12, 2023.
For more information, contact Erin Olm-Shipman at (816) 997-1133 or erin.olm-shipman@kcstarlight.com, or visit our Philanthropy Team page to contact another member of the Philanthropy team.