Take Part in the 2026 Giving Challenge
The Giving Challenge is an exciting 24-hour online giving event that connects about 700 nonprofit organizations with passionate donors and community members to support diverse causes and create enduring impact in Sarasota, Manatee, Charlotte and DeSoto counties.
Since 2012, the Giving Challenge has acted as a catalyst for connection and provided more than $92 million in unrestricted funding to our nonprofit community over nine challenges.
Being a part of the Giving Challenge can transform nonprofit organizations through meaningful relationships and partnerships, all while strengthening their potential reach.
The Giving Challenge is hosted by the Community Foundation of Sarasota County, with giving strengthened by The Patterson Foundation.
Keep up with the latest on social media with #GivingChallenge2026 and #BeTheOne
Noon to Noon, April 15 - 16, 2026
We’re so excited to be a part of the 2026 Giving Challenge! You can support our campaign by visiting GivingChallenge.org and donating on April 15-16. #GivingChallenge2026 #BeTheOne
This clever and heartfelt production begins with a theatre lover who invites you into their living room to listen to their favorite cast album. As the record spins, the story magically bursts to life—complete with dazzling showgirls, mistaken identities, a charming bride and groom, and of course, the delightfully tipsy chaperone who steals the show.
Packed with high-energy dance numbers, witty humor, and unforgettable songs, The Drowsy Chaperone is a loving parody of classic 1920s musicals that will leave audiences of all ages laughing and tapping their toes.
Join our talented Ovation performers as they Train. Shine. Perform. in this joyful celebration of musical theatre!
Tickets On Sale Now!
Performances April 17-19
Chorus Line voted Best Production for Young Audiences
🏆 AWARD WINNERS! 🏆
We are beyond proud to share that our production of A Chorus Line has won Best Production for Young Audiences by Broadway World Awards!
This show was filled with heart, discipline, vulnerability, and extraordinary young talent. Bravo to our cast, creative team, faculty, and families who made this moment possible. 💜✨
#BestProduction #AChorusLine #YoungArtists #TheatreEducation #OvationTheatre
Ovation Theatre Inc - 2026 Giving Challenge Story
A Look Back: The Power of our 2024 Donors
In 2024, our Ovation Theatre family came together in an extraordinary way. Because of the
generosity of our donors during the Giving Challenge, we were able to bring to life
unforgettable productions of SIX, Honk Jr, Hadestown Teen Edition, Shrek Jr, and A Chorus Line Teen Edition.
These weren’t just shows. They were opportunities for our young performers to step into the
world of professional theatre. With donor support, we were able to hire accomplished music
directors like Jenny Kim-Godfrey, who guided our students with the same expertise she brings
to professional stages. For many of our young artists, this was their very first chance to
experience what it feels like to work with professionals at the highest level—an opportunity
that sparked confidence, discipline, and joy that will carry with them for a lifetime.
Because of you, our students didn’t just perform—they grew as artists and as people.
Why Your Support Matters in 2026
Now, as we enter the 2026 Giving Challenge, we are once again asking for your help. Ovation
Theatre is more than just a place where musicals are performed. It’s a place where children
discover their voices, learn the value of teamwork, and find belonging in a community that
believes in them.
Your gift directly shapes the experiences of these young performers. It ensures we can
continue to produce professional-quality musicals, bring in directors and mentors who inspire,
and keep theatre accessible to families who might not otherwise have this opportunity.
Every dollar given is an investment in a child’s potential—on stage and beyond.
A Call to Action
The 2024 Giving Challenge showed what happens when our community steps up: young
people gained professional training, audiences were moved, and the arts thrived.
Now, imagine what we can do together in 2026. With your renewed support, we can open
even more doors for young performers, create more magical productions, and keep the flame
of live theatre burning brightly for the next generation.
■ Join us again in the 2026 Giving Challenge. Be the spark that keeps Ovation Theatre Inc.
shining.
2026 Giving Challenge - April 15-6, 2026 Noon - Noon
Presented by the Community Foundation of Sarasota
