FROM THE WINGS TO THE STAGE

At Broadway Rose, we get excited to give our donors a chance to see what it’s like to be part of a production—whether on stage or behind the scenes. At our annual fundraising Gala we offer two special experiences that allow guests to step beyond the audience and get a true insider’s perspective: Walk On Roles and In The Wings.

This summer, six generous donors joined the cast of Waitress on stage for the joyful wedding scene. Each donor was dressed to fit the role and paired with a professional actor who guided and supported them throughout the performance. For one evening, they weren’t just spectators—they were part of the story, getting a rare view of the audience from the other side of the stage.

We’ve had all sorts of donors take part in Walk On Roles: some are stepping onto a stage for the very first time, while others bring a rich history of performing experience. Donna Krauthoefer reflected, “Thank you for the exciting opportunity to be on stage as a wannabe performer during Waitress.”

We hope this opportunity allowed our donors to experience a bit of the onstage magic that their generosity helps make possible.

Four donors enjoyed a unique perspective during our production of Anything Goes, sitting just off stage left. Even as an actor, you don’t often get the chance to simply stand and watch a show in performance. This experience places you right at the entrance to the stage, where you can see both sides of a production in action. You might catch a set change happening or watch a stunning backdrop fly in and out from the top of the auditorium. It’s a front-row view of how every part of a production, onstage and backstage, works together to bring the story to life.

Angie Fenske shared, “Well, that was absolutely delightful! It was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Everyone in the cast was so fantastic and the costuming was gorgeous! I’d recommend it to anyone who has an interest in the full theatrical experience. I’m excited to see more shows in the future!”

Experiences like these and others are available at our annual fundraising Gala, coming up in April 2026. We love giving our donors an inside look at the artistry, energy, and teamwork that make live theatre so special—and showing them the impact their support has on every performance.

Walk On Roles, In The Wings opportunities, and other experiences will be available at our annual fundraising gala coming up in April 25 and 26, 2026.