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NEWS

Check out what we have been up to.

Here you will find a collection of publications and videos about our past events. Check out some of our featured articles below and learn more about our efforts.

Science Saturday and Story Walk Virtual Reality Event

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November 2, 2024

The Sunflower Theatre collaborated with the Peabody Township Library's community event "Science Saturday and Story Walk" for a Virtual Science Reality Experience. 


FREE thanks to SFT's generous donors.

Halloween Chili and Cinnamon Rolls

Pumpkin Carving and Birdhouse Painting

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December 31, 2024

We again served chili and cinnamon rolls at Trunk or Treat.

October 5, 2024

Michelle Butts donated birdhouses and pumpkins for painting at the Peabody Fall Festival!

Vintage Bank Kansas sponsors Ballet Wichita in "Once Upon a Fairytale".

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Septmeber 15, 2024

Ballet Wichita performed “Once Upon a Time,” a newly commissioned ballet, brought favorite characters from treasured fairytales together to the delight of the Peabody community.

The Sunflower Theatre receives an $8,500 Kansas Arts Commission Grant.

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August, 2024

 KAC Touring Roster Artist Carol Bradbury, of Bloomerang Studios, came to the Peabody/Burns Schools and the Peabody Fall Festival, to help create 8 crowd-sourced collaborative banners for downtown Peabody. Funded by the Kansas Arts Commission.

The Sunflower Theatre recieves a $20,000 Salary Assistance Grant from the Kansas Arts Commission

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June , 2024

The Sunflower Theatre received a grant from the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission to cover the cost for a one-year part-time executive director!

Asbestos Removal

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May 2024

Thanks to $44,000 from a BASE grant and $24,000 from private donations, we removed all the asbestos from the theatre!

Peter and the Wolf and Appalachian Spring.

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April 21, 2024

We presented an amazing concert of Peter and the Wolf and Appalachian Spring in collaboration with Wichita State and the Bartlett Arboretum. Funded by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission.

Arise Choir

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March 23, 2024

The ARISE Gospel Choir made an amazing return visit!

Switchgrass String Quartet

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February 25, 2024

The Switchgrass String Quartet performed in concert as part of the Sunflower Theatre Concert Series. Funded by the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission.

The McPherson Brass Band

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December 3, 2023

The McPherson Brass Band delighted a full house with holiday favorites at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

Laughing Matters

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December 2, 2023

Jay and Leslie, mimes and comedians with Laughing Matters entertained a spellbound audience at Peabody's Come Home for Christmas celebration. Thanks to the KCAIC for funding.

The Peabody Market Historical Mural

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October 22, 202

The Peabody Market Historical Mural is done! Much thanks to lead artists Jose Faus and Diana Werts, and assistants Astrid and Robin. Thanks to the KCAIC for funding.

Halloween Chili and Cinnamon Rolls

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October 31, 2024

We had chili and cinnamon rolls available again at Trunk or Treat!

Pumpkin Carving and Birdhouse Painting

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Octoboer 7 , 2024

Shirley Davis led a fun-filled pumpkin carving adventure and Michelle Butts provided birdhouses for kiddos to paint during the Peabody Fall Festival.

The Haymakers in Concert

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October 7, 2023

The Haymakers wowed folks at the Peabody Fall Festival as a kickoff to our 2023-2024 series. Thanks to the Kansas Creative Arts and Industries Commission for funding for 4 of the events.

Peabody Historical Mural

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August, 2023

Jose Faus has become the lead artist for our Peabody Historical Mural project and is painting up a storm with assistants Astrid E MieryTeran Jibaja and Robin Case. Thanks to the KCAIC for funding.

Bob Delk's 101 Birthday Celebration

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August 7 2023

101-year-old wunderkind Bob Delