Starlight Theatre’s $40 million makeover forced to pause for one year

Theaters and drama go together.

Kansas City’s Starlight Theatre in Swope Park is in the midst of some of its own, having paused — for one year — continued construction of a much-ballyhooed $40 million overhaul that began a year ago this month.

In the simplest terms, Starlight has not yet raised all the money needed to finish the project, whose price tag has escalated due to rising construction costs from tariffs.

The project had always been planned to be conducted in two phases, each to take place between October through April, in the theater’s off months. The highlight of the makeover is to be a new production truss over the outdoor theater’s stage, as well as a giant, opaque canopy designed to shade the 7,800-seat theater’s front 3,200 seats. Upgraded entrances, kitchen facilities and bathrooms are also in the plan.

The original schedule had the project being finished by April 2026, not only in time for the start of Starlight’s 2026 theatrical season, but also in time for Kansas City’s month-long hosting of the 2026 World Cup, set to begin that June.

That, however, is not going to happen.

Starlight continues to raise money

As part of phase one, two new towers designed to hold the production truss were finished this year. The hope was that construction of the truss, the canopy, new bathrooms, kitchen and other changes would have begun this month. That is now delayed.

“The second phase of construction is now planned to resume in the fall of 2026,” Starlight told The Star in a written statement, adding that the delay could be financially beneficial.

“This update,” the statement continued, “allows us to align with several public funding opportunities, including (state) tax credits and city funding — which together represent the remaining pieces of our finish line campaign.”

“The timing adjustment also ensures we can maintain our uniquely tight construction schedule without impacting summer operations and reflects the reality of navigating today’s broader economic climate, while keeping our project and community priorities in sync.”

On Wednesday, the city’s Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee voted to recommend that the City Council approve $3 million from the general fund to the Starlight project, seeing the theater as a city asset.

The organization did not say how much money remains to be raised, or how much the cost of the project may have increased.

In October 2024, the organization reported having $25 million of the $40 million goal , with $5 million donated by the Sunderland Foundation, $2.5 million from the Hall Family Foundation.

Other major gifts are coming from the William T. Kemper Foundation and Morgan Charitable Foundation.

Starlight had expected to receive $5 million from the state of the Missouri. In June last year, Missouri Gov. Mike Parson signed a $50.5 billion budget for the fiscal year. It vetoed millions of dollars in spending to have gone to Kansas City organizations, including $5 million for Starlight.

Starlight had also hoped to receive financial support from Jackson County, as well as possible grants from Kansas City. Private fundraising continues.

New education and community programs

Of the $40 million, Starlight’s plan includes using about $4 million to help fund five community programs:

▪ The Arts Bridge program, in which Starlight offers up its facilities to partner with and aid other arts organizations such as Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey, the University of Missouri-Kansas City Center for Neighborhoods and HeARTland Arts KC.

▪ Technical theater training to introduce area high school students to careers in lighting, costuming, set design, sound and stage management.

▪ Musical theater residency in which students from elementary schools with limited resources take part in a semester-long process to stage their own musicals and create lasting arts programs.

▪ Expanded community ticket program in which Starlight offers free access to performances.

▪ Performances for the young audiences series, which offers children and their families field trips and other means to attend matinees and weekend family shows at Starlight.

This story was originally published October 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM.