STAGES St. Louis to Host 16th Annual APPLAUSE! Gala

On Friday, Nov. 10, 2017, STAGES St. Louis will welcome its friends, loyal patrons, and supporters of the arts to its 16th annual Applause! Gala at the Ritz-Carlton in Clayton.

Judy and Jerry Kent will serve as Presenting Sponsors of this benefit to support the organization's Education and Artistic programs, with Merry and Jim Mosbacher as Honorary Chairs.

This exquisite evening of glitz, glamour, and giving will be hosted by longtime STAGES stars Kari Ely and Steve Isom, while the occasion's musical entertainment will feature Jason Michael Evans and Corinne Melançon, presenting "Hello, Broadway: A Salute to the Great White Way." The event will also showcase a special appearance by STAGES Performing Arts Academy's wonderfully talented premier performance group, Triple Threats.

STAGES Performing Arts Academy inspires passion, creativity, and curiosity in students of all ages and abilities, reaching over 4,500 students annually through its education and outreach programs. Through STAGES' Access the Arts program, children and adults with physical, cognitive, and developmental delays are able to participate fully in the magic of musical theatre, while STAGES' Urban Arts Initiative brings performing arts education into the classrooms and community centers of St. Louis's underserved students. Funds raised at the Applause! Gala will help sustain these vital programs and STAGES' artistic endeavors, supporting the next generation of artists in St. Louis.

"STAGES is honored to provide students with the empowering potential of an arts experience," stated Executive Producer Jack Lane. "Bringing high-quality instruction and performance opportunities to the youth of our community is made possible through the continued commitment and generous support of our STAGES family and we can't wait to celebrate with them at the 2017 Applause! Gala."

The Gala's festivities will commence at 6:30pm with red carpet photos, cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction. Dinner begins at 8:00pm in the ballroom, followed by entertainment, sponsorship opportunities, and a live auction filled with exclusive STAGES experiences, elegant dining and travel, tickets to the most sought after musicals (including Frozen, Harry Potter & the Cursed Child, and Hamilton), and more. For more information about the 2017 Applause! Gala contact STAGES' Development Department at 636.449.3948.