Kate Cosentino
Five Questions With 2023’s Spotlight Members Concert Artist, Kate Cosentino
Kate Cosentino is a hometown talent and the Kauffman Center’s guest performer at this year’s Spotlight Free Members Concert & Reception. Cosentino captivated viewers with her humor, personality and stage presence throughout Season 23 of The Voice. Don’t miss the chance to watch this talented artist as she takes the stage in Helzberg Hall on Oct. 30!
How do you think growing up in Kansas City affected your songwriting/singing?
Growing up in Kansas City immersed me in a really unique and fun music scene. The rich jazz history influenced my desire to study jazz guitar. The thriving indie/alternative rock scene sparked my love for live shows and influenced a lot of my lyric writing. In my experience, KC celebrates creativity and music, so I was exposed to a lot of great art and music from a young age which made me feel passionate about making it my career.
What are you looking forward to about performing at the Kauffman Center?
I am absolutely giddy about performing at the Kauffman Center. It’s one of the most iconic venues in Kansas City AND it feels like a homecoming. I was in the children’s choir of the first show that opened the Kauffman in 2011 – Turandot. That was one of my first experiences on a stage that large and gorgeous. It’s really full circle for that little girl to have continued music and now be headlining a show there. Also, I love Halloween so I’m excited for the costumes.
What can patrons expect from your performance in October?
Patrons can expect me in all my quirky, colorful, dad-joke-making glory. They’ll hear songs from my post-graduation EP Note to Self, songs from The Voice AND some un-released songs as well. I’m excited to tell stories from my time growing up in Kansas City, pursuing music in Nashville, and from my recent endeavor of being on The Voice.
What is your favorite song to perform and why?
I love to perform “Emergency Contact.” It’s by far my funniest song and I just love to get the room dancing and laughing.
What is your favorite thing about Kansas City?
It is impossible to name just one thing, but I’d have to say the people. Some of the kindest, most hardworking and most genuine people come from Kansas City. I’ve always felt encouraged and supported by my hometown to keep making music and that has made all the difference in my life. Oh, and Grinders Pizza.
Prior to the performance, enjoy Halloween-inspired appetizers and cocktails in Brandmeyer Great Hall. Guests are invited to come in costume for this festive evening of music and fall-inspired treats. Following the concert, join the artist and her band members in the lobby for photos against the stunning Kansas City skyline, and don’t forget your spooky treat to go.
Free tickets to see Kate Cosentino are available now for Spotlight members. To reserve seats, visit tickets.kauffmancenter.org/cosentino and enter the promo code sent to you via email or call the Kauffman Center Ticket Office at 816.994.7222.
Not a member? Join Spotlight, the Kauffman Center’s individual membership program, to reserve your free tickets at kauffmancenter.org/spotlight. Memberships start at $75 for one person and $125 for two. Questions? Call 816.994.7927.
Kauffman Center Celebrates Customer Service Week:
A Tribute to Exceptional Patron Experiences
Photo by Jenny DeFreece
Excellent customer service is a cornerstone of the Kauffman Center experience. This year, during Customer Service Week, we would like to thank our Patron Services team, Theatre Operations team, Bonterra catering, SG360, P1 Group, Titan Security, NPB, Park-it and Laz Parking and KC Medical.
To celebrate, we spoke with Columbus Leveringston, the face of the Kauffman Center Gift Shop:
My title is gift shop attendant and I have been working in the Kauffman Center Gift Shop since day one in 2011.
Before Kauffman Center construction was complete, I was employed part time as an event staffer by NPB, the Kauffman Center’s security. I saw the Gift Shop being assembled and asked, “What will that area be?” The guide said, “The Gift Shop.” I said right then I wanted to work there.
The Gift Shop was originally managed by Connie Silverman and I worked closely with her. Connie later resigned and Barry Myers took over. We were another match! I retired from my role as director of admissions and marketing at Delaware Highland Assisted Living after 10 years. Later, Kauffman Center subcontracted me from NPB to help manage the Gift Shop. Barry called me the gift shop manager. I appreciate all trust Paul Schofer, president and chief executive officer, Bill Miller, vice president of operations and mostly Barry Myers, senior director of patron services put in me. Today, I have been employed part time by Kauffman Center for three years.
