Photo by Don Ipock.
Gift Shop Attendant Columbus Leveringston and Volunteer Terri Curran share a laugh at the 2022 Five- and Ten-Year Luncheon.
What Volunteers Do
Generous volunteers are at the center of the patron experience at the Kauffman Center. Volunteers are not only friendly faces at every entry point, but they also scan tickets, provide directions and help patrons to their seats. They oversee coat check, guide patrons as they look for the perfect keepsake in the gift shop and participate in community outreach initiatives through the Kauffman Center’s Open Doors programs.
Why Volunteer
Volunteers have the opportunity to be part of extraordinary performances, special events and concerts across all musical genres at the Kauffman Center. As a thank you for their outstanding contributions to the organization, volunteers are invited to attend appreciation events at the Kauffman Center, like exclusive backstage tours, movie nights, milestone luncheons and annual recognition celebrations. Volunteers also explore Kansas City together during quarterly outings to area museums, art collections and must-see spaces throughout the metro.
“There are so many things about being a volunteer at the Kauffman Center that make it great. The volunteer corps is a group of fun folks who make you feel welcome from your first shift. We have a ‘we’re all in this together’ kind of attitude that allows each volunteer to feel supported whether it’s your first shift or your 100th shift. We feel appreciated and valued by the Kauffman Center staff as well.”
– Marlene F., 2022 – 2023 apprentice program graduate
Who Should Volunteer
The Kauffman Center maintains a volunteer corps of approximately 500 individuals, and each person brings their own unique skills and life experiences. While some applicants have experience as an usher, ticket taker or customer service representative, most do not. What all volunteers do have in common is that they are friendly, like to collaborate with others, enjoy meeting new people and are excited about welcoming the entire Kansas City community to performing arts experiences.
“For anyone considering volunteering, I would tell you this is a great facility which is extremely well run. They are always thanking and recognizing the volunteers in many different ways.” – Steve F., 2022 – 2023 apprentice program graduate
Photo by Jenny DeFreece.
Volunteers Phyllis Grootemaat, Gary Lint, Cindy Sheets and Belete Fikru at a volunteer briefing.
How to Become a Volunteer
Those interested in being considered for the upcoming annual volunteer recruitment period for the 2024 – 2025 season can complete an application on the volunteer page of the Kauffman Center website. Applicants may be accepted into the apprentice program, which is the selection process and training program for new and returning volunteers.
Participants in the apprentice program complete three in-person training classes and online evaluations, as well as volunteer for four guided shifts alongside veteran volunteers. Throughout their tenure, volunteers are invited to attend advanced training classes that explore the ins and outs of ushering and specialty positions. All volunteers gather at an annual refresher training every season to learn up-to-date policies and procedures, as well as applications for the Kauffman Center’s customer service philosophy of “Making It Memorable.”
To find out more about the Kauffman Center’s volunteer program visit kauffmancenter.org/volunteer.
A Future Stages Festival Photo Album
2024 marked the start of another decade of youth performances at Kauffman Center’s Future Stages Festival. This year featured 34 performance groups including seven brand new organizations and 22 community partners. Thanks to all who attended and participated.
Future Stages Festival is presented by Premier Partner Saint Luke’s Health System. Additional thanks to our supporters PNC Bank, Richard J. Stern Foundation for the Arts, Marlese and Robert Gourley Children’s Fund, Hearst Foundations, Courtney S. Turner Charitable Trust, John H Mize Jr. & Bank of America, NA Trustees, Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund, Evergy, JE Dunn and Anonymous.
SAVE THE DATE! Future Stages Festival will return next summer on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
Photo by Ellie Fehlig. The 5 Star Jazz Band performs on the Kansas City Symphony’s Mobile Music Box.
Photo by Bernadette Hursh. Guests at Future Stages Festival enjoy activities from community partners, such as StoneLion Puppet Theatre.
Photo by Starra Zweygardt. Guests enjoy the 360 photo booth in Brandmeyer Great Hall.
Photo by Bernadette Hursh. Audiences at the Saint Luke’s Outdoor Stage applaud youth performers.
Photo by Zach Anderson Boland. Guests of all ages enjoy a variety of performances inside and on the lawn of the Kauffman Center.
Photo by Bernadette Hursh. Future Stages festival includes many lawn games and activities.
Photo by Zach Anderson Boland. Starlight Stars’ high school performers present a musical theatre medley.
Morgan Prosser is the Kauffman Center’s Ticketing Services Supervisor. She oversees multiple aspects of ticketing for various events, including the Kauffman Center’s Tour Program. In this post, Morgan answers some basic questions about tour offerings and the tour scheduling process at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.
Q: How do I schedule tour of the center?
Photo by Steve Mohlenkamp Photography
A: You can schedule a tour by filling out our Private Tour Request form located on our website, under The Center > Tours and Public Hours: kauffmancenter.org/tours
Q: When can I schedule a tour?
A: You can inquire about scheduling a tour year-round. The availability of our tours largely depends on what performances and events calendar. We try not to schedule tours when we can’t offer to show both of our performance halls to a tour group. The winter tends to be the busiest season for us with so many holiday performances taking place, so that is when we are least likely to have tour availability. In the same vein, the spring and summer months typically have more availability, but it still varies week to week.
Q: How long does a tour last?
A: Our tours typically last about one hour, though that can vary. We also try to keep tours for children’s groups closer to 45 minutes.
Q: How many people can be accommodated on one tour?
