FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Carter Bryant
Sr. Mgr, The Drop
cbryant@artskc.org
Partnership with the City of Kansas City, MO and The American Theatre Guild delivers more than $3,500 in ticket value to Drop members
Kansas City, MO (August 2026) — ArtsKC’s The Drop program is “Off to See the Wizard!”
On August 13, 2026, 50 Drop Members attended the touring Broadway production of Wicked at the Kansas City Music Hall through a special free ticket offer.
Witnessing the untold story of the Witches of Oz was made possible through the generous support of 20 donated tickets from The American Theatre Guild, and continued investment from the City of Kansas City, Missouri, which helped support the purchase of 30 additional tickets and continues to remove barriers to arts participation for residents across the city. Additional support from the Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation helps ensure the program’s successful coordination and outreach.
The offer of up to 4 free tickets to Wicked was extended exclusively to Drop Members who registered through eight designated Community Ambassadors, reinforcing The Drop’s commitment to trusted, neighborhood-based engagement. Members received a private invitation via email and were required to submit their Drop Member ID number to verify eligibility. Tickets were distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, with intentional efforts to ensure at least one member connected to each ambassador could participate.
The Drop Team personally assigned seating to keep members and families together whenever possible and hosted extended in-person ticket pick-up hours—including evening availability—to accommodate working participants. Notably, members from six of the eight eligible ambassador groups claimed tickets, reflecting strong engagement and enthusiasm.
Following the event, members were invited to share testimonials and photos from their experience. These stories continue to demonstrate the impact of expanding access to transformative cultural moments.
“I had an amazing time going to see Wicked. I unfortunately didn’t snap any photos as I was just trying to be in the moment. It was my first time at Kansas City Music Hall. I was able to take the streetcar over so I didn’t have to worry about parking and it was only a short distance from the stop. Being inside felt really cool…I was able to see everything at a great angle from my seat and I thoroughly enjoyed the performance…I was chatting with people in the surrounding seats during intermission and it was nice to connect with how others were feeling and taking in the experience.”
Drop member, 3rd District KCMO
“I brought my mother, mother in law and my daughter. None of them had seen Wicked and I believe it was their first time at the music hall. We had great seats and really enjoyed the play. I personally thought Defying Gravity was amazing with the lighting. The costumes were also a big hit in our group. With the cost of everything it was a real treat to have a girls night at the theater. Thank you! “
Drop member, 3rd / 5th District KCMO
Since launching its pilot in 2023, The Drop has focused on creating meaningful pathways into Kansas City’s arts and culture ecosystem. Experiences like Wicked exemplify how intentional partnerships and public investment can open doors to unforgettable artistic experiences for community members who might otherwise face barriers to participation.
For more information about The Drop, visit artskc.org/thedrop