Rob Giardinelli
A “Limelight” Evening Of Vintage Glamour, Cinematic Sparkle, And Show-Stopping Philanthropy Transforms The Capital City Into A Red-Carpet Reverie Worthy Of Broadway
By Rob Giardinelli Photography by Charles Quinn
THE SCENE: The campus of Zach Theatre in Austin was the setting for one of the city’s most fun, creative, and engaging signature fundraising events. A sold-out crowd featuring 435 of the area’s most notable art patrons, community leaders, sociables, and philanthropists supported Limelight. Benefiting Zach Theater, the three-act night delivered beautiful tributes and dazzling performances that those fortunate enough to be a part of will not soon forget.
THE VIBE: The “Old-Hollywood” glam-attired crowd wore their red carpet finest for an evening of revelry. As one looked around the space, patrons donning formal looks, elegant costumes, bold colors, prints, sequins, and fringe could be spotted throughout the crowd. The result was a high-energy vibe where everyone felt welcome.
Guests knew they were in for a very special evening as they were escorted around the theatre to the rear backstage entrance to give patrons an insider’s look. Entering the rear entrance and down a neon-lit hallway, they were escorted to the Topfer Theatre stage for the first act of the evening, a lively cocktail hour.
During cocktail hour, guests sipped on their favorite spirits as acrobatic performers hovered overhead and danced on platforms. As the stage quickly filled up, revelers mingled with other guests and had the opportunity to engage in immersive Zach experiences. These included a sneak peek at the stunning costumes of various Zach productions as well as the opportunity to be made up by members of the Zach make-up team.
As cocktail hour drew to a close, guests were asked to gather at the front of the stage for a special array of performances that further raised the room’s energy. The crowd then filed through the theater and to the tent on the Outdoor People’s Plaza for the night’s second act: the dinner and main program.
KEYE-TV’s We Are Austin host, Trevor Scott, served as emcee, keeping the festivities moving at a fun, entertaining pace throughout the night. As partygoers dined on delectable multi-course meals, they were treated to words from event and organization leaders thanking them for being a part of such a special evening.
Next came a series of dazzling performances by various members of the Zach Theatre company, including a sneak peek at the upcoming performance of Annie. The highlight of the program was surprising Zach Producing Artistic Director Dave Steakley, with a special tribute honoring his 35 years of creating memorable performances for generations of theatre patrons.
The night continued with a spirited live auction helmed by Fred Northrup, Jr., featuring curated luxury trips and experiences, and the fund-a-need that followed kept the fundraising total steadily climbing. Top live auction items included a Behind the Scenes Tour of We Are Austin with Trevor Scott, dinner on the Topfer Theatre Stage, and The Ultimate Broadway or West End experience with Dave Steakley.
Feeling an incredible rush of high-energy after the gala, patrons then gathered back at the Topfer Theatre stage for the night’s third and final act: the after party. The fun continued well into the evening as revelers cut a rug to their favorite tunes on the Zach stage, courtesy of DJ Hype Rhythm, capping off yet another successful gala for one of Austin’s most beloved community organizations.
THE NON-PROFIT: The 2026 Limelight raised over $728,000 for Zach Theatre. Proceeds raised from the event will go towards funding the company’s production, education, and community impact programs, including a popular, robust Children’s Academy. Each year, over 125,000 Central Texans, including over 35,000 children, experience the joy and creative spark of theatre through outreach initiatives, camps, and classes.
