STARLIGHT THEATRE ASSOCIATION OF KANSAS CITY INC

EIN: 440552079 501(c)(3) Arts, Culture & Humanities

KANSAS CITY, MO

Total Revenue
$25,398,427
Total Expenses
$22,032,977
Total Assets
$48,879,840
Net Assets
$38,292,295
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Financial Trends

Organization Details

Formation Year
1951
Legal Domicile
MO
Principal Officer
LINDSEY ROOD-CLIFFORD
Phone
8163637827
Tax Period
2023-04-01 to 2024-03-31

STARLIGHT THEATRE ASSOCIATION OF KANSAS CITY INC, founded in 1951, is a mid-sized nonprofit in the Arts, Culture & Humanities sector that reported $25.4M in total revenue in fiscal year 2023. Revenue decreased 9% compared to the prior year. Expenses of $22.0M left a modest 13% surplus.

Mission

STARLIGHT THEATRE ASSOCIATION OF KANSAS CITY, INC., A NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION, IS DEDICATED TO CONNECTING OUR COMMUNITY THROUGH LIVE ARTS EXPERIENCES THAT ENTERTAIN, INSPIRE, AND ENGAGE, AND STRIVES TO BE THE HOME FOR ACCESSIBLE LIVE ARTS EXPERIENCES FOR ALL GENERATIONS. STARLIGHT ENRICHES THE KANSAS CITY REGION FOR ALL RESIDENTS AND VISITORS BY BUILDING APPRECIATION FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS, MAKING LIVE THEATRE AND MUSIC AFFORDABLE AND ACCESSIBLE, PROVIDING SUPERIOR ARTS EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS, AND DELIVERING EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE. A BELOVED KANSAS CITY CULTURAL TRADITION, STARLIGHT DEVOTES SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES TO PRESERVING AND ENHANCING ITS HOME CAMPUS IN SWOPE PARK AND CREATING NEW MEMORIES FOR GENERATIONS TO COME. PRESENTING LIVE BROADWAY THEATRE SINCE 1951, THE NONPROFIT STARLIGHT THEATRE ASSOCIATION IS KANSAS CITY'S OLDEST AND LARGEST PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATION. THE ASSOCIATION OPERATES, PROGRAMS AND MAINTAINS THE LARGEST OUTDOOR STAGE IN THE UNITED STATES, AS WELL AS THE 16-ACRE STARLIGHT THEATRE COMPLEX. THE THEATRE SEATS APPROXIMATELY 8,000 AND IS LOCATED IN SWOPE PARK, THE LARGEST PARK IN KANSAS CITY. WHILE FUNDING ANNUAL OPERATING COSTS OF $1,339,369 FOR THE STARLIGHT VENUE, THE ASSOCIATION ALSO RAISES FUNDS FOR CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS AND A VARIETY OF PROGRAMS, INCLUDING BROADWAY MUSICALS, CONCERTS, AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT. SINCE 2000, THE ASSOCIATION HAS CONTRIBUTED MORE THAN $31 MILLION OF PRIVATELY FUNDED IMPROVEMENTS TO THE KANSAS CITY, MO.-OWNED STARLIGHT THEATRE, OFFSETTING LOCAL GOVERNMENT FINANCIAL LOADS. IN FISCAL YEAR 2023, STARLIGHT RECORDED MORE THAN $1.4 MILLION OF DEPRECIATION EXPENSES RELATED TO THE THEATRE FACILITY, EQUIPMENT, AND OFFICES. STARLIGHT IS A FREQUENT RECIPIENT OF LOCAL, NATIONAL AND EVEN INTERNATIONAL AWARDS AND RECOGNITION. IN 2013, STARLIGHT WON THE PRESTIGIOUS VENUE EXCELLENCE AWARD FROM THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF VENUE MANAGERS. HONORS IN 2023 INCLUDED: LIVE THEATRE VENUE, WINNER KANSAS CITY STAR'S KANSAS CITY FAVORITES CONTEST; BEST LIVE THEATER VENUE, SECOND PLACE DISCOVER THE BEST OF MISSOURI LIFE AWARDS; BEST LIVE THEATER VENUE KANSAS CITY MAGAZINE'S BEST OF KANSAS CITY; BEST LIVE THEATER PRODUCTION KANSAS CITY MAGAZINE'S BEST OF KANSAS CITY; AND BEST PERFORMING ARTS VENUE, SILVER AWARD INGRAM'S. STARLIGHT BENEFITS FROM EARNED REVENUE THROUGH TICKET SALES AND ANCILLARY REVENUE FROM PARKING AND CONCESSIONS WITH LESS THAN 10% OF ITS ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET SUPPORTED BY CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS AND PUBLIC FUNDING. THE NUMBER OF LIVE PERFORMANCES AND CONCERTS ATTENDANCE RETURNED TO PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS IN THE SUMMER OF 2022. BROADWAY THEATRE AUDIENCES, HOWEVER, LAGGED IN LINE WITH NATIONAL BROADWAY AND REGIONAL TOURING TRENDS, AND ARE ANTICIPATED TO BE SLOWER TO RECOVER. ADDITIONALLY, EXPENSES INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY AGAINST PRE-PANDEMIC LEVELS IN ALMOST ALL CATEGORIES, MOST NOTABLY IN LABOR. AS A RESULT OF POST-PANDEMIC REALITIES, STARLIGHT IS EVALUATING ITS TRADITIONAL BUSINESS MODEL TO EVOLVE TO MEET THE FUTURE, INCLUDING CHANGES TO ITS PERFORMANCE SERIES, PRICING, AND WITH A STRONG FOCUS ON PROGRAMMING THAT MAXIMIZES PAID TICKET UTILIZATION AND SEATING CAPACITY OF STARLIGHT'S NEARLY 8,000 SEATS FOR SUMMER PERFORMANCES.

