On Saturday, April 5, the beloved TPAC Gala makes its return to the Four Seasons Hotel for an evening of elegance, sophistication, and artistic surprises.
The black-tie gala serves as TPAC’s signature fundraiser, benefiting the theater’s nationally recognized educational, cultural, and community engagement initiatives. The presenting partner of the 2025 gala is Delta Dental, and we chatted with Delta Dental of Tennessee’s CEO Jeff Ballard to learn more about the TPAC Gala and the incredible programs supported by it. (tpac.org)
Nashville Lifestyles: What made you want to get involved with the TPAC Gala?
Jeff Ballard: At Delta Dental of Tennessee, we believe an educated society is a healthy society, and we share TPAC’s commitment to education and children’s health and well-being. This is also a personal passion for me. I grew up in a family of educators in small-town Tennessee, and their emphasis on education from an early age has really stuck with me. We were not able to travel much growing up, but books became a way for me to explore the wider world. The arts can foster that same sense of connection and exploration, and whether the story is told in a book or on a stage, I want to help make sure that all kids have that type of opportunity and exposure growing up. TPAC plays a critical role in creating those types of experiences for kids across our state, and I am proud to be a supporter.
NL: How are the funds raised from this event utilized?
JB: The funds raised from the TPAC Gala directly support TPAC’s wide range of educational and community outreach programs. These include arts education initiatives that bring the joy of theater, music, and dance to children all across Tennessee — many of whom might not otherwise have access to these experiences. We are particularly excited about TPAC’s new virtual field trip option, which offers free performances accessible via an online link to students who cannot travel to TPAC for a certain period (usually 2-3 weeks).
NL: Why do you think supporting the TPAC Gala is important to our community, and why is TPAC vital to our community?
JB: TPAC serves as a cornerstone of cultural life in Tennessee, offering performances and programs that educate, entertain, and inspire. They offer something for everyone; my wife and I have been attending Broadway shows at TPAC for years, and they also host dance performances, field trips, family days, classes for both kids and adults, and a variety of other offerings. By supporting the TPAC Gala, you are helping preserve and expand TPAC’s community engagement programs that make high-quality arts and arts education experiences available to all Tennesseans, including young people. The arts are also a good investment. When the arts thrive, communities flourish. The benefits resonate well beyond a single night of performance; the arts foster stronger community bonds, boost local economies, and open doors for future generations to explore their creativity and broaden their horizons.