Theatre Under The Stars hosted the Leading Ladies Luncheon on April 22 at Houston’s renowned Tony’s on Richmond Ave. The event honored Cissy Segall Davis with the Shirley Stein Outstanding Champion in the Arts and Education Award for her extensive work in the arts community in Houston.

“Cissy has been a champion for and has helped shape many Houston arts institutions, including TUTS,” said Hillary Hart, TUTS Executive Director. “We are delighted to honor her passionate work in the Houston arts community.”

The sold-out luncheon raised over $100,000 benefiting barrier-breaking programming at TUTS, the most ever raised for this event. During the program, awards for Arts Educator of the Year and Volunteer of the Year were also given to Melanie Bivens and Dawn Neal respectively.

The luncheon was emceed by Christina Wells and featured performances from the upcoming TUTS Musical Theatre Academy production of Into The Woods from student performers Mabyn Coleman and Haley Griffin. Along with the entertainment and awards ceremony, the event featured a silent auction and champagne raffle for a beautiful necklace from J. Landa. The 2021 Leading Ladies Luncheon was chaired by June Deadrick and honorary chairs, Council Member Sallie Alcorn and Dr. Teddy McDavid.

"I am ecstatic to celebrate one of the strongest supporters of the performing arts in our community – Cissy Segall Davis – and our two community awardees,” said June Deadrick, chair of the event. “It's been an honor to chair this event, which raises money to help provide opportunities for young people in our community to experience, as well as train in, musical theater with Theatre Under The Stars, an organization which I'm proud to support!".

Notable attendees included: Sofia Adrogue, Elaine Balagia Croucher, Kristen Cannon, ThuyLan Chang, Grace Givens, Leisa Holland Nelson Bowman, Demetra Jones, Dr. Sippi Khurana, Robin Klaes, Connie Kwan-Wong, Jay Landa, Sneha Merchant, Miriam Meyers, Amy Pierce, Kristina Somerville, Brad and Robin Stein, The Honorable Kristi Thibaut, and Ileana Treviño.

TUTS Leading Ladies are a dynamic group of women with a shared passion for musical theatre. They are committed to Theatre Under The Stars Education and Community Engagement efforts through volunteering, fundraising and hosting exclusive events for Houston’s most ardent performing arts advocates.