Constellation to host The Cool Kids Gala

A one-of-a-kind fundraiser for kids and grown-ups alike!

Families and community members are invited to the Cool Kids Gala, a vibrant celebration of creativity, self-expression, and belonging, taking place on Saturday, April 26 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM at the John Waldron Arts Center in downtown Bloomington.

At the heart of the event is a performance of Polkadots: The Cool Kids Musical, a family-friendly show inspired by the legacy of the Little Rock Nine. With music by two-time Emmy nominee Douglas Lyons and co-direction by Melanie Tojio Lockyer and Tony and Emmy Award-winner John Tartaglia, Polkadots follows Lily, the first Polkadot in an all-Square school, as she learns to navigate difference and find friendship and belonging. Hailed by Onstage Blog as “the next great multi-generational show,” Polkadots is as joyful as it is timely.

The gala also features a delicious catered meal, a family dance party with DJ Selah, a post-show cast meet-and-greet, and a hands-on collaborative art project guided by local artist Bobby Perez. Families will be invited to contribute to a large-scale visual art piece using drawing, painting, and collage—designed to reflect the themes of identity, imagination, and inclusion. The final installation will be featured during Bloomington’s First Friday Gallery Walk on May 2, offering the broader community a chance to witness the creative voices of young artists and their families brought together in one collective vision.

Tickets are $50 for adults and $37 for children 12 and under. All proceeds from the event support expanded access to the arts for families facing financial hardship, with a fundraising goal of $4,000 to provide free, subsidized tickets to families in need. 

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit seeconstellation.org.

This program is made possible in part by the McCarty New Works Initiative, which supports the development and presentation of new, inclusive, and impactful stories in Bloomington and beyond.

Help make theater accessible to all families by attending The Cool Kids Gala!