MJ

BROADWAY

The four-time Tony® Award winner about worldwide sensation Michael Jackson was a hit with our audiences, setting the national record for revenue for a two-week engagement.  

Tickets to MJ were a hot commodity at the Center, as nearly 50,000 audience members flocked to Segerstrom Hall to enjoy the music and story of Michael Jackson and his legendary 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Every single seat of the theater was filled for 12 out of the 16 performances, and audiences were raving about this show as their favorite of the season, in awe of the dancing and vocals that reminded them of the King of Pop. 

Drag Brunch

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

What started as a pre-show event for The Rocky Horror Picture Show screening in 2021 has grown exponentially and transformed Samueli Theater into a dazzling paradise for queer art.   

With the Broadway Divas led by the glamorous Clair Voyance, Drag Brunch at the Center features a full brunch buffet and a spectacular show by some of Orange County’s most talented drag queens. Each brunch takes on a different theme, drawing inspiration from famous movies, Broadway, and fairytales, and brings jaw-dropping performances with music that audiences know and love. Featuring elaborate costuming, drop-dead gorgeous makeup, and even background dancers, these drag queens deliver high production value and transport guests from a casual brunch to a fabulous party where this wonderful art form is celebrated and embraced.

After one full year of Drag Brunches in Samueli Theater, these events are still going strong and continue to expand, with even more performance dates, an expanded lineup of queens, and one-of-a-kind themes for each show.

Cécile McLorin Salvant

JAZZ

This 3-time GRAMMY® Award winner for Best Jazz Vocal Album returned with incomparable vocals that filled Samueli Theater.  

Salvant first delighted Center audiences in 2014 with her powerful voice and uniquely identifiable music. In the 2023–24 Jazz season, she brought her 2024 Grammy-nominated album Mélusine to our intimate jazz club for a divine musical treat. With songs like “Petite musique terrienne” and “La route enchantée,” Salvant delivered a performance filled with soulful emotion, nuance, and virtuosity—she is undoubtedly “the greatest jazz singer (one of the greatest singers, period) of our time” (Slate Magazine). 

Disney Musicals in Schools

EDUCATION

Disney Musicals in Schools has served over 7,000 students and nearly 200 teachers in 37 elementary schools cumulatively, and this year, we celebrated its 10th anniversary.    

Ten years ago, Segerstrom Center for the Arts partnered with Disney Theatrical Group to introduce an initiative that would implement sustainable musical theater programs in under-resourced public elementary schools. Ten years later, we celebrated the anniversary of a flourishing program that has served thousands of students, providing engaging arts education to students and professional development to teachers who might not otherwise have had the opportunity. 

Each year, schools choose from seven Disney Kids musicals—smartly designed 30-minute musicals for grades 3–5. At no cost to them, each school receives performance rights, educational support materials, and 17 weeks of guidance from Segerstrom Center for the Arts teaching artists. This year, Finding Nemo Kids was added to the show selections, becoming an instantly popular pick as it shone a light on many characters with disabilities.

At our Student Share Celebration on March 26, students from Year 1 schools performed excerpts from their musicals, adorned in vibrant costumes and smiling brightly at the roaring crowds cheering them on. For many of these students, it is their first time performing, and they reveled in the spotlight on the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall stage.

American Ballet Theatre's Woolf Works

DANCE

The North American premiere of Woolf Works mesmerized Center audiences with a captivating blend of dance and literature.   

In a continuation of Segerstrom Center’s partnership with American Ballet Theatre as the company’s official West Coast home, ABT’s internationally renowned dancers brought the writings of Virginia Woolf to life in a stunning three-act ballet. This visual masterpiece reimagined Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, Orlando, and The Waves through breathtaking artistry, and audiences reveled at unforgettable performances, Wayne McGregor’s exquisite choreography, and the striking visual designs that captured the essence of Woolf’s literary genius.  

This production was met with widespread audience and critical acclaim, with 
The Ballet Herald calling it a “visually compelling, hyperkinetic composition.” The piece went on to join ABT’s 2024 summer season in New York and was presented at Lincoln Center, continuing to earn rave reviews and captivate audiences.

ABT William J. Gillespie School

OUR SCHOOLS

This year, the school successfully launched new winter programs and introduced ABT’s National Training Curriculum Examinations to enhance student training and assessment.

This year, the American Ballet Theatre William J. Gillespie School welcomed Susan Brooker as its Artistic Director, where she has played a pivotal role in shaping the school’s innovative artistic vision and leading with excellence.

In December 2023, the Gillespie School launched its inaugural Nutcracker Camp for children ages 3–7 as an introduction to ballet during the holiday season. Both weekends of this camp quickly reached capacity with lengthy waitlists for both sessions, proving this program to be a resounding success. At the same time, the Winter Ballet Intensive launched for the Pre-Professional Division dancers to continue their training while the school closed for the holidays. Students were treated to ballet technique classes with the artistic staff from American Ballet Theatre, as well as partnering classes with gentlemen from ABT’s Studio Company and local college dance programs.

In the 2023–24 school year, ABT Gillespie also introduced American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum Student Examinations, in addition to the performance evaluations each semester. Examinations serve as a skill assessment and document progress, build confidence, and improve students’ training. Each student receives individualized feedback on technical and artistic proficiency, and passing students receive an official certificate with distinction. ABT NTC Student Exams will be in full swing for the 2024–25 school year.

Kristin Hannah

IN CONVERSATION

The Nightingale and Firefly Lane author went between the lines of her award-winning novels during a moderated Q&A by Julia Whelan.  

One of today’s most popular writers brought her unique insights and expertise on the literary world to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall stage for a one-night-only discussion that drew enthusiasts in from across Southern California. As an exclusive perk for our audience, we handed out 1,000 free signed copies of Hannah’s latest book, The Women, ahead of its public release. After Hannah’s in-depth Q&A where she discussed her writing process for her newest work, readers brought a copy home and enjoyed an early glimpse into the world she created.

Studio D: Art School for All Abilities

OUR SCHOOLS

As Studio D continued its on-site and off-site expansion, the school welcomed two new class offerings to the roster.

This year, the Center piloted the fourth Studio D curriculum developed in-house since the school opened in 2017: a ballet class. Guided by a dance instructor and accompanied by a live pianist, the students learn the fundamentals of ballet, following the traditional structure of a ballet class with barre and center movement exercises. Each class, students also explore characters, elements, and excerpts from classical story ballets—all with a Studio D spin! In addition to the incredible success of ballet, Studio D introduced theater classes to the public, giving students the opportunity to focus on acting, rehearse monologues and scenes, and dive into character work. Both classes have solidified a permanent place in Studio D’s offerings and were an integral part of the school’s expansion.

Jeremy Jordan

CABARET

After starring in The Great Gatsby on Broadway, musical theater heartthrob Jeremy Jordan made his Center debut with instantly sold-out performances.

This Broadway and television star known for roles in Newsies, The Last Five Years, and NBC’s Smash can capture and hold attention unlike any other. When the Center announced that Jeremy Jordan would be joining our 2023–24 Cabaret season, tickets for all four performances sold out shortly after they were released to the public.  

Jordan performed to a packed Samueli Theater, and when the opportunity arose to bring him back, the Center secured Jordan for the 2024–25 Headliners Series, upgrading his venue to the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. His exhilarating performance of Broadway’s biggest hits mesmerized our audiences once before, and we are delighted for him to rejoin our event lineup.

The Cassin Promise

EDUCATION

Supported by a substantial multi-year gift from Denise and Kevin Cassin, this initiative plans to reach more teens and young adults to create a sustainable future for arts education in Orange County’s underserved communities. 

Over the next several years, the Cassin Promise will significantly expand the Center’s outreach, replicating Summer at the Center’s model on a larger scale by bringing site-specific, no-cost programs to students from disproportionately low-income backgrounds. Through the development of adaptable offsite residencies, the Center works with teaching artists to bring vital arts programming into underserved communities, extending performing arts experiences to students with historically less access to arts instruction. 

With the unwavering support of our community and the enthusiasm of our partner organizations, the Cassin Promise is officially underway. Residencies and classes have officially launched with nearly a dozen partner organizations such as OC Rescue Mission, Casa Theresa, Orange County Department of Education’s ACCESS Division, and more, reaching at-promise teens and youth and expanding services similar to Summer at the Center and Disney Musicals in Schools. In the next several years, there are plans to reach even more schools and community centers, establish long-term partnerships, and create a sustainable pipeline for arts education and career opportunities. 

This program is made possible due to the steadfast generosity of Denise and Kevin Cassin, who made a significant multi-year gift to ensure this work could continue for years to come. The Cassins invite donors to join, hoping that this cause continues to impact thousands and can be sustained in perpetuity.  

49th Annual Candlelight Concert

This cherished tradition welcomed 5-time Grammy winner Michael Bublé to the stage for an evening that supported arts education and community engagement programs.  

Originally created in 1974 to raise funds for the construction of the Center, Candlelight Concert is a time-honored tradition that continues to support the expansion of mission-driven programs. This year’s event was co-chaired by Sam Tang and Molly Jolly and featured the incomparable Michael Bublé for an evening of wonderful music. The stage of Segerstrom Hall transformed into an elegant supper club with floral wallpaper, hand-painted gold magnolia leaves, and low lighting emanating from silver pendant lamps, creating the perfect ambiance for a night of sophisticated entertainment from one of today’s most sought-after artists.   

This spectacular celebration raised $5.3 million to support programs like Summer at the Center, Disney Musicals in Schools, Arts Teach, and more. This tremendous success and record-breaking fundraising are an incredible milestone for the Center, and we are thrilled to hit another milestone in December 2024: the 50th Annual Candlelight Concert!

Fostering Masterclass Experiences

EDUCATION

For the first time, our Candlelight Concert performer held a vocal master class at the Center, allowing high school students to learn from him ahead of his highly anticipated performance.

The highlight of this year’s master classes was a unique session with Michael Bublé, where six high school students from underserved local schools performed for the GRAMMY®-winning artist and received live feedback on tone quality, intonation, and performance techniques. This training provided students with valuable learning experiences as they tackled songs from The Great American Songbook and refined their skills for future performances alongside an artist they look up to.

Throughout the year, the Center provided students with various opportunities to foster their talent and expand their skillset with a series of master classes from professional artists. From American Ballet Theatre to Mandy Patinkin, The Lion King, and Aladdin, over 550 individuals have participated in master
classes this year, learning skills that will help them in auditions, dance classes, and more.

As the next generation of artists continues to hone their craft,
the Center is excited to facilitate master classes to unite 
professional artists and emerging talent.