Sponsorship Opportunities

BECOME PART OF THE ARTS EXPRESS THEATRE FAMILY

HELP US CONTINUE TO PROVIDE EXTRAORDINARY MUSICAL THEATRE AND ARTS EDUCATION

Only 60% of costs are covered by Ticket Sales - your help supports the work we do on and off the Stage!

Season Sponsorship - $15,000

Become the heartbeat of our theater! Your partnership doesn't just support one production—it sustains an entire season of bold storytelling, artistic excellence, and transformative performances. With your generosity, Arts Express Theatre can dream bigger, create bolder, and deliver the exceptional theater our community craves.

Your legacy, woven throughout the season:

  • Prominent recognition throughout our entire season—in curtain speeches, promotional campaigns, playbills, and across our digital presence, ensuring your name is synonymous with excellence
  • VIP access to every mainstage production during the 2025-26 season—reserved seating at the Producer's table for the full theatrical journey, from opening night to finale
  • Exclusive invitations to Opening Night Cast Celebrations, where you'll celebrate alongside our most talented performers and creative visionaries
  • Insider conversations with our Producer and select Directors—rare, intimate meetings where you'll discover the artistic vision, creative problem-solving, and triumphant moments that bring each production to life
  • Premier seating at the Monte Awards competition—witness Southern Arizona's finest high school musical theater talent while representing Arts Express Theatre at this celebrated regional event

When you sponsor a season, you're not just supporting theater. You're championing artists, nurturing creativity, and becoming part of something truly special.

Mainstage Musical Theatre Production Sponsorships

Production Sponsorship - $5,000

Be part of the magic! Your partnership directly fuels exceptional theater—from stunning sets and lighting to powerful sound design and world-class performances. With your support, AET delivers the productions our community deserves, season after season.

Your impact, celebrated:

  • Featured recognition in our pre-show curtain speech, playbill, and website—where you'll receive the public recognition that you deserve
  • VIP access to the Producer's table for any two mainstage productions during the 2026-27 season, where you'll experience theater from the best seat in the house
  • Exclusive invitations to Opening Night Cast Celebrations, where you'll mingle with our talented performers and creative teams
  • Private conversations with our Directors and Music Directors—an intimate opportunity to hear firsthand how visionary artists shape our productions, overcome challenges, and celebrate triumphs

When you sponsor a production, you're not just supporting theater. You're investing in community, artistry, and unforgettable moments.

Creative Team Sponsorship - $2,500

Champion the artists who bring stories to life! Your support directly empowers a Director, Music Director, or Choreographer whose vision inspires you—enabling them to craft unforgettable theatrical experiences with the resources and creative freedom they deserve.

Your partnership, personally celebrated:

  • Recognition in our pre-show curtain speech, playbill, and website—proudly acknowledging your investment in artistic excellence
  • VIP seating at the Producer's table for any mainstage production during the 2026-27 season, where you'll experience theater from the best vantage point
  • Exclusive invitation to an Opening Night Cast Celebration—an intimate gathering where you'll connect with performers and the creative team you've helped support
  • One-on-one conversation with your sponsored Director, Music Director, or Choreographer—a rare opportunity to hear directly about their artistic approach, the creative challenges they've overcome, and the victories that made the production shine

When you sponsor a creative artist, you're not just funding a production. You're investing in the visionary who shapes it—and becoming part of their creative journey.

Sponsorships In Direct Support of Actors and Musicians

Actor or Musician Sponsorship - $1,200

Celebrate the talent that moves you. Your support directly lifts up an actor or musician whose performance captivates audiences—giving them the encouragement and resources to shine even brighter on stage.

Your appreciation, personally felt:

  • Recognition in our pre-show curtain speech, playbill, and website—a public celebration of your support for this talented performer
  • VIP seating at the Producer's table for any mainstage production during the 2024-25 season, where you'll have the best view of the artistry you're championing
  • Exclusive invitation to Opening Night Cast Celebration—an intimate gathering where you'll celebrate directly with the performers and creative team
  • One-on-one meeting with your sponsored actor or musician—a special opportunity to hear their personal story, learn about their creative process, and discover what drew them to their role or instrument

When you sponsor a performer, you're not just supporting a show. You're telling an artist, "Your talent matters. Your voice matters. You matter."

Artists Eat Too (AET) Team Sponsorship - $500

Fuel the magic behind the scenes. On days when our cast and crew perform back-to-back shows, a warm meal isn't just appreciated—it's essential. Your sponsorship provides nourishment, energy, and a moment of care that keeps our artists going through an exhausting day of performances.

Your generosity, felt by every performer:

  • Direct impact on the entire cast and crew—your meal fuels the talent that takes the stage for both matinee and evening performances
  • Recognition in the playbill, so audiences know you're supporting the hardworking artists behind every moment of magic
  • Personal gratitude in the form of a heartfelt thank you letter or video from the cast—a genuine connection with the performers whose day you've made better

The story behind the meal: Between a matinee and evening show, our actors, musicians, and crew have precious little time to rest and recharge.

