Returning to the chairmanship of the Dallas Theater Center‘s fundraiser Centerstage 41, Hamilton A Sneed had a cornucopia of plans for the evening at Fashion Industry Gallery on Friday, May 2. They included tapping the DTC’s treasure of talents as well as handing out accolades to the right people, like theater person extraordinaire Joel Farrell and philanthropists Linda Custard and her late husband Bill Custard.
To top off the whole celebration, it netted $450,000 with Hamilton taking a final bow. Here’s a report from the field:
Hamilton A Sneed decided that chairing one year of Dallas Theater Center’s Centerstage fundraiser was not enough and signed back on immediately to pack it out for year two. Held on Friday, May 2, 2025, Dallas Theater Center’s annual Centerstage 41 fundraiser presented by Texas Instruments was held at Fashion Industry Gallery (FIG). Themed “Take a Bow,” this annual event celebrated all of the hard-working thespians in front of the curtain and the many artisans behind the scenes who make theater happen! The highly anticipated fête marked the 41st year for the annual Centerstage gala and was led by Sneed, as well as dedicated members of the DTC team. The attire of vibrant cocktail was set to sparkle, as guests arrived in head-to-toe shine—ready for an evening of theatrics, and undoubtedly ready for a show.
The evening of multimedia and fine dining began with a champagne cocktail reception highlighting the handcrafted artistry of DTC’s scenic, costume and props artisans, and the theater’s Public Works education and community engagement programs. A seated dinner followed honoring Joel Ferrell, the 2025 Linda and Bill Custard Award recipient, with a vibrant live auction and paddle raise, and ended with musical performances by the Diane And Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company plus celebrated members of the theater community.
Prior to the entertainment by the Brierley Resident Acting Company—nearly 300 guests, including Linda Custard, Dawn and Jon Mellon, Kimberly Alexander, Andy Smith and Paul von Wupperfeld, Diane and Hal Brierley, Jennifer and Peter Altabef, Terri Provencal, Melinda Johnson (sans Jim) and Grace Cook enjoyed themed cocktails, live entertainment and luxury raffle experiences.
As guests entered FIG and traversed the steps to the second floor of the building, they were immediately greeted by the glitz and glimmer of DTC’s 2017 Regional Theatre Tony Award®, front and center, and under bright lights, of course.
Just further down the carpet, guests were then whisked into the ambiance of a modern New York supper club, set with tables draped in shades of taupe linens that were bathed in purple lights. Greeted with Champagne Lallier’s Blan de Blancs, private rooms featured a fashion display of theatrical wigs used in former DTC productions such as “Rocky Horror Show’ and “Dracula,” while in adjoining rooms, a pop-up gallery of artistic works by DTC’s Public Works participants, as well as Project Discovery’s historical flashbacks were illuminated on display. Guests perused from room to room during the reception enjoying signature cocktails from Roxor Artisan Spirits, Sagamore Whiskey, Casa Obsidiana Tequila and Espresso Martinis featuring Disaronno and Tia Maria.
Hamilton called for guests to join him in the dining room and welcomed distinguished arts enthusiasts, Dallas luminaries and philanthropists from the stage to celebrate 66 years of the Dallas Theater Center, as well as the 41st annual gathering of its recognized Centerstage fundraiser, reminding everyone that the evening is an opportunity for patrons to support the on-stage productions and education & community outreach programs of the Tony Award® winning theater company.
“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, theater-goers, and dreamers,” said Sneed.
Following Sneed’s welcoming remarks, DTC’s Executive Director and CEO Kevin Moriarty took to the stage to present Joel Ferrell with the organization’s most prestigious award, the Linda and Bill Custard Award, which recognizes a board member, staff member, community representative, artist, or organization that has demonstrated extraordinary, distinguished, and long-time service and support to the theater.