A: We can accommodate almost any number of people on a tour; however, we do recommend keeping each tour to about 35 attendees.
Photo by Kenny Johnson
We recommend this because it can be hard for everyone to hear the tour guide(s) with larger groups. If you have more than 35 people in your group, we suggest breaking into different groups and starting the tour in different locations or at different times.
Q: How far in advance do you have to schedule a tour?
A: We require at least three weeks’ notice in order to make sure all spaces are open and available, and respective departments are aware of the activity. Due to the ever-changing nature of performances and events, we usually officially confirm each tour about two weeks in advance of the date.
Q: What aspects of the building are covered on tours?
A: Each tour covers all front of house spaces in the Kauffman Center. This includes Helzberg Hall, Muriel Kauffman Theatre, Brandmeyer Great Hall and the Plaza Lobby level.
Q: Do tour groups go on stage?
A: We typically do not bring tour groups on stage. There is often equipment and sets for upcoming rehearsals and performances on our stages.
Photo by Cody Boston
Q: Are the tours guided?
A: Yes, our tours are led by our incredibly knowledgeable volunteer tour guides. Many guides have been giving tours since the early stages of construction, so they have a lot of experience and knowledge on the history and architecture of the building.
Q: How much does a tour cost?
A: Tours are $100 for a group of up to 35 people, and $150 for groups of more than 35 people. Fees will be paid through the Kauffman Center’s Open Doors program if the group is a student group affiliated with a non-profit organization (must provide Tax ID number). Be sure to mention the school group status on the tour request form so any discounts on tour costs can be applied.
Celebrating Mothers, Music and Health: A Recap of the Kauffman Center Mother’s Day Organ Concert
Photo by Don Ipock
We hope you had the opportunity to join us last month for our Saint Luke’s Mother’s Day Organ Concert. This free event was an incredible celebration of mothers everywhere and the 30th anniversary of Saint Luke’s Muriel I. Kauffman Women’s Heart Center. A concert on the Julia Irene Kauffman Casavant Organ, Opus 3875, the heart of Helzberg Hall, made for a fitting tribute to the care the Heart Center has provided for women’s hearts over the last 30 years. The Kauffman Center is honored to help celebrate the pioneering efforts in addressing women’s cardiovascular health made by the Heart Center.
Grammy-nominated organist Jan Kraybill took center stage, delighting the crowd of mothers, aunts, sisters and the people who love them dearly. Kraybill’s performance, titled “An Around-the-World Musical Adventure,” was a captivating journey through continents and cultures. The program brought a diverse selection of musical pieces, highlighting the versatility and richness of the organ’s sound along with Kraybill’s own mastery. Kraybill’s performance infused a fitting level of passion and elegance fit for the occasion.
Photo by Don Ipock
This amazing performance would not have been possible without the Kauffman Center’s partnership with Saint Luke’s and their generosity in providing this spectacular Mother’s Day gift. The Kauffman Center and Saint Luke’s share the same commitment to promoting the arts as a way to reduce stress and promote overall well-being. Thank you, Saint Luke’s!
And, of course, to the mothers and mother-figures who joined us last month — our hearts are full of gratitude. Thank you for spending this special day with us.
Giving Kids a Helping Hand
PNC Grow Up Great Gallery
Photo by David Riffel
Since 2004, PNC has been dedicated to helping children through PNC Grow Up Great, which helps prepare children from birth through age 5 for success in school and life. PNC Grow Up Great supports programs, resources and experiences for young people through partnerships with organizations like the Kauffman Center. Nowhere is this vision more clear than in the PNC Grow Up Great Gallery.
The Kauffman Center is proud to be the home of the PNC Grow Up Great Gallery. Created in 2018, the gallery is a collaboration between the Kauffman Center, PNC and and area early learning centers to inspire a love of the arts in children. By exposing children to the arts, PNC and the Kauffman Center hope to encourage creativity that will last a lifetime.
Photo courtesy of PNC
The PNC Grow Up Great Gallery leaves a lasting impression on students like Noble. Noble was one of the first to leave his handprint on the wall in 2019 and returned four years later to find his handprint. “I do remember that day you guys took my handprint and put in on here,” said Noble. “We had a field trip coming to the Kauffman Center to see our handprints… I was just full of excitement!”
“Noble has fond memories of his time experiencing the performing arts at the Kauffman Center and the PNC Grow Up Great volunteers who came to help him make his handprint,” his mom, Tamica, said. Noble is now taking part in the performing arts through music and flexing his creative mind at a French immersion school in Kansas City.
Check out the video below to learn more about Noble’s story.
The gallery is currently home to nearly 300 handprints from pre-K students in the Kansas City-area, with more being added to the gallery each year. The handprints also showcase the first name and age of their creator, making the gallery a very personal and heartfelt experience for many families.
Photo by Don Ipock
The gallery is a colorful way to show the lives impacted by the collaboration between PNC and The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. The gallery also serves as a permanent reminder of people impacted by PNC Grow Up Great, with each handprint representing the many lives that have been touched by the arts.
Feel free to come see the gallery with your own eyes! The PNC Grow Up Great Gallery is located in the Level 2 Plaza Lobby of the Kauffman Center. The gallery is open for viewing for ticketholders 90 minutes prior to any performance. It’s also open to the public during box office hours, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Want to lend a helping hand? Learn more about PNC Grow Up Great at PNC Grow Up Great (pnc.com).
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