When you sponsor a meal, you're not just feeding performers. You're showing them they matter. You're part of the reason they can give their absolute best to every single show.

Sponsorships in Support of AET Education Programs

Monte Awards Sponsorship - $5,000

Invest in tomorrow's theater stars. Your partnership fuels the Monte Awards program—a transformative initiative that discovers, develops, and celebrates the brightest emerging musical theater talent in Southern Arizona. You're not just sponsoring an awards program; you're launching careers and inspiring the next generation of artists.

Your impact, reaching far beyond the stage:

  • Direct support for adjudication that ensures fair, expert evaluation of high school musicals across the region
  • Funding for intensive coaching that helps young performers refine their craft, build confidence, and discover their artistic voice
  • Life-changing opportunity for Monte Award winners—sponsorship covers their transportation to New York for the prestigious Jimmy Awards, where regional champions compete on a national stage
  • Recognition in the Monte Awards curtain speech, playbill, and website—celebrated as a champion of emerging talent
  • VIP seating at the Producer's seating area for the Monte Awards Final, where you'll witness the extraordinary performances of Southern Arizona's most promising young artists

The ripple effect: When you sponsor the Monte Awards, you're doing more than recognizing talent. You're providing mentorship, professional development, and pathways to opportunity. 

When you invest in the Monte Awards, you're investing in the future of theater—and in young people who will carry that passion forward for a lifetime.

Youth Production Sponsorship - $1,500

Spark a lifelong love of theater. Your support brings musical theater magic to our youngest aspiring artists—making year-round youth productions and summer camp an unforgettable experience where children discover their voices, build confidence, and create memories that will last a lifetime.

Your generosity, nurturing the next generation:

  • Direct impact on AET's Summer Camp and Year-Round Youth Productions—enabling us to provide quality instruction, creative resources, and stage opportunities for young performers who are just beginning their theatrical journey
  • Recognition in the pre-show curtain speech, playbill, and website—celebrated as a champion of youth arts education
  • VIP seating at the Producer's table for one of our Youth Productions, where you'll witness the joy, energy, and raw talent of young performers taking the stage for the first time

Why youth productions matter: For many children, AET’s youth productions are their first experience performing on a real stage. 

When you sponsor a youth production, you're not just supporting a show. You're investing in young people's confidence, creativity, and dreams—planting seeds that may grow into a lifetime of artistic expression.

Drama Club Sponsorship - $250

Nurture young artists by supporting the Drama Club—a vibrant community where young performers aged 8 to 18 build skills, forge friendships, and discover mentors who inspire them to reach higher.

Your generosity, creating opportunities:

  • Year-round artistic growth for young artists through skill-building activities, collaborative projects, and creative exploration in a supportive, fun environment
  • Meaningful connections with professional artists and arts organizations across our community and beyond—opening doors to mentorship, inspiration, and real-world insights into the theater world
  • Enriching experiences including field trips and masterclasses led by accomplished artists—opportunities that expand horizons and deepen artistic passion
  • Community and belonging for young people who share a love of theater—a safe space where friendships blossom and confidence grows

What makes Drama Club special: It's more than just rehearsals and performances. It's a family. Members support each other, learn from seasoned professionals, and discover that they're part of something bigger than themselves.

When you sponsor Drama Club, you're not just funding activities. You're investing in a forum where shy kids find their voice, where artistic dreams take root, and where lifelong friendships are born.

Scholarships for Summer Camp - $750 per student

Open doors to dreams. Your sponsorship removes financial barriers and gives a young artist the gift of a transformative summer—where they'll discover their voice, build lasting friendships, and experience the joy of performing on stage.

Your impact, deeply personal:

  • Direct support for a financially disadvantaged youth aged 8 to 18, enabling full participation in our summer camps—from first rehearsal to opening night
  • Life-changing opportunity for a young person who might otherwise miss out on this enriching experience—you're not just funding a camp, you're investing in their confidence, creativity, and future
  • Recognition in the pre-show curtain speech, playbill, and website—celebrated as a champion of youth arts access and equity
  • Personal connection through a heartfelt thank you letter or video from your scholarship recipient—a genuine message of gratitude from the young artist whose summer you've made possible

The power of access: Not every young person has the opportunity to explore their artistic talents. Financial barriers shouldn't determine who gets to experience the magic of theater. Your scholarship says, "Your dreams matter. Your voice deserves to be heard."

When you sponsor a scholarship, you're not just paying for camp. You're changing a young person's life—giving them confidence, community, and the unforgettable memory of standing on stage.

Behind the Scenes Sponsorships - $250

Costume Sponsorship

Celebrate the artistry hidden in plain sight. Every stunning costume tells a story—and behind each one is a skilled designer, talented stitcher, and meticulous costume shop team bringing characters to life. Your sponsorship honors these unsung heroes and fuels the magic they create.

