On the evening of Friday, May 2, 2025, Dallas Theater Center hosted its 41st annual CENTERSTAGE Gala, presented by Texas Instruments, at the stylish Fashion Industry Gallery (FIG). Themed “Take a Bow,” this year’s celebration honored not only the performers who shine under the lights but also the artisans, educators, and visionaries behind the scenes whose devotion brings each production to life. Returning event chair Hamilton A Sneed led the festivities, which unfolded as a sweeping tribute to the theater’s enduring impact on Dallas’s cultural landscape. Nearly 300 guests gathered for a night that was equal parts spectacle and sentiment—beginning with a champagne reception and culminating in stirring musical performances by members of the Diane & Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company alongside beloved guest artists.
Upon arrival, attendees ascended FIG’s staircase and were transported into a theatrical reimagining of a contemporary New York supper club, with pristine white linens and a rich wash of violet light setting the stage. Lavish private salons featured displays of theatrical wigs from past DTC productions, a gallery showcasing artworks by Public Works participants, and a vivid visual archive of DTC’s Project Discovery legacy. Notables in attendance included including Linda Custard, Jon and Dawn Mellon, Kimberly Alexander, Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld, Diane and Hal Brierley, Jennifer and Peter Altabef, Terri Provencal, Melinda Johnson, and Grace Cook. Guests mingled with crafted cocktails provided by ROXOR Artisan Spirits, Sagamore Whiskey, Casa Obsidiana Tequila, and Disaronno and Tia Maria-laced espresso martinis. The immersive evening paid tribute to the holistic ecosystem of theater—from set carpenters to storytellers—underscoring DTC’s commitment to community and creativity. As dinner was called, Sneed welcomed Dallas’s arts patrons, philanthropists, and civic leaders, reminding all that the evening was not just a celebration, but a call to action—to sustain and expand the reach of the Tony Award®-winning company’s transformative education and outreach efforts.
“Tonight, is about celebrating everyone who makes theater happen at DTC — from wig makers to dressers, costume designers to technicians, woodworkers to musicians, ushers to actors, and everyone in between. DTC’s impact goes beyond the stage. It reaches into classrooms, neighborhoods, and communities across Dallas. I couldn’t be more excited to support the next generation of storytellers, theatergoers, and dreamers,” said Sneed. A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Linda and Bill Custard Award, DTC’s highest honor, bestowed upon Joel Ferrell—renowned actor, director, choreographer, educator, and former Associate Artistic Director of Dallas Theater Center. The moment was made especially poignant by the recent passing of Bill Custard, a stalwart of DTC since its inception. In tribute, Executive Director and CEO Kevin Moriarty announced that the 2025–2026 season will be dedicated to Custard’s memory.
“On December 27th, 1959, on Dallas Theater Center’s first opening night, Linda & Bill were at the brand-new Kalita Humphreys Theater on a date, 8 months before their 65-year marriage would begin,” Moriarty said. “It’s impossible to think of DTC’s history without thinking of Bill Custard. He and Linda have given so much of their time, their wisdom, their leadership and their financial support to ensure that DTC will thrive for generations to come.” Of Ferrell, Moriarty spoke with reverence: “Joel’s artistry and his mentorship is an extension of his family’s deepest values: grounded in justice, respect, and a deep awareness of our shared humanity Joel empowers others to express themselves truthfully. He provides opportunity for those who others attempt to marginalize. To come in for an audition. To be included in a rehearsal room. To lift up their voice and sing. To act – to take action. To stand up. To dance. To be seen and heard. This is what I love about Joel, and about the countless theater artists with whom he has formed a tribe for so many decades, creating outstanding productions.”
Following the award presentation, guests enjoyed a three-course meal by Vestals Catering, with wine pairings from Bezel by Cakebread and St. Francis Winery. The spirited live auction, conducted by Morgan Hopson, offered luxury travel and culinary experiences from Milan Fashion Week to San Miguel de Allende, Cabo San Lucas, and Palm Springs. The program continued with remarks from Brandi Giles, DTC Director of Public Works, who captured the soul of the evening: “Public Works is more than just a community engagement initiative—it’s a lifeline. It’s a door flung open wide, inviting people of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences to step into the world of theater not as spectators, but as storytellers. People who have never acted before—some who have never even been in a theater—find themselves singing, dancing, laughing, and creating side by side with professional artists.” The gala crescendoed in an emotionally charged musical revue featuring selections from Cabaret, Rocky Horror Show, Dreamgirls, Once On This Island, and more—productions shaped by Ferrell’s creative legacy. Performers included Resident Acting Company members and surprise guest stars David Coffee, Julie Johnson, and Denise Lee, punctuating the evening with joy, memory, and reverence.
CENTERSTAGE 41 was generously supported by “Company” level sponsors Jennifer and Peter Altabef, Diane and Hal Brierley, Clare and Cal Chaney, Linda and Bill Custard, Deedie Rose, Donna M. Wilhelm, and FERRAGAMO. “Cast” and “Director” level sponsors included Hamilton A Sneed, The Eugene McDermott Foundation, HALL Group, PNC Bank, Haynes Boone, and others, with media support from PATRON Magazine and PaperCity. Proceeds from CENTERSTAGE enable DTC to continue producing bold, inclusive theater and to deepen its engagement through initiatives like Project Discovery and the Public Works Pageant—ensuring that future generations of artists and audiences may continue to take the stage.
Photos by Tamytha Cameron and Thomas Garza