When Andrew McMahon stepped onto the stage at YouTube Theater on October 14, 2025, the crowd didn’t just hear a hit song—they heard a lifeline. The multiplatinum singer-songwriter, known for his work with Jack’s Mannequin and Something Corporate, wasn’t just performing. He was advocating. For every note he played, a student in Detroit might get a violin. For every chorus, a theater in Pittsburgh might stay open. That’s the quiet, powerful math behind the 2025 Theater Alliance GalaYouTube Theater, the signature fundraiser for the OVG Theater Alliance Fund, a 501(c)(3) created in partnership with Musics’s Promise.
Stars, Silence, and Solidarity
The night was a rare fusion: pop energy meets philanthropy. Betty Who, fresh off her Broadway run and riding the wave of her latest album, delivered a set that felt like a Broadway encore and a stadium show rolled into one. Meanwhile, comedian Ron Funches—warm, self-deprecating, and effortlessly charming—kept the room laughing between acts, reminding everyone this wasn’t just a gala. It was a reunion.More than 150 leaders from live entertainment, theater management, and hospitality packed the venue at Hollywood Park in Inglewood, California. The atmosphere wasn’t stiff or formal. It felt like a family dinner where everyone brought something to the table—whether it was a signed guitar, a VIP ticket bundle, or a promise to mentor a young stagehand.
The silent auction alone raised over $2.3 million. Items included front-row tickets to Hamilton in Chicago, a private dinner with a Tony-winning director, and an original costume from Hadestown. One bidder walked away with a handwritten lyric sheet from Andrew McMahon’s 2005 tour—his first real tour, before he had a label, before he had a name. "That’s the kind of artifact that reminds us where it all begins," said Noël Mirhadi, Senior Director of the OVG Theater Alliance.
Honoring the Architects
The evening’s Impact Awards went to two figures who’ve spent decades building invisible scaffolding for American theater. Alex Hodges, CEO of Nederlander Concerts, was recognized for securing long-term leases for regional theaters that were on the brink of closure. Aaron Egigian, founding artistic programmer at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, was honored for creating pathways for emerging composers and playwrights from underrepresented communities."They don’t take headlines," said Russell Gordon, Vice President & General Manager of YouTube Theater. "But without them, there’d be no stages for Betty Who, no venues for Andrew to play. They’re the reason the lights still turn on."
Why This Matters Beyond the Stage
The OVG Theater Alliance Fund doesn’t just write checks. It builds networks. In Detroit, it funds after-school theater programs in Title I schools, where 72% of students have never seen a live performance. In Pittsburgh, it partners with local churches to convert underused spaces into pop-up theaters. In Austin, it trains teens to produce digital archives of local plays—preserving stories that would otherwise vanish."It’s not about saving old buildings," explained Ryan Henry, Associate Director for Programming at the AT&T Performing Arts Center. "It’s about making sure the next generation knows that art isn’t a luxury. It’s infrastructure. Like libraries. Like sidewalks. Like public transit. We’re funding the bones of culture."
The Fund’s model is unique: it doesn’t just give money to theaters. It connects them. A small theater in Omaha can learn from a large one in Seattle. A community arts group in Memphis can share a curriculum with one in Minneapolis. It’s a living, breathing ecosystem—and last year, it reached 187,000 students across 37 states.
What’s Next?
The 2026 Gala is already in planning, with early talks about expanding to a second venue in Chicago. There’s also a new initiative: "Stage Access Grants," which will provide free tickets to low-income families for every performance at participating theaters. Early partners include the Kennedy Center, the Guthrie Theater, and the Public Theater in New York.Andrew McMahon summed it up after the show: "I grew up in New Jersey with a broken piano and a library card. That’s all I needed. But what if I’d had a teacher who took me to see my first play? What if I’d known someone who believed in me before I believed in myself? This isn’t about nostalgia. It’s about giving kids today what I barely had."
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the OVG Theater Alliance Fund decide where to allocate money?
The Fund uses a data-driven approach, prioritizing regions with declining arts funding, high youth poverty rates, and limited access to live performance. Grants are awarded based on proposals from local nonprofits, with a requirement that at least 40% of funds go directly to educational programming. In 2024, 68% of funded projects were led by BIPOC or LGBTQ+ organizations.
Who can apply for funding from the Theater Alliance Fund?
Any registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit or public institution focused on theater education, preservation, or community engagement can apply. Priority is given to small and mid-sized organizations without major corporate backing. Applications open each January, and winners are announced by June. Over 800 applications were received in 2025.
What’s the difference between the Theater Alliance Fund and other arts charities?
Unlike traditional arts foundations that fund individual productions, the Theater Alliance Fund invests in systems: staff training, ticket access programs, venue maintenance, and cross-regional collaboration. It’s less about funding a single play, and more about ensuring the entire ecosystem—from stagehands to students—can survive and thrive.
How can the public support the Theater Alliance Fund year-round?
Beyond attending the Gala, people can donate directly through the Fund’s website, volunteer as a mentor for youth theater programs, or host a community screening of a local play. The Fund also partners with streaming platforms to offer discounted digital access to archived performances, with proceeds going to arts education grants.
Why was YouTube Theater chosen as the venue?
YouTube Theater, part of Hollywood Park in Inglewood, was selected for its modern acoustics, accessibility by public transit, and capacity to host both intimate and large-scale performances. It’s also owned by Oak View Group, the same organization behind the Theater Alliance Fund, making it a symbolic home base for the mission. The venue’s 6,000-seat capacity allows for broad community impact without sacrificing intimacy.
Has the Gala’s fundraising goal changed since its inception?
Yes. The first Gala in 2021 raised $1.2 million. By 2023, it hit $3.1 million. In 2025, it surpassed $4.8 million—largely due to corporate sponsorships from DeKuyper and increased donor engagement. The Fund now aims to reach $10 million annually by 2028, with a long-term goal of funding 1,000 new youth theater positions across North America.