[Party Pix] Mosaic ‘Spark’ Fundraiser Excites, Exceeds Goal
The lobby of the Atlas Performing Arts Center buzzed with benefactors, boldface names, and belief in the power of performance earlier this month, as nearly 300 members of the Mosaic community gathered for The Spark 2026, the annual benefit of Mosaic Theater Company.
The Spark afternoon was a full-throated fête of art and activism. By evening’s end, more than $180,000 had been raised (nearly 20 percent above goal!), fueling Mosaic’s ambitious productions, education programs, and community engagement efforts for the season ahead.
This year’s honorees included Civic leader — and champion of new play development — George Vradenburg, who was recognized for his steadfast support of emerging female writers. Restaurateur, entrepreneur, and activist Andy Shallal was celebrated for his longstanding commitment to art as advocacy. And the 2026 Legacy Award went to philanthropist and founding board member Susan Clampitt, whose leadership has helped shape Mosaic’s trajectory from scrappy startup to cultural cornerstone.
Musical moments from Alex De Bard (fresh from Hello, Dolly! at Olney), Hamilton Hayes, Dante Pope, Echinacea Monroe Sidora, Nick tha 1da, and recording artist Latrice Pace, who stars in Mosaic’s upcoming Young John Lewis: Prodigy of Protest, kept the crowd captivated.
Guests were also treated to highlights from Young John Lewis and a preview of this summer’s Precarious, featuring Helen Hayes–nominated Dani Stoller and Kim Schraf, along with a sneak peek at Mosaic’s 2026–2027 season.
Between spirited auction bidding and standing ovations, attendees sampled savory bites from Busboys & Poets and sipped signature cocktails that matched the mood: celebratory, communal, and just a touch effervescent.
Yet beyond the performances and paddle raises, the afternoon underscored a deeper throughline. Mosaic has long positioned itself as a champion for bold voices and a bridge between communities, producing work that elevates equity, amplifies diverse perspectives, and invites dialogue across difference. The Spark aimed to be a living expression of that mission: artists and audiences, activists and advocates, gathered under one roof with shared purpose.
The purpose: a spark continues to smolder, lighting the way for another year of daring DC theater.
