This Initiative was established in 2016 by Bunni and Paul Copaken to celebrate the life and legacy of their close friend, Steve Metzler.
The Initiative provides underwriting to small and mid-sized nonprofits (annual budget less than $1.5M) to present a performance(s) at the Folly Theater. Applications should be designed to fulfill one or more of the following outcomes:
- elevate your organization’s public profile;
- expand and/or cultivate new audiences;
- promote diversity;
- enhance production values with the Folly’s expertise and facilities; and/or
- present new works which will contribute to Kansas City’s creative arts ecology.
The C. Stephen Metzler Hall at the Folly Theater boasts excellent acoustics and a 1,005 maximum seating capacity. This fall the theater will reopen following a $4.2 million renovation, offering audiences and artists refreshed spaces, including all new seating, carpet, and drapes, and refurbished lobbies, restrooms, and dressing rooms.
We at the Folly Theater look forward to receiving your submission and hope to work with you in the coming season! We urge you to share this information with other arts colleagues who might be interested in applying.
C. Stephen Metzler (1948 – 2015)