Starlight News

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

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We’re looking for innovative and hard-working “Stars” to join our staff and have numerous full time, part-time, and seasonal positions open including:   Audio/Visual Technician  Community Engagement Coordinator  Event Coordinator  Facilities Technician  Facilities – Day Crew  Graphic Designer  Grounds – Day Crew  Guest Assist Team Member  Ticket Services Representative  Volunteer Coordinator  As a new “Cast Member,” … Continued

This summer, think outside and let Starlight transport you around the world. Season tickets are on sale now to the 2022 AdventHealth Broadway Series.   From our historic theatre in Swope Park, you can experience the best of Broadway with stories that will take you on a journey. Visit 1960s Baltimore with Hairspray, raise the roof … Continued

In Starlight’s most recent Raise Our Voices performance, rapper Ayel created an original song to premiere, “Stand the Rain.” Inspired by this season’s theme, “Celebrating Me,” Ayel chose his words very intentionally with thoughtful intent on sharing this moment with others who have  similar experiences as him.   “Ayel’s words are a testament that though black … Continued

What excites you the most about joining the team at Starlight? I grew up in a small town in northeast Missouri, with less than a hundred people and a graduating class of about 20. There was no theatre program; extracurricular activities were limited to sports, band, or choir. My lack of access was largely influenced … Continued

Mark your calendars for Starlight’s two main fundraising events in 2022! Starry Night at Starlight Saturday, June 11, 2022 Following the success of last year’s event, which helped raise more than $100,000 in support of Starlight’s Bob Rohlf Internships program, Starry Night at Starlight returns for a second year. This community event for all ages … Continued

This month, Starlight’s Raise Our Voices video showcases the work of Seth Irving, who brings together vocals, poetry, and choreographed roller skating. Seth was chosen by Artistic Advisor Christopher Barksdale-Burns to bring his performance to Starlight audiences. “Seth is a kind and caring individual, who wants to see everyone uplifted and living their best life,” … Continued

You’ve heard of Broadway season tickets, but did you know that Starlight offers season tickets to our Capitol Federal Concert Series, too? Upgrade your music experience with the best seats in the house, free reserved parking, early entrance through our VIP gate, and exclusive access to the VIP Club during concert nights. The VIP Club … Continued

Each year, the Starlight Stars performance troupe prepares company members to pursue arts careers by honing the skills of high school performers. Last month, the 2021 troupe gathered for their annual wrap party, and Starlight awarded four participants scholarships for their exceptional work throughout the year. This year, program supporters Howard and Ro Jacobson funded … Continued

Starlight is searching for the newest class of Vincent Legacy Scholars! Established in 2006, the Vincent Legacy Scholarship program provides $2,500 for performing arts training to BIPOC youth in the Kansas City community. More than $100,000 in scholarships have been awarded since the program’s inception.   To qualify for application, students in grades 6, 7 or … Continued

Join the next generation of arts advocates! Young Friends of Starlight (YFS) is looking for Kansas City young professionals to join its Steering Committee for the upcoming term (April 2022 – March 2024). YFS Steering Committee members work closely with Starlight staff, leadership and board members to champion our historic theatre in Swope Park.   If … Continued

Did you know? Starlight offers paid summer internships throughout a number of departments at our nonprofit theatre. Since 1984, the Bob Rohlf Internship program has provided college students with the opportunity to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to bring live Broadway musicals, popular concerts and education programming to Kansas City audiences. … Continued

After 18 years at Starlight, Cindy Jeffries, Starlight’s Vice President of Marketing and Sales, will retire later this month. She recalls many memories of the amazing shows and performers at Starlight Theatre throughout the years and has been an integral part of changes, improvements and new programs launched in her tenure. She’s proud to have … Continued

In mid-December, Vincent Legacy Scholars, their families, Starlight staff and board members gathered together in person to celebrate the holiday season for the first time in two years. The annual holiday reunion is always a favorite, as current scholars and alumni share life updates and reconnect with one another from the past year. This year’s … Continued

It may be getting chilly outside—but we’re already dreaming of next summer and beautiful nights under the stars at Starlight Theatre. A number of fantastic artists have already been announced—with more announcements coming soon! Check out the line up so far and stay tuned as we fill the calendar for an especially great summer under … Continued

In our second episode of season two’s Raise Our Voices video performance series, Artistic Advisor Chioma Anyanwu selected Ahafia Jurkiewicz-Miles to feature. “Ahafia is unflinchingly open to artistic collaboration, masterfully flexible to evolving ideas, genuinely kind, and exhibits an almost saintly patience in stressful situations,” Chioma said. “They are what I think of when I … Continued

Hosted in partnership with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Van Gogh Alive opened at Starlight just over a month ago and has already drawn thousands of visitors to this unique, multi-sensory experience.  Among those visitors were more than 800 middle and high school students from Kansas City Public Schools, who received free access to the exhibit thanks to the generosity of the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation and generous donor patrons.    Great Day … Continued

Two of Starlight’s biggest supporters were honored with special awards at this year’s National Philanthropy Day Awards on Thursday, November 11. The ceremony was put on by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Kansas City Chapter, and honored Kansas City individuals and companies that embody the spirit of philanthropy.  Amy Guerich was the recipient of this year‘s award for Spirit of Philanthropy – Individual/Family, which honors … Continued

As 2021 draws to a close, we’re increasingly grateful for the more than 3,000 donors that stepped up this year in support of the arts and our community with a gift to Starlight. Thank you!  Beyond our stage, thousands of people each year are touched by Starlight’s community engagement programs that provide need-based performing arts scholarships to BIPOC students, promote healing and hope … Continued

The Starlight family was saddened to learn of the passing of Robert (Bob) Kipp late last month. “Bob was an intelligent leader and a man of great integrity,” Bob Rohlf, Starlight’s former President and Executive Producer, said. “He was results-focused but never wanted to be in the spotlight, he just wanted what was best for … Continued

Avoid frustrating shipping delays and gift a memory-making night at Starlight to your friends and family this holiday season. A Starlight gift certificate fits everyone on your list. Gift certificates can be used on Broadway, concerts, dining or parking. The best part? They don’t expire for five years! Here are just a few events coming … Continued

Thanks to a partnership between Kansas City Public Schools, Starlight, and the Muriel McBrien Kauffman Foundation, more than 800 students from Kansas City Public Schools have had the opportunity to experience Van Gogh Alive at Starlight Theatre since mid-November. “The exhibit at Starlight is a brand-new way to experience the works of one of the … Continued

For the first time since March 2020, Starlight’s Just Imagine program was able to perform again in front of a live audience in November with Kids’ Safari in Independence. Comprised of a group of four professional actors, the Just Imagine troupe leads each performance, bringing with them props and specially designed costumes to take children … Continued

Starlight’s first foray into art exhibitions has been a hit with Van Gogh Alive. Presented by Starlight and The Nelson Atkins Museum of Art, Van Gogh Alive opened at Starlight Theatre October 23 and critics and patrons have both loved the multi-sensory experience. By popular demand, Van Gogh Alive has now been extended by two … Continued

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