It’s a joy to be greeted and loved by all at Kauffman Center from the parking garage attendants, tunnel attendants, security, volunteers, staff and our patrons.
Muriel McBrien Kauffman | Photo courtesy of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation
Kauffman Center Presents Mrs. K’s Vision
Muriel McBrien Kauffman dreamt of one day having a world-class performing arts center in Kansas City.
With the perseverance of her daughter, Chairman of the Board Julia Irene Dennie-Kauffman, and the tremendous support of the community, including you – Mrs. K’s ambitious dream became a reality in 2011.
We want to thank you for believing in the vision of the Kauffman Center early on and for continuing to contribute to its success. Like Mrs. K, you recognize and value the remarkable unifying power the arts can have within our community.
Mrs. K’s Vision was a gift from Hallmark Cards Inc. to commemorate the Kauffman Center’s many achievements in its young 12-year history and to celebrate those who helped make it happen – people like you.
We want to share the short film with you so you can view it, send it to others or keep it as a reminder of how much we appreciate everything you have done to ensure the Kauffman Center will continue to shine well into the future. Enjoy!
Photo by Jillian Shoptaw
In conjunction with the Kauffman Center’s new speaker series, Trailblazing Talks, we are excited to debut a trio of student matinees that explore fascinating close encounters with adventurers and photojournalists. Trailblazing Talks is replacing the National Geographic Live series and will feature speakers curated from the Changemaker Speaker Series live and on stage at the Kauffman Center!
Trailblazing Talks school matinees are recommended for grades 6 – 12 and the cost is just $2 per ticket! In 2024, we are proud to bring these inspiring speakers:
ELLA AL-SHAMAHI: ARE YOU A NEANDERTHAL?
Photo by Clare Jones
Evolutionary biologist and TV host, Ella Al-Shamahi illuminates the lives and stories of our earliest ancestors in her talk, Are You a Neanderthal? Al-Shamhi combines engaging history with interactive exercises to create an immersive and unique educational experience.
Ella Al-Shamahi will speak at the Kauffman Center on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
MICHAEL DAVIE: DOCUMENTING OUR WORLD
Photo by Brent Stirton/National Geographic
Hear inspiring stories and see incredible footage from adventurer and documentary filmmaker Michael Davie. This talk documents a wide variety of cultures and stories from across the globe, from tales of war zones to escapades in the mountains of Denali. Davie will leave students with a greater understanding of the world around them and shed light on the connections we all share.
Michael Davie will speak at the Kauffman Center on Tuesday, Feb. 20, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
SYLVIA EARLE: SAVING OUR BLUE PLANET TOGETHER
Photo by Kip Evans
Dr. Sylvia Earle, renowned marine researcher and ocean advocate, has spent over 7,500 hours exploring the underwater world. Earle’s research has led to the advancement of deep-sea exploration technologies that provide important information to scientists and oceanographers. Her talk aims to demonstrate the beauty of the ocean, and how we can all play a role in its preservation.
Sylvia Earle will speak at the Kauffman Center on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 10:30 a.m.
Request tickets for any of the Trailblazing Talks speakers for your classroom today!
The Trailblazing Talks series is not the only opportunity for students to attend a performance at the Kauffman Center. Partner organizations, including the Kansas City Symphony, Kansas City Ballet and Lyric Opera of Kansas City, offer a variety of school matinees and open rehearsals that bring world-class performing arts to young people each school year.
To learn more about all the school matinees offerings visit kauffmancenter.org/schoolmatinees.
Photo by Jillian Shoptaw
Youth in the Community Share Winning Poetry
Photo by Zach Anderson-Boland. Emily Wilder performs her poem at the 2023 Future Stages Festival.
Artful Poetry, an Open Doors Spotlight on Youth Initiative, allowed students from the Kansas City area the opportunity to perform their poetry at the Kauffman Center’s Future Stages Festival on June 11, 2023. Local youth writers submitted their original poems to a panel of local professional poets, artists and writers.