This year’s award was even more poignant due to the passing of Bill Custard just two months prior. With Bill’s beloved wife, Linda Custard, looking on from the audience, Moriarty announced that DTC is dedicating its 2025-2026 season to the memory of Bill Custard. “On December 27, 1959, on Dallas Theater Center’s first opening night, Linda and Bill were at the brand-new Kalita Humphreys Theater on a date, eight 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.”
While Centerstage is always a celebration of live theater, it was clear that most of the people in the room had come to celebrate one of the brightest stars of the North Texas theater community: actor, director, choreographer, educator and this year’s winner of the Linda and Bill Custard Award – Joel Ferrell.
Ferrell’s distinguished career has ranged from studying at the School of American Ballet as a teenager; serving as head cheerleader at UT Austin; acting, singing and dancing on Broadway National Tours; serving as artistic director at Casa Mañana Theater in Fort Worth; and, from 2011 to 2019, as associate artistic director for Dallas Theater Center. Ferrell is currently a Professor of Practice in Theater and the Inaugural Director of the Sexton Institute for Musical Theatre at the SMU Meadows School of the Arts.
Moriarty spoke glowingly of Ferrell’s tireless dedication to the art of collaboration saying, “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 dined on a chef-curated, three-course dinner prepared by Vestals Catering and paired with wines from Napa-based wineries, Bezel by the Cakebread family and St. Francis Winery and Vineyards.
As dinner continued, Auctioneer Morgan Hopson took to the stage auctioning luxury experience packages that included a 3-night stay at Mesón Hidalgo in San Miguel de Allende with sunrise hot air balloon experience from Globo San Miguel; the Ultimate Dallas Chef’s Table Dine-A-Round featuring exclusive chef’s tastings, curated wine pairings, deluxe overnight stays and VIP perks from twelve of DFW’s leading chefs; an unparalleled brand experience with Ferragamo during Milan Fashion Week this September; a luxurious experience in Cabo with Las Ventanas Paraíso, a Rosewood Resort and Cabo Yacht Charters + Number Juan Tequila; and a Palm Springs to Napa getaway featuring a stay at the newly opened Thompson Palm Springs and tour and tasting experiences in Napa at Hall Wines and Raymond Vineyards.
Following the lively live auction, DTC Public Works Director Brandi Giles addressed the room and spoke passionately about what this evening funded. “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 night ended with musical performances by the Diane And Hal Brierley Resident Acting Company, joined by special surprise guests David Coffee, Julie Johnson and Denise Lee. Singing songs from Ferrell’s signature productions and accompanied by photographs and video tributes from artists across the country, the cast sang songs from “Cabaret,” “Rocky Horror Show,” “Once On This Island,” “Dreamgirls,” “Hairspray” and other favorites.
In addition to Presenting sponsor Texas Instruments, the 2025 Dallas Theater Center Centerstage 41 “Company” level sponsors include Jennifer and Peter Altabef, Diane and Hal Brierley, Clare and Cal Chaney, Linda and Bill Custard, Deedie Rose, Donna M. Wilhelm and Ferragamo.
Additional sponsors at the “Cast” and “Director” levels include Paula and Scott Orr, Hamilton A Sneed, Dawn Estes and David Timmins, Hall Group/Hall Arts Hotel, PNC Bank, The Eugene McDermott Foundation, Haynes Boone/Tiffany Ferris and Daniel Bennett, Craig Haynes, Melinda and Jim Johnson, Ruth Robinson and The House of Creed. Generous marketing support was provided from this year’s media sponsors “Patron Magazine” and “PaperCity.”
Proceeds raised from Centerstage make it possible for DTC to continue the inclusive and creative work of the organization with community and engagement programs such as Project Discovery, the Public Works Pageant, and many others.
And as for Hamilton A Sneed chairing Centerstage for a third year in 2026, he decided to finally “take a bow,” and pass the baton on to the next DTC event chair hopeful.
* Photo credit: Thomas Garza ** Photo credit: Tamytha Cameron
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