SHARON PLAYHOUSE
SPOTLIGHT GALA
Hey There, Good Times!
Saturday, May 30, 2026
SAVE THE DATE!
Join us for an unforgettable evening at the Sharon Playhouse Spotlight Gala—our signature celebration that launches the season in spectacular style.
The night will feature exquisite performances, a dazzling dinner, and heartfelt tributes to individuals who embody the spirit of our theater and community.
This highly anticipated event showcases the full Sharon Playhouse campus, beginning with a seated dinner in The Bok (including an exciting paddle raise), followed by a festive cocktail party on the Patio with live music, a thrilling performance on the Olsen Stage, and a lively after-party under the stars. It’s a night of celebration, connection, and joy you won’t want to miss.
We are proud to honor Skip Barber, an extraordinary community leader and motorsport pioneer whose influence extends far beyond the racetrack. Best known as the founder of the Skip Barber Racing School and a longtime steward of Lime Rock Park, Skip has played a vital role in shaping the cultural and civic life of our region.
A devoted supporter and longtime board member of the Sharon Playhouse, Skip has championed the arts with the same passion and commitment he has brought to motorsport—believing deeply in the power of institutions that bring people together, inspire excellence, and enrich community life.
Introducing The Spotlight Spirit Award
The evening will also include the presentation of the inaugural Spotlight Spirit Award, a new annual honor celebrating individuals whose unwavering commitment, generosity, and belief in the power of live theater illuminate the heart of the Sharon Playhouse.
Whether through artistic collaboration, volunteerism, leadership, or steadfast support, recipients of the Spotlight Spirit Award represent the very best of what makes Sharon Playhouse a place of creativity, connection, and joy—guiding lights who have nurtured our past, strengthened our present, and inspired our future.
We are thrilled to present the inaugural Spotlight Spirit Award to Sarah Combs, whose vision, leadership, and enduring devotion to the arts helped shape the very foundation of the Sharon Playhouse.
As a founding member of TriArts—the organization that would ultimately become Sharon Playhouse—Sarah set in motion a legacy of creativity and community that continues to thrive today. Over the decades, she has served as a passionate advocate, board member, Vice President of the Board, and now a lifetime Honorary Board Member, always leading with heart, humility, and unwavering dedication.
Her belief in the transformative power of theater, her tireless support of the Playhouse’s growth, and her deep care for the people who make it all possible embody everything this award was created to honor. For her extraordinary commitment, luminous spirit, and lasting impact, we are delighted to recognize Sarah Combs as the first recipient of the Spotlight Spirit Award.