PHOENIX, AZ – The Herberger Theater Center came to life on Sunday, May 3, as guests gathered for the 11th Annual Plated & Staged: Red Carpet Rock, an unforgettable evening celebrating the arts and community support.
“More than 200 guests joined us for Plated & Staged, the Herberger Theater Center’s signature annual fundraiser,” said Laurene Austin, Director of Development for the Herberger Theater Center. “This year’s ‘Red Carpet Rock’ theme created an energetic and engaging atmosphere that brought people together in support of youth education and community arts programs. We are deeply grateful to our sponsors, restaurant partners, donors, and guests whose generosity made the evening such a success.”
Guests enjoyed a cocktail reception, featuring hors d’oeuvres by Fresh from the Kitchen, live music by Jake Greider, silent auction experiences, a wine pull, and the event’s signature cocktail, the “Red Zeppelin.” The celebration continued inside Center Stage with a spirited live auction and special performances by former Arizona Young Artists’ Competition finalists Lila Weber and Gracie Smith, followed by high-energy rock selections performed by Broadway artists who toured nationally together as the leads in Jesus Christ Superstar and now perform as Radio Recall. The evening concluded with a signature Plated & Staged tradition, as guests discovered which surprise Valley restaurant would host them for an intimate three-course dinner paired with wine.
“Plated & Staged is a celebration of what the arts make possible when a community comes together in support of creativity, connection, and opportunity,” said Mark Mettes, President & CEO of the Herberger Theater Center. “The funds raised through this event directly support programs that ensure children, families, and our broader community have meaningful access to the arts.”
Since its inception in 2016, Plated & Staged has raised more than $1 million to help expand access to arts experiences throughout the community. This year’s event raised $150,000 in support of the Herberger Theater Center’s SPARK (Strengthening Potential Through Arts, Resilience & Knowledge) youth education programs, which serve children from low-income and diverse communities, including homeless, abused, and foster youth. Proceeds also support Community Showcase programs such as First Friday Live, Performance Pop-Ups, and Lunch Time Theater, providing free and low-cost arts experiences for audiences throughout the Valley. More information about these programs can be found at: https://herbergertheater.org/community-showcase/
The Herberger Theater Center extends its sincere appreciation to the evening’s generous sponsors and partners, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, Snell & Wilmer, Perkins Coie, National Bank of Arizona, Earnhardt Lexus, Nava Law Firm PLLC, Columbia Bank, Tito’s Handmade Vodka, Alyn Aston Print, and Arizona CW7, along with Roger and Holly DelCastillo in memory of Judd Herberger.
About the Herberger Theater Center
The Herberger Theater Center is Arizona’s center stage, engaging the community through diverse arts experiences that ignite emotion, stimulate conversation, and inspire connections with the arts. Located in downtown Phoenix, the Herberger Theater Center serves as a vibrant home for theater, dance, music, youth arts education, community programming, and resident performing arts organizations throughout the Valley. For more information, visit: www.HerbergerTheater.org