Check out the winners of our 2023 contest and links to their winning poems below:
10 and Under Category
11 and Up Category
Learn more about Maha’era Neil Aggarwal and Emily Wilder, our 2023 1st place winners:
Maha’era Neil Aggarwal, 10 and Under
Maha’era Neil Aggarwal | Photo submitted by Udita Neil Bharadwaj
Maha’era Neil Aggarwal, 3rd grader at Notre Dame de Sion enjoys painting, reading and poetry. Outside of the classroom, Neil Aggarwal enjoys basketball, hula-hooping and competitive swimming as a proud member of the Kansas City Blazers Swim Team.
Read Maha’era Neil Aggarwal’s poem, “A Key Worth a Million Galaxies,” below.
A Key Worth a Million Galaxies
by Maha’era Neil Aggarwal
Once there was a key, dropped on the sidewalk for all to see.
So, I picked it up and leapt away.
I crept inside my house, climbing the stairway like a tiny brown mouse.
I sat in the chair, staring at the key like a luscious pear.
All of a sudden, a door appeared, unexpectedly out of faint haze. It had a keyhole, and I had a key.
With all my might I shoved the enchanted door open but no longer I was in my room!
I was in a Spaceship.
SSSHHHHHHTTTTERRRRRR TTTTTUUUUUEEEERRRRRR!!!!
I found out the moon is made of Peanut butter! The stars are cheese puffs, The galaxy is chocolate cake!
Oh my, Oh my!! How many things can space create?
Black holes are brownies, and the Sun is a bright orange jelly. Croissant asteroids zoom around the milky way.
Can I please discover more? Because this is what you call a food galore!!!!
So, as I sat on planet earth, I wondered what this key was really worth? Was it worth gold or was it as crusty as mold?
Back In the spaceship I flew watching the planets arranged in Rainbow hew and I never told anyone what I knew!
I soared above the majestic clear blue sea. Back in my bedroom holding a cup of hot chamomile tea. As I held the key in the air, I felt richer than a million millionaires.
Emily Wilder, 11 and Up
Emily Wilder | Photo submitted by Emily Wilder
Emily Wilder, freshman at Olathe North High School, is passionate about advocating for equity and inclusion in her community, as seen by her involvement in the feminist club at Olathe North. An active member of theatre at her high school, Wilder believes that her generation has a unique ability to share important stories and foster change. Wilder has always had an interest in poetry, but only began writing her own this year. She hopes that her poem will encourage readers to contemplate their past, present and future. Wilder has always had an interest in poetry, but only began writing her own this year.
Read Emily Wilder’s poem, “Name Tag,” below.
Name Tag
by Emily Wilder
I don’t need no lock or key, or some piece of metal to set me free.
All I need is a nametag. Cause in the end,
How can we be set free, if we don’t know who we wanna be?
I am a Woman. XY chromosomes.
But I don’t know why, why I say I
When I should say we.
We are women.
We are the wives of history.
The mothers of victory.
And the daughters of misery.
We are the chorus of one whaling infant, who’s father is no longer present,
Just wait one minute. Wait for a woman.
Cause who cares if she’s long overspent?
The father was discontent. Wait for a woman.
So many labels. Circling us, surrounding us.
Overwhelming us. Deciding us.
Instead, give me a name tag.
So they can stop playing us like a game of tag.
We don’t want to play no game. Yet the same one has been enduring,
Before, after, and during.
Throughout history, sprinting, running, then hitting.
Tag, you’re it. No tag backs.
They refuse to hear me; we. We are the voiceless, the meek. The quiet-spoken, the neat.
That’s funny. Because we’re just speaking a language that they can’t speak.
Controlling a game that they can’t see. Check.
Held down by the stickiness of our society, like bubble gum to a shoe.
Blowing a bubble where they want to keep us.
Contain us. Watch us. Admire us.
Pretty, precious, pink.
Pop. There goes your bubble. Now who’s in trouble?
Remember, don’t bite off more than you chew,
Because we always pick up our shoe.
We’ve had a voice, they just weren’t quiet enough to hear us.
Us speaking the language that they can’t speak.
Some could get down with our word.
While others never understood a word.
Nowadays, the majority is able to comprehend what we’re saying
But there’s some still out there that can’t see us swaying.
Swaying to the language that never stops singing,
We are women.
To learn more about Artful Poetry and other Kauffman Center Open Doors programs, visit kauffmancenter.org/artful-poetry.
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