Program Service Accomplishments

Program 1
Expenses: $11,242,843 Revenue: $12,172,708

IN ADDITION TO OFFERING AWARD-WINNING BROADWAY THEATRE, STARLIGHT IS A FAVORED PERFORMANCE VENUE FOR CONCERT ARTISTS. STARLIGHT'S CLIMATE-CONTROLLED STAGE, REHEARSAL SPACES, DRESSING ROOMS AND MANY...

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IN ADDITION TO OFFERING AWARD-WINNING BROADWAY THEATRE, STARLIGHT IS A FAVORED PERFORMANCE VENUE FOR CONCERT ARTISTS. STARLIGHT'S CLIMATE-CONTROLLED STAGE, REHEARSAL SPACES, DRESSING ROOMS AND MANY AMENITIES ARE STATE-OF-THE-ART IN THE OUTDOOR CONCERT INDUSTRY. AMPLE SEATING CAPACITY IS ANOTHER MAJOR PLUS IN ATTRACTING PERFORMANCE ARTISTS. IN 2023, STARLIGHT OFFERED A FULL LINEUP OF CONCERT ARTISTS. IT INCLUDED ROBERT PLANT & ALISON KRAUSS, TENACIOUS D, WHISKEY MYERS, CHICAGO, LOUIS TOMLINSON, BARENAKED LADIES, THE DOOBIE BROTHERS, TYLER CHILDERS, MATCHBOX TWENTY, THE REVIVALISTS & THE HEAD AND THE HEART, YOUNG THE GIANT, TEARS FOR FEARS, FOREIGNER WITH LOVERBOY, CULTURE CLUB, ZZ TOP, KIDZ BOP, THE BLACK KEYS, GOO GOO DOLLS, 3 DOORS DOWN, FANTASIA, QUEENS OF THE STONE AGE, AND THREE DAYS GRACE & CHEVELLE. STARLIGHT SEEKS TO ATTRACT A VARIED CUSTOMER DEMOGRAPHIC BY OFFERING A WIDE RANGE OF CONCERT EVENTS. BY FIRST INTRODUCING NEW GENERATIONS TO STARLIGHT'S TIME-HONORED TRADITION THROUGH ITS CONCERT OFFERINGS, THE THEATRE IS WORKING HARD TO BUILD AN EXPANDED AUDIENCE BASE FOR ALL OF ITS PERFORMANCES INCLUDING BROADWAY AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS.

