Presenting a wide spectrum of entertainers and performers from around the world as well as regional grass-roots performing arts organizations, the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts has become Kansas City’s home for extraordinary performing arts experiences. To celebrate these diverse performances, this June the Kauffman Center is hosting the third annual Future Stages Festival, a free community event that showcases youth in the performing arts.
Future Stages Festival will be held on Sunday, June 26, 2016 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The one-day festival, a part of the Kauffman Center’s Open Doors Spotlight on Youth program, will provide opportunities for youth and community arts organizations to perform and experience the Kauffman Center, plus be recognized for their achievement and nurture their continuing practice and education. The event will include family-friendly interactive activities and a range of performing arts experiences for the whole family to enjoy. Performances are showcased on Kauffman Center’s two interior stages, Helzberg Hall and Muriel Kauffman Theatre, along with an outdoor stage that overlooks the south lawn. Interactive arts activities will be provided by partners including Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, KC Kite Club, American Institute of Architects and more. The Kauffman Center’s resident companies, the Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony and Lyric Opera of Kansas City, will also take part in the event.
The festival is open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to register for free at kauffmancenter.org/futurestages to receive the latest event updates and schedule for performances and activities.
“We are committed to encouraging students and young artists to participate in the arts. As an extension of this commitment, Future Stages Festival will provide opportunities for future performers and our community to take center stage at the Kauffman Center,” stated Paul Schofer, President and CEO of Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. “The Kansas City region has a vibrant arts community and the Kauffman Center is pleased to be part of it. We are committed to creating access and engagement opportunities to connect more artists with new audiences. Future Stages is an important annual commitment to these important goals.”
In April, an online application process encouraged community arts organizations and school programs to apply for a performance slot during Future Stages Festival. Building on the success of the 2014 inaugural event, last year’s festival welcomed more than 6,000 guests and hosted 600 performers. The festival also featured more than 29 community partner organizations who participated by providing performances and interactive arts activities.
The Kansas City Boys Choir and Kansas City Girls Choir were among the participating groups. Artistic Director Ah’Lee Robinson felt the experience provided a stronger sense of worth for many of the young performers. “Many of the choristers do not frequent professional performances, nor are they aware of the many outlets and how they can become better citizens with the discipline that comes with the arts. To have Future Stages Festival open up the art world in many phases was a highlight!” Robinson said. “Having the opportunity to perform at Future Stages Festival boosts their egos and personality like nothing else.”
The Kauffman Center’s Open Doors program provides educational and community outreach connecting students throughout the Kansas City metropolitan area to the arts. The program is designed to create opportunities for young people, especially those with limited experience of the arts, to attend performances and perform on the stages of the Center’s two performance halls. Future Stages Festival focuses on youth engagement and displaying diversity in the performing arts.
You Are Invited to attend the Third Annual Future Stages Festival
Sunday, June 26, 2016
11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
- FREE FOR ALL AGES
- Featuring performances, interactive art activities and more!
Find out more at kauffmancenter.org/futurestages
–Megan Felling