Your support, bringing characters to life:

  • Direct funding for specific costumes being created by AET's talented customers or thoughtfully selected for our productions—ensuring every performer steps on stage in authentic, beautifully crafted attire
  • Recognition in the playbill and on our website—celebrating your investment in the artisans who transform imagination into wearable art
  • Exclusive behind-the-scenes access through a private meeting with our Costume Shop Manager or Production Designer—a rare opportunity to tour our costume inventory, hear the creative stories behind specific designs, and discover the challenges overcome and triumphs celebrated in bringing characters to life

The craft you're supporting: Costume design is storytelling through fabric. It's about understanding character, history, and emotion—then translating that into every seam, every button, every perfectly placed detail. 

When you sponsor costumes, you're not just funding fabric and thread. You're underwriting our costume shop: where magic happens: sketches become reality, visions become wearable art, and performers find confidence in their characters' skins.

Backstage Sponsorship

Witness the invisible magic that makes theater possible. While audiences watch the stage, an extraordinary team of technical professionals orchestrates every light cue, sound effect, and scene change with precision and artistry. Your sponsorship celebrates the skilled craftspeople who create the technical foundation of unforgettable theater.

Your support, powering the production:

  • Recognition in the playbill and on our website—celebrated as a champion of the technical artists whose expertise makes every moment shine
  • Exclusive behind-the-scenes access through a private meeting with our Resident Stage Manager—a rare opportunity to explore the intricate systems, technology, and coordination that bring productions to life
  • Insider knowledge of crew and backstage roles—discover how stage managers, lighting designers, sound designers, and video technicians work in perfect synchronization
  • Technical deep dive into the sophisticated systems we use, including lighting and sound boards and Q-Lab, the powerful software that controls sound, video, and lighting in real-time—the digital heartbeat of our productions

The artistry behind the curtain: Technical theater is where precision meets creativity. It's about understanding a director's vision and translating it into light, sound, and movement.

When you sponsor backstage, you're not just supporting technology. You're recognizing the skill, creativity, and dedication of the technical professionals who  use split-second timing, problem-solving under pressure and cultivated artistry to make theater magic tangible.

Set Design Sponsorship

Build the worlds where stories come alive! Behind every breathtaking stage setting is a visionary designer and dedicated construction crew who transform imagination into tangible environments. Your sponsorship celebrates the architects and builders who create the physical foundation of theatrical magic.

Your support, constructing wonder:

Direct support for AET's set designer and construction crew—enabling them to realize bold creative visions and build stunning environments that transport audiences to new worlds

  • Recognition in the playbill and on our website—celebrated as a champion of the designers and builders whose craftsmanship makes theater immersive and unforgettable
  • Exclusive behind-the-scenes access through a private meeting with our Set Designer and Construction Lead—a rare opportunity to understand the creative process from concept to completion
  • Insider perspective on the challenges and triumphs of set design—learn how our designer collaborates with the director's vision, solves creative problems, and adapts concepts to our stage
  • Behind-the-curtain insight into the construction process—discover how our crew builds, paints, and installs complex sets in just a few weeks between productions, working with precision, creativity, and problem-solving under tight deadlines

The craft you're supporting: Set design is where architecture meets art. It's about understanding a story's world, honoring the director's vision, and creating an environment that enhances every scene. 

When you sponsor set design and construction, you're not just funding lumber and paint. You're investing in skilled craftspeople who work with wood, paint, and ingenuity to build sets that are both beautiful and functional.

Email stevie@arts-express.org to discuss your sponsorship plans!

Arts Express Inc. is a 501 (c) 3 organization: Tax ID #86-0941657.  Donations are deductible to the full extent of the law.

Arts Express Theatre, 5870 E. Broadway Blvd, #214, Tucson, AZ 85711

520-319-0400

Other Ways to Give

  • Check payable to Arts Express Theatre, 5870 E Broadway, #214, Tucson, AZ 85711
  • Donate appreciated stock Instruct your broker/custodian to deliver your stock to National Financial Services LLC, Arts Express Account #: B9F756411, DTC# 0226, 100 Crosby Parkway Covington, KY 41015, 800-343-3545. Please also notify Caroline@arts-express.org of your donation.

Additional Opportunities to Support AET -  Coming Soon

  • Donate to the upcoming AET Capital Campaign to expand our footprint and provide an even better experience for AET patrons.
  • Attend AET New Year’s Eve Gala and Fundraiser. Tickets on sale in September 2026
  • Donate items for the AET Live and Silent Auctions at the New Year’s Eve Gala and Fundraiser, or for the Mystery Box Fundraiser. Contact Susan at Susan@arts-express.org for more information
  • Sponsor a decorated holiday tree for our Festival of Trees Fundraiser