Kauffman Center Hosts Local Girl Scout Cadettes for “SPARK the Arts!” Event

Fifty local Girl Scout Cadettes visited the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts for their first-ever “SPARK the Arts!” event.

Photo by Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri

March 16, 2019 – In collaboration with the Kauffman Center’s resident arts organizations (Kansas City Ballet, Kansas City Symphony and Lyric Opera of Kansas City), Girl Scouts senior cadettes and accompanying adults got to hear about the career paths of working women at the Kauffman Center. In addition, the scouts learned about  all the behind the scenes work and details that go into creating performances at nonprofit arts organizations.

The Kauffman Center’s Open Doors Spotlight on Youth initiative connects youth artists and future art professionals with the Kauffman Center’s staff and stages. In combination with the “SPARK the Arts!” program, the Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri hope to enlighten young cadettes on career opportunities in the arts as they enter into the pivotal years of their education and future career planning.

“I know that I learned a lot from observing all the elements that go into each facet of the different types of performances and I know our girls walked away [with] a greater ability to see themselves as professionals in [the] industry.” – Mindy Ryan, Girl Scouts Community Partners Manager

More details of the individual presentations are featured below:

Kansas City Symphony

Stephanie Brimhall, Education Manager, spoke on careers for women within an orchestra. The presentation took place on stage in Helzberg Hall and included a performance by an all female string quartet followed by a Q&A for the girls.

Lyric Opera of Kansas City

Linda Ade Brand, Director of Education, spoke on set design followed by a behind the scenes tour of Muriel Kauffman Theatre in anticipation for the Lyric Opera’s opening night performance of Così fan tutte later that evening.

Kansas City Ballet

April Berry, Community Engagement Manager, spoke on professional careers for dancers, dance instructors and choreographers followed by an improvised dance session with the girls.

Kauffman Center Marketing Department

Joanna Polley, Community Outreach Supervisor, spoke on marketing campaigns and developing promotional social media posts. The girls were able to build their own social media campaign for an upcoming performance and tested their Instagram photo-taking abilities. They also found out how to get involved in this year’s Future Stages Festival.


All photos featured are provided by the Girl Scouts of NE Kansas & NW Missouri.

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