Program 2
Expenses: $6,731,780 Revenue: $4,529,170

PRESENTING LIVE BROADWAY THEATRE SINCE 1951, THE NONPROFIT STARLIGHT THEATRE ASSOCIATION IS KANSAS CITY'S OLDEST AND LARGEST PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATION. STARLIGHT'S ANNUAL BROADWAY SERIES FEATURES...

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PRESENTING LIVE BROADWAY THEATRE SINCE 1951, THE NONPROFIT STARLIGHT THEATRE ASSOCIATION IS KANSAS CITY'S OLDEST AND LARGEST PERFORMING ARTS ORGANIZATION. STARLIGHT'S ANNUAL BROADWAY SERIES FEATURES NATIONAL BROADWAY TOURS, CO-PRODUCTIONS WITH OTHER REGIONAL AND NATIONAL THEATRES, AND ITS OWN LOCALLY PRODUCED SHOWS. THE LANDMARK OUTDOOR THEATRE, ONE OF ONLY THREE OF ITS KIND REMAINING IN THE UNITED STATES, DRAWS THEATRE FANS IN THE SUMMER FROM THROUGHOUT THE KANSAS CITY AREA, AS WELL AS SURROUNDING CITIES AND STATES. IN FACT, NEARLY EVERY SUMMER STARLIGHT WELCOMES VISITORS FROM ALL 50 STATES AND SEVERAL NATIONS. THE 2023 ADVENTHEALTH BROADWAY SERIES MARKED STARLIGHT'S 74TH YEAR OF LIVE BROADWAY ENTERTAINMENT UNDER THE STARS. STARLIGHT PRESENTED FIVE WEEK-LONG PRODUCTIONS INCLUDING TOOTSIE, JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, LEGALLY BLONDE: THE MUSICAL, 1776, AND JAGGED LITTLE PILL. IN ADDITION, THE HISTORIC VENUE OFFERED TWO WEEKEND SPECIALS, INCLUDING TOOTSIE, AND RAIN A TRIBUTE TO THE BEATLES.

Program 3
Expenses: $1,024,365 Revenue: $38,228

THE MOMENTUM FOR PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION, TRAINING AND COMMUNITY ACCESS IS STRONG AT STARLIGHT. IN KEEPING WITH ITS NONPROFIT MISSION AND IN RESPONSE TO GROWING COMMUNITY INTEREST, STARLIGHT...

