From the Seem-To-Be-Players to Summer Youth Theatre, to the Kansas Nutcracker, to classical music and beyond, Ric Averill guided the Lawrence Arts Center’s Performing Arts Program and changed the lives of so many in our community. Last weekend we said thank you and welcomed him back as Artistic Director of Performing Arts Emeritus in a fabulous fundraising event for performing arts, and this week we say thank you to all who made this vibrant celebration possible.
Generous sponsors of the evening included Treanor HL, Dale and Jan Willey, and Sharon Soule and Tom Ruddy. Their support made the whole thing possible!
Merchants Pub & Plate provided delectable appetizers followed by an incredible three-course meal, and City Wine Market brought the perfect drinks to pair. This amazing meal was served family style at tables in the transformed main lobby and large gallery spaces.
Performers from throughout Ric’s career returned to the stage to reenact excerpts from beloved productions — everything from Apple Valley to The Snow Queen to this summer’s Summer Youth Theatre production of Pippin, directed by Ric Averill!
Arts Center staff were thrilled to bring this evening to life in honor of our great friend and long-time partner-in-crime, Ric Averill. Tech, event, development, marketing, performing arts, and front desk staff together with the decorations committee worked tirelessly to make the Arts Center a dazzling venue for the performers to razzle the crowd.
But our biggest thanks goes out to those who spent an evening celebrating with us. Our audiences are the life-blood of the performing arts program, and it’s because of you that people of all ages have the opportunity to perform on stage. We hope you felt our deep appreciation as you entered on the red carpet.
What an amazing place we’ve created together!
Did you attend this fabulous event? Please click here to tell us what you think!