Setting the Stage

A group of children wearing red "Suzuki Academy" shirts perform on stage with violins. They stand in a row, each child focused intently on their instrument. The wooden stage and rows of seats in the background suggest a large auditorium or concert hall, part of the Future Stages Festival.

Future Stages Festival is a free one-day community event that showcases Kansas City’s youngest artists in diverse performances spanning multiple genres.

This event spotlights more than 600 hundred local performers, ages 5 – 18, as they showcase their talents throughout the day on four stages: Muriel Kauffman Theatre stage, Helzberg Hall stage, the Saint Luke’s Outdoor Stage and the Kansas City Symphony’s Mobile Music Box stage. Additionally, family-friendly arts activities are hosted on the south lawn and indoors in Brandmeyer Great Hall. With more than 30 youth performances as well as entertaining and educational arts activities, there’s something for everyone to enjoy!

Save the Date!

Future Stages Festival returns to the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts next summer on Sunday, June 15, 2025.

A choir performs on a well-lit stage in a modern concert hall with wooden interiors and an audience in attendance. The words "Future Stages Festival" are projected on the organ pipes in the background.

About Future Stages Festival

Since 2014, the Kauffman Center’s Future Stages Festival has provided a platform for local youth performers to showcase their talents and for everyone within the community to be connected to exceptional arts experiences. Featured acts highlight diversity in the arts, from powerful vocalists and breathtaking aerialists to rhythmic jazz bands and graceful Chinese folk dancer. The festival highlights all forms of performing arts and represents everyone in the community.

Future Stages Festival’s goal of supporting the upcoming generation of creatives aligns with the Kauffman Center’s mission to bring everyone extraordinary and diverse performing arts experiences.

A group of dancers dressed in green costumes perform a ballet routine on stage at the Future Stages Festival. They are in coordinated, graceful poses with arms extended and pointed toes, against a blue-lit backdrop.
A group of young performers in traditional Chinese attire, holding white fans and dressed in pink and white costumes, are dancing on a stage under colored lighting.

Call for Youth Performers

Stay tuned for more information about 2025 Future Stages Festival youth performance group applications!

A crowd gathers outside a modern glass building on a sunny day. Several white tents, part of a Kauffman Center Festival, are set up on the green lawn, with people sitting or standing around.

Two boys in white shirts play brass instruments while seated onstage. The background features wooden paneling and a blurred logo.

Colorful geometric art installation shaped like the Kauffman Center composed of black lines and surrounded by scattered multicolored confetti, set against an outdoor backdrop.

A young girl in a light blue dress places a colorful paper hand on a wall covered with similar handprints.

People are gathered in a spacious, modern building with large glass windows and curved architectural features. The area is lit with natural light, and there are various activities and booths set up.

Children, dressed in red shirts, playing cellos in an orchestra performance setting.

Children play an oversized Connect 4 game outdoors while adults and other children are visible in the background. One girl wears a crown and another is placing a yellow disc into the game.

A dancer in a black fringe dress and headband strikes a pose on stage against an orange background.

A young girl plays on a large interactive piano keyboard. The wall behind her is decorated with handprints, colorful designs, and the text "Grow Up Great Gallery." A no-running sign is visible.

A group of musicians performs on stage in a large concert hall illuminated by stage lights, with an organ in the background and an audience seated in front. The stage features the "future STAGES" sign.

A young boy sits at a table, crafting with colorful materials, accompanied by a woman. A sign for the American Theatre Guild is visible in the background.

Three young dancers in black leotards, blue and green ruffled skirts perform a routine, with one balanced on the others forming a pyramid on stage.

People ordering from a colorful food truck named "Tasty Unicorn" with a white unicorn graphic, parked next to a white vehicle on a sunny day.

A group of children stand on a stage with one in front speaking into a microphone. Other children are seated in the background, appearing to be part of a performance or rehearsal for the upcoming Future Stages Festival.

Ballet dancers wearing green costumes perform on stage with raised arms and flowing skirts.

A young girl in a yellow outfit and red scarf performs a traditional dance holding sticks under a tent.

A person stands behind a colorful, spinning kite with rainbow ribbons in a grassy park area. Trees, a building, and other people are visible in the background.

A person in a red dress and green foliage accessories performs a dance on stage, with one arm pointing upwards.

A group of children seated on stage under a tent, each playing a djembe drum and wearing colorful shirts. Five microphones are set up in front of them.

A person in a red shirt performs tricks with a diabolo on a dark stage.

Three musicians, two violinists and a cellist, perform on an outdoor stage decorated with colorful banners.

A large display with illuminated letters spelling "Saint Luke's," adorned with blue and white balloons and seahorse decorations, set in a modern, glass-walled venue.

Future Stages Festival Partners & Sponsors

Future Stages Festival is presented by our Premier Partner:

Saint Luke's Health System

 

This event is also supported by:

Additional support is provided by:

 

 

  • Evergy
  • JE Dunn Construction
  • Frances Swinken Supporting Foundation of the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City

7,500+

youth performers featured since 2014.

100+

community arts performance groups highlighted.

47,000+

total guests welcomed.

Frequently Asked Questions

View All Future Stages FAQs