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THE MOMENTUM FOR PERFORMING ARTS EDUCATION, TRAINING AND COMMUNITY ACCESS IS STRONG AT STARLIGHT. IN KEEPING WITH ITS NONPROFIT MISSION AND IN RESPONSE TO GROWING COMMUNITY INTEREST, STARLIGHT CONTINUES TO REFINE AND ENHANCE ITS PORTFOLIO OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS. AS EXPENSES SIGNIFICANTLY EXCEED REVENUES FOR THESE OFFERINGS, MANY OF WHICH ARE OFFERED AT LITTLE OR NO COST TO PARTICIPANTS, STARLIGHT FUNDS THIS IMPORTANT INITIATIVE WITH OPERATING FUNDS AND PRIVATE DONATIONS. THE THEATRE'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS IN 2023-24 REACHED MORE THAN 36,000 INDIVIDUALS. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMMING INCLUDES: PAID COLLEGE INTERNSHIPS IN MULTIPLE THEATRE PRODUCTION AND ARTS ADMINISTRATION ROLES THROUGH THE BOB ROHLF INTERNSHIP PROGRAM STARLIGHT'S BLUE STAR AWARDS ONE OF THE LARGEST HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL THEATRE AWARDS PROGRAM IN THE COUNTRY. DURING THE 2023-24 SCHOOL YEAR, 58 KANSAS CITY AREA SCHOOLS PARTICIPATED IN THE PROGRAM, INVOLVING MORE THAN 4,500 HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS RISING STAR SCHOLARSHIPS FOR BLUE STAR AWARDS' PARTICIPATING HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS AND VINCENT LEGACY SCHOLARSHIPS FOR KANSAS CITY MIDDLE-SCHOOL STUDENTS THE STARLIGHT STARS AND STARLIGHT STARS OF TOMORROW MUSICAL THEATRE TRAINING AND PERFORMANCE TROUPES FOR 6TH THROUGH 12TH-GRADE STUDENTS JUST IMAGINE, AN INTERACTIVE THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE PROGRAM FOR CHILDREN RECEIVING SERVICES FROM HOSPITALS, DOMESTIC SHELTERS AND CHILD SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS FREE COMMUNITY TICKETS PROVIDED TO MORE THAN 145 KANSAS CITY AREA NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS THAT SERVE UNDERPRIVILEGED AND AT-RISK YOUTH, THE MEDICALLY DEPENDENT OR DISABLED, AND LOW-INCOME SENIOR CITIZENS RECENT HIGHLIGHTS OF STARLIGHT'S COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT PROGRAMS INCLUDED THE CELEBRATION OF THE 22ND ANNIVERSARY OF STARLIGHT'S BLUE STAR AWARDS, FIELD TRIP EXPERIENCES PROVIDED AT NO COST FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS FROM KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND KANSAS CITY, KANSAS PUBLIC SCHOOLS, AND THE ADDITION OF FIVE NEW SCHOLARS TO THE VINCENT LEGACY SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM EXPANDING THE TOTAL TO 62 RECIPIENTS AND MORE THAN $150,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS FUNDED SINCE THE PROGRAM'S INCEPTION IN 2006.

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Liquidity (40%) • Solvency (30%) • Sustainability (20%) • Efficiency (10%)

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Financial Overview (2023)

Revenue Breakdown

Contributions & Grants $7,295,655
Program Service Revenue $17,024,692
Investment Income $1,089,570
Other Revenue $-11,490
TOTAL REVENUE $25,398,427

Expense Breakdown

Grants Paid $16,495
Salaries & Benefits $4,968,197
Fundraising Expenses $1,023,183
Program Expenses $19,174,595
Other Expenses $16,942,158
TOTAL EXPENSES $22,032,977

Year-over-Year Comparison

2023 2022 Change
Revenue $25,398,427 $27,891,268 -0.1%
Expenses $22,032,977 $24,495,408 -0.1%
Net Income $3,365,450 $3,395,860 0.0%
Key Indicators
Grants to Organizations Grants to Individuals Lobbying Political Activity Foreign Activities Donor Advised Fund Schedule B Required
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Governance

Voting Members
54
Independent Members
52
Employees
220
Volunteers
229

Governance Policies

Conflict of Interest Policy
Whistleblower Policy
Document Retention Policy

Special Practices & Reported Activities

Operated a School
Operated a Hospital
Provided First Class Travel
Reported Conflict of Interest
Reported Asset Diversion
Excess Benefit Transaction
Made Political Expenditures
Engaged in Lobbying
Operated Donor Advised Fund
Maintained Art Collections
Filed Form 720

Compensation of Officers, Directors & Key Employees

Total Officers
20
$1,620,391
Total Directors
54
$409,069
Key Employees
0
$0
Highest Compensated
1
reported
Name Title Hours/Week Role Reportable Comp Other Comp Total
MANDI WRIGHT VP OF FINANCE & CFO/ TREASURER 40.00
Officer Director
$145,762 $24,766 $170,528
LINDSEY ROOD-CLIFFORD PRESIDENT & CEO 40.00
Officer Director
$212,427 $26,114 $238,541
HOWARD COHEN CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
MARK FORTINO IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIR 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
TERRY O'TOOLE SECRETARY 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
LESLEY ELWELL VICE CHAIR, EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
AMY GUERICH VICE CHAIR, PHILANTHROPY 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
MIKE LANNING VICE CHAIR, FACILITIES 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
DEAN NEWTON VICE CHAIR, GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
NIKKI EMISON VICE CHAIR, COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
SABRINA WIEWEL VICE CHAIR, MARKETING & SALES 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
ROBERT K WOLF VICE CHAIR, FINANCE 1.00
Officer Director
$0 $0 $0
AVIVA AJMERA DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CHARLES W BATTEY EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ROBERT A BERSTEIN EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
BECKY BLADES DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
WENDY BURGESS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JEFF CARSON DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DIANNA CLEAVER EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JONI COBB DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL COLLINS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL CONDON DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TOBY COOK DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARK COULTER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JAMES D DAWSON EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
STEVE DOYAL EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
PEGGY J DUNN EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ED ENYEART DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JILL FARRELL DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ANITA B GORMAN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
GREG M GRAVES EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RICHARD HEISE DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
SHIRLEY BUSH HELZBERG EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ROBERT HINGULA DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JENNY HOUSLEY DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
HEATHER JONES DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
KEVIN KELLY DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JACK W KENNEDY EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL KNECHT DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL T LANNING DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TONDEE LUTTERMAN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RAMSEY MOHSEN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MICHAEL F MORRISSEY EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
JOHN MURPHY EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
DR TROY NASH DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
TEMPE OSTERGREN DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ORA REYNOLDS EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
EMILY TILGNER DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
ANGELO TROZZOLO DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
MARK VAN DYNE DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
VANESSA VAUGHN-WEST DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CAROLYN WATLEY EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
W RUSSELL WELSH EX-OFFICIO 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
CAREY WILKINS DIRECTOR 1.00
Director
$0 $0 $0
RICHARD BAKER PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR OF THEATRICAL PROGRAMMING 40.00
Officer
$217,294 $49,340 $266,634
WILLIAM WAUGH VP OF CONCERTS & IT 40.00
Officer
$132,136 $15,035 $147,171
BESS WALLERSTEIN-HUFF VP OF MARKETING & SALES 40.00
Officer
$171,071 $16,482 $187,553
DEBRA CHURCHILL VP OF OPERATIONS 40.00
Officer
$148,285 $15,817 $164,102
KENT ANDEL VP OF PRODUCTION/ARTISTIC DIRECTOR 40.00
Officer
$103,226 $22,801 $126,027
ALEXANDER JONES VP OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 40.00
Officer
$116,562 $28,696 $145,258
JACQUES HASSEN VP OF EMPLOYEE EXPERIENCE 40.00
Officer
$77,564 $11,441 $89,005
CAROLINE GIBEL VP OF PROGRAMMING 40.00
Officer
$75,164 $10,408 $85,572
JEFFREY MILLER CONCERT SPONSORSHIP & VIP SALES MNGT 40.00
Highest
$108,164 $25,383 $133,547
Note: Compensation data is self-reported by the organization on their Form 990. "Reportable Comp" includes salary, bonuses, and other reportable compensation from the organization and related organizations. "Other Comp" includes benefits, deferred compensation, and non-taxable benefits.

Historical Data

Year Revenue Expenses Assets Net Income
2025 No data No data No data No data
2024 $25,398,427 $22,032,977 $48,879,840 $3,365,450
2023 $27,891,268 $24,495,408 $44,756,852 $3,395,860
2022 $27,963,583 $15,199,333 $43,695,119 $12,764,250
2021 $3,026,413 $6,399,762 $23,183,770 $-3,373,349
2020 $18,937,464 $20,482,436 $27,246,184 $-1,544,972
2018 $21,184,267 $22,262,086 $28,958,070 $-1,077,819
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