Event to Also Celebrate the Long-Running Pioneer Theatre Guild
[SALT LAKE CITY, UT, MARCH 11, 2025] — Pioneer Theatre Company (PTC), Utah’s premier professional theatre in residence at the University of Utah, announces its honorees for the company’s annual gala—to be held April 26 at the S.J. Quinney College of Law on the University of Utah campus. The one-night-only celebration, hosted by Good Things Utah Co-Host Deena Marie Manzanares, will honor the Simmons Family Foundation as well as the Pioneer Theatre Guild.
HONORING THE SIMMONS FAMILY FOUNDATION
Receiving top recognition at this year’s PTC Gala is the Simmons Family Foundation, cited by PTC for “its visionary and extraordinary philanthropic generosity in support of Pioneer Theatre and the arts and cultural community in Utah.” Since its founding in 1986, the Simmons Family Foundation has been deeply committed to fostering the virtues of good citizenship through its support of religious, medical, community, artistic, and educational endeavors. With a steadfast dedication to enriching the lives of Utahns, the Foundation has played an instrumental role in sustaining and strengthening the cultural fabric of Utah.
“We at PTC are honored to celebrate and express our deepest gratitude to the Simmons Family Foundation. Their unwavering support has been an integral part of our journey, not only for PTC, but also for the broader Utah arts community,” said PTC Managing Director Adrian Budhu. “The generosity and vision of the Simmons Family have allowed us to cultivate a space where creativity can thrive, and we are forever grateful for the profound impact they have made in enriching our cultural landscape. Pioneer Theatre Company is honored to commemorate the Simmons Family Foundation’s enduring impact, ensuring that theatre remains a vibrant, transformative force for generations to come.“
In addition to decades of philanthropy and as a leading benefactor to PTC, it is worth noting the family’s most-recognizable contribution to the organization: serving as namesake for PTC’s flagship theatre, the Roy W. and Elizabeth E. Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre.
CELEBRATING THE PIONEER THEATRE GUILD
Also being elevated among the event’s festivities is the long-serving Pioneer Theatre Guild—a booster organization whose mission is to support PTC through spreading awareness and raising funds.
“The impact of the Pioneer Theatre Guild can’t be overstated. Whether it be providing volunteers for our events throughout the year, championing our works throughout the community, opening their individual homes, providing generous donations as individuals and as a collective, this is an organization whose support is unwavering,” said PTC Artistic Director Karen Azenberg. “It’s a joy to know that we will be taking a moment to uplift this organization that constantly uplifts PTC. They truly make us all ‘sparkle’ and we’re excited to return the favor.”
GALA DETAILS
The evening, held on the top floor of the S.J. Quinney College of Law (just south of Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre) on April 26, will feature a cocktail reception from 6-7:00 PM; followed by dinner, a short program honoring Simmons Family Foundation and the Pioneer Theatre Guild, and live musical performances from 7:00-9:30 PM. “Festive or business attire” is requested.
As previously mentioned, the evening will be emceed by Deena Marie Mazanares, who serves as co-host of Good Things Utah on ABC-4 five days per week. In addition to her work in lifestyle television, Manzanares is also an accomplished actress—having graced the stages of many local companies, including Pioneer Theatre Company.
CONFIRMED SPONSORS AND SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Table sponsorships for the PTC Gala range between $5000 (Bronze Level) and $25,000 (Platinum Level). A breakdown of sponsorship opportunities (including individual tickets, which are available at $250 and $500 levels) can be found at https://pioneertheatre.org/events/ptc2025gala/.
Pioneer Theatre Company gratefully acknowledges the following individuals and organizations who have committed to supporting this year’s gala: Simmons Family Foundation (Platinum Level); A. Scott Anderson, Boyer, George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Foundation (Silver Level); University of Utah Advancement, Cowboy Properties, Pat and Hank Hemingway, Parr Brown Gee & Loveless, Harris and Amanda Simmons, Katie and Ned Stringham, and Julia Simmons Watkins (Bronze Level); Adrian Budhu and Christopher LaChapelle, MD, Anonymous, Fuel Marketing, Laura Holleman, Esq., Charles and Kathie Horman, Provost Mitzi M. Montoya, Ph.D., Margaret Patterson Sargent, and Amy Wadsworth and David Richardson (Season Table Sponsors). Special thanks to the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law.
To purchase tickets or sponsorships, visit https://pioneertheatre.org/events/ptc2025gala/ for full details or contact PTC Director of Development Marc A. Day at [email protected] or 801-585-3196.
PRESS CONTACT
Joshua Black
Director of Marketing and Communications
[email protected]
INTERVIEWS
Managing Director Adrian Budhu can be made available for additional commentary, should that be of interest. Please contact Joshua Black to arrange.
ABOUT PIONEER THEATRE COMPANY (PTC)
Now celebrating its 63rd season, the award-winning PTC is Utah’s premiere professional theatre company and a leading arts organization of the West. Led by Artistic Director Karen Azenberg and Managing Director Adrian Budhu, PTC presents world-class productions that celebrate diversity in culture and society, and serve as the connecting bridge between art and scholarship as an affiliate of the University of Utah. Notable productions include the regional premieres of Les Misérables, Sting’s The Last Ship, and Frank Wildhorn’s The Count of Monte Cristo, as well as the world premieres of Shucked (the first-ever Broadway tryout in Utah), A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones, The Messenger by Jeff Talbott, and Ass by Ellen Simon. For more information, visit PioneerTheatre.org.
