Kauffman Center to Host 2026 FUTURE STAGES FESTIVAL Featuring 35 Youth Performance Groups
The Kansas City festival will feature over 30 youth performance groups across four stages.
Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts will host its annual Future Stages Festival on Sunday, June 14, 2026, bringing together 35 youth performance groups from across the Kansas City region for a free afternoon of performances and arts activities.
The event will run from noon to 5:00 p.m. and will feature performances across four stages throughout the Kauffman Center campus, including the Muriel Kauffman Theatre, Helzberg Hall, Saint Luke’s Outdoor Stage, and the Kansas City Symphony’s Mobile Music Box stage. Family-friendly activities will also take place on the south lawn, in Brandmeyer Great Hall, and in the plaza lobby.
According to the Kauffman Center, participating youth artists were selected through a competitive application process and represent a range of performing arts disciplines.
Kauffman Center President and CEO Paul Schofer said in a statement, “Welcoming over 8,000 youth performers to our stages at Future Stages Festival these past 12 years has been an important part of our mission. We are thrilled to shine a spotlight on the next generation of artists at this event.”
The event will also include a special performance by an ensemble of professional musicians from the Kansas City Symphony.
2026 Future Stages Festival Performance Groups
- The A-Flat Youth Orchestra
- AileyCamp the Group
- Bellus Music Studio
- The Chinese School of Greater KC
- Cirque d'Laire Cascade
- Crescendo Conservatory
- Dance Electric Performance Troupe
- Dancers of Kansas City
- Fourth Horizon Jazz Ensemble
- Good Storey
- Greenleaf Performing Arts Academy
- Grupo Folklórico Alma Tapatía
- Gurukul Dance Company
- Harmony Project KC
- Heart of America Youth Ballet
- HK Chinese Folk Dance Group
- ICE Studios of Dance
- Island Style Productions
- Kansas City Aerial Arts
- The Kansas City Boys Choir and Kansas City Girls Choir
- Kansas City Chinese Institute of Language and Culture
- Kansas City Horn Club Youth Ensemble
- Kansas City Suzuki Academy
- KC Bhangra
- KC Youth Percussion Ensemble
- KCK Diamond Dolls
- Lawrence Center Irish Dancers
- Lyric Singers of St. Joseph Youth Chorale
- Priscilla & Dana's Tap Company
- Pythons Drill Team
- Refine the Studio
- Step Movement
- Storybook Theatre
- Voler Aerial Youth
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