Firehouse raises funds for new season

David Moore (left), executive director, and Owen Beans, associate producer, perform as well as emcee the entertainment.

Kris Ikejiri

Gala chairs Linda Bambina (left) and Sara Rivas take a moment to celebrate the culmination of months of hard work.

Kris Ikejiri

Clockwise from top left: City of Farmers Branch City Councilmember Roger Neal; Perla Tavera, director of economic development, tourism and planning for the City of Farmers Branch; Farmers Branch Mayor Terry Lynn and City Manager Ben Williamson pause during dinner and the season reveal program.

Kris Ikejiri

Jason Philip Solís (left) and Grant Hollowell perform during the season reveal.

Kris Ikejiri

Firehouse Theatre performers mug for the camera.

Kris Ikejiri

Jayden Russell reveals another production for the 2025 season.

Kris Ikejiri

Dale Jacobs (center) receives an award for Volunteer of the Year from Executive Director David Moore (left) and Associate Producer Owen Beans.

Kris Ikejiri

Tony Cummings (center) of the Billingsley Company receives the Leadership in Cultural Arts Award on behalf of Lucy Billingsley from David Moore (left) and Owen Beans.

Kris Ikejiri

From left: David Moore, Holly O’Quinn, Jason O’Quinn and Owen Beans smile for the camera. The O’Quinns received the Advancement of the Art Award.

Kris Ikejiri

The Firehouse Board Chair Shannon Buckley received the Courageous Resilience Award from David Moore (left) and Owen Beans for her leadership and focus to overcome challenges.

Kris Ikejiri

Daniel (left) and Dayna Dutton enjoy the 2025 Season Reveal Gala. Dayna serves as the theater’s costumer.

Kris Ikejiri

Jason and Heather Davila pose for photographer Kris Ikejiri.

Kris Ikejiri

Maryanne and Jack Pfeffer pause at dinner.

Kris Ikejiri

Associate Producer Owen Beans enjoys an intermission with his wife and fellow artist Ally Beans.

Kris Ikejiri

Posted Saturday, November 23, 2024 3:19 pm

Kate Bergeron

There’s not much to not love about a party that raises money for a good cause.

On an evening when another beloved organization also held its annual gala, The Firehouse Theatre’s 2025 Season Reveal Gala showcased four award winners and seven new shows and raised $150,000 with more than 200 attendees.

Dale Jacobs received the Volunteer of the Year award. Jacobs has helped with every job in the Front of the House and helped in numerous behind-the-scenes projects, including feeding the cast early dinners between Saturday shows, and funded school scholarships, said Linda Bambina, a board member with The Firehouse Theatre and a gala chair.

The Leadership in Cultural Arts Award went to Lucy Billingsley of The Billingsley Company for incorporating “art in public spaces where imagination and knowledge meet.”

Honorary gala chairs and board members Jason and Holly O’Quinn received the Advancement of the Arts Awards for helping “to build a sustainable organization through demonstrating an outstanding spirit of philanthropy.”

In addition, Board Chair Shannon Buckley received the Courageous Resilience Award in recognition of her “exceptionally strong leadership and unwavering focus to bravely face and overcome extreme challenges.”

A number of regular performers at The Firehouse Theatre joined gala emcees Executive Director David Moore and Associate Producer Owen Beans in entertaining attendees as well as presenting the seven shows for the 2025 season: Million Dollar Quartet about a jam session involving Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins in 1956; Godspell, a 1973 musical featuring non-Biblical characters who act out parables; The Wedding Singer, based on Adam Sandler’s hit movie; An American Musical Classic, an original musical featuring a wide range of classic American music; Rock of Ages, a musical built around the classic rock sounds of the 1980s; Clue on Stage, the ultimate murder mystery; and She Loves Me, a holiday-themed romantic comedy.

The event included a live auction of five experiences, including a roundtrip package to New York City to see a Broadway show, a seven-night stay in Tuscany for two, all-inclusive resort stays and private dinner with Chef Kent Rathburn for 10; a silent auction with nearly 150 items and multiple games, one of which included the winning of a $4,000 piece of jewelry from J Pratt Designs.