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 (1 Available)
- 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)
Increases arts accessibility by helping to cover the cost of a sign language interpreter at a live event
- Reserved table seating for 1 guest
*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, Shirley Bush Helzberg Garden of the Stars
7:30 p.m. | Dinner & Program, Jeannette & Jerome Cohen Community Stage
9:30 p.m. | Live Music & Dancing, Applause Club and Garden
Black Tie | No physical tickets will be issued | Table assignments will be emailed to registered attendees in advance.
Parking and event check-in will take place on the east side of Starlight Theatre, 4600 Starlight Road, Kansas City, MO, 64132
Thank you to our generous 2023 benefactors for their extraordinary generosity and leadership:
PRESENTER ($50,000+)
INVESTOR ($25,000+)
DIRECTOR ($15,000+)
Edward P. Milbank
STAR ($10,000+)
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Kansas City
CommunityAmerica Credit Union
Delta Dental
Legends Hospitality
Live Nation
Lockton Companies
Carey & Tom Wilkins
PLAYWRIGHT ($6,000+)
ACTOR ($3,750+)
Mark One Electric Co., Inc.
Stepp & Rothwell
PATRON ($1,500+)
Howard E. & Debra L. Cohen Family Donor Advised Fund
This list reflects donations made through March 15, 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.