ArtsGala to showcase Wright State students’ artistic growth with elegant entertainment extravaganza

Wright State University’s ArtsGala returns Saturday, April 11, in the Creative Arts Center, offering an evening of performances, fine dining and a silent auction to support student scholarships in theatre, dance, music, motion pictures and visual art.

For dance major Emma McCaslin, it’s a chance to give back for the support she’s received, both financial and personal.

For Linda Menz, it’s an opportunity to highlight the arts’ impact on the broader community.

And for an estimated 700 patrons, it’s an evening of elegant entertainment in support of a meaningful cause.

That’s the spirit of Wright State University’s ArtsGala, set for Saturday, April 11, in the Creative Arts Center. One of the region’s premier arts events, ArtsGala showcases the talent of students in the School of Fine and Performing Arts.

Since 2000, ArtsGala has raised more than $4 million, providing more than 2,500 scholarships for student artists.

The festivities begin at 6 p.m. with a VIP reception, followed by the opening ceremony at 7 p.m. in Schuster Hall, with greetings by Wright State President Sue Edwards, Gary Schmidt, dean of the College of Liberal Arts, and Steven Aldridge, chair of the School of Fine and Performing Arts. Several students will perform previews of attractions available throughout the evening.

ArtsGala tickets and event information are available at wright.edu/artsgala.

The theme of this year’s ArtsGala is the Creative Garden.

“It represents the growth of our students, and their blossoming into their art,” said Rebecca Foley, ArtsGala coordinator.

This year’s event will feature performances and works by more than 300 fine and performing arts students.

“The patrons can see what the students do and can interact with them,” Foley said.

Student performances include:

• Artists in motion — dance performance
• “We’ve Got Magic to Do!” — 2026–27 theatre season preview
• Back to the ‘80s!” — musical theatre revue
• Highlights of “1776” — musical theatre performance
• Percussion ensemble performance
• “Rhythm in Bloom” — Manhattan-style jazz club
• Rainbow Room — interactive lighting
• Garden of Wonders —showcase of motion picture students’ wardrobe and production design work

ArtsGala also features a variety of dining rooms, including a biergarten with authentic German food by Amber Rose and beer by the Wandering Griffin Brewery, and a bourbon and cigar tent.

Patrons can also bid on international and domestic trips, dinners and entertainment, and a wide variety of works from community artists during the silent auction.

The auction will include artwork by two Wright State students: the photograph “Lightburst” by sophomore Suvekshya Maharjan and a relief print, “Still Life with Watering Can,” by junior Mikail Berger-Messenger.

Auction items will be available in the Stein Galleries, with bidding online at artsgala26.givesmart.com. Guests can view the items in person from 7 to 10:30 p.m. Supporters can also participate in the silent auction remotely, even if they are unable to attend ArtsGala.

Since 2000, ArtsGala has raised more than $4 million, funding more than 2,500 scholarships for students in the School of Fine and Performing Arts.

Among the students who have benefited from ArtsGala’s support is Emma McCaslin, a senior dance major from Avon, Indiana, who has received a scholarship from the event each of the past two years.

“It helped tremendously, being an out-of-state student,” she said.

ArtsGala allows students to show patrons “what we love to do and what they’re supporting,” she said. “It’s a fun night for us to put all this work in and for this beautiful, beautiful opportunity.”

The show of support from the patrons goes beyond finances.

“Being a dance major, you question a lot — the competitiveness of this career,” McCaslin said. “Having this extra support from the scholarship tells me I’m doing the right thing, and that my hard work is paying off.”

After graduating in May, McCaslin plans to move to Los Angeles to pursue a career in commercial dance, including touring and film work.

Linda Menz, co-chair of the ArtsGala Host Committee and director of underwriting for Discover Classical radio, said the event underscores the arts’ value both at Wright State and across the region.

“ArtsGala highlights the importance the arts play here and how they benefit the entire community,” Menz said. “It makes Wright State look good and the community even better.”