Theatre Under the Stars
Join event chair June Deadrick for the 2025 Leading Ladies Luncheon! This annual event is a celebration of community, creativity, and impact. This year, we are proud to honor Shelly Mulanax, the recipient of the Shirley Stein Outstanding Champion in the Arts and Education Award, for her remarkable contributions to the arts and education in Houston.
Shelly Mulanax epitomizes the spirit of service. A lifelong Houstonian, Shelly has served on the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Board of Directors for over 30 years, lending her talents to committees such as Art Show, Grand Entry, Special Children’s, and Mutton Bustin’. Her contributions extend to the Children’s Museum of Houston, Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, and the R.E. “Bob” and Vivian L. Smith Foundation, as well as over two decades of service on the TUTS Board of Directors.
Nominate an outstanding Arts Educator or Volunteer in your life to be recognized by Theatre Under The Stars!
The Arts Educator of the Year Award is presented to an educator in the Greater Houston area who has shown outstanding dedication and commitment to arts education and has gone above and beyond in promoting the arts and their importance to young people in our community.
The Community Volunteer of the Year Award is presented to those volunteers in the Greater Houston area who have shown outstanding dedication and commitment to supporting the work of our education programs, giving their time and effort to the success of the youth in our programs.
To see all event photos, click here.
Special thanks to Tony’s, Priscilla Dickson Photography, Texas Business Theatre, and Uplifted Concepts for their support of this event, as well as J. Landa Jewelry and LUCHO Ladies Shoes.
Thank you to our event sponsors: The Stein Family, ConocoPhillips, Patrice Baumann McKinney and Jay Landa, Amy & Rob Pierce, Marsha & David Taylor, The Underwood Family, June Deadrick, Demetra & Frank Jones, Lu Ann Stella Katz, Donna Vallone – Tony’s Restaurant, April & Wells McGee, FORVIS Private Client™, Leading Strong, Smart, and Bold Friends, The Leibman Family, LUCHO Ladies Shoes, Pierpont Communications, Inc., Andi Raizner, Cheryl Golub, and Donna Glass, and Julie & Joel Schweers.
Thank you to our auction donors: 4th Wall Theatre Company, All We Need Farm, Chloé, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, June Deadrick, Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe, Guard and Grace, Hamilton Shirts, Houston Astros Foundation, Houston Axe Throwing, Kendra Scott, Local Foods, Lone Star Sports and Entertainment, LUCHO, Main Street Theater, Manready Mercantile, Messina Hof, Amy & Rob Pierce, Piermarini, Andi Raizner, Robin Jackson Photography, Stages, The Leaning Pear, and Total Wine & More.
PAST HONOREES
Shirley Stein Outstanding Champion in the Arts and Education
- Donna Vallone (2024)
- Paula Harris (2023)
- Cissy Segall Davis (2022)
- Carrie Woliver (2021)
- *Shirley Stein z”I (2019)
Educator of the Year
- Rosie Curtis, Kinder HSPVA (2024)
- Justin Doran, St. Francis Episcopal High School (2023)
- Melanie Bivens, International Leadership of Texas Charter School (2022)
- Kristina Sullivan, Queensbury Theater (2021)
- Roshunda Jones-Koumba, G.W. Carver Magnet High School (2019)
Volunteer of the Year
- Julie Schweers (2024)
- Jennifer Lamb (2023)
- Dawn Neal (2022)
- Liese Kelly, Gia Ochsenbein, and Alyssa Sunew (2021)
- Dawn Powers (2019)
*Shirley Stein z”l was the first and greatest Leading Lady at Theatre Under The Stars. Shirley dedicated her life to what she loved most, her beloved family and friends, and her passion for the arts and arts education. TUTS was blessed that Shirley believed in our mission and for all the unconditional support, fierce loyalty, and contagious enthusiasm she gave our organization. As a true champion of the arts, the Leading Ladies honor her legacy with “The Shirley Stein Outstanding Champion in the Arts and Arts Education” to encourage other outstanding women in our community to step forward in bold ways to make a lasting impact for Houston’s arts and arts education.
Leading Ladies enjoy meaningful and exclusive TUTS experiences through social events, volunteer needs, leadership development, philanthropy, and members-only perks. For more information about TUTS Leading Ladies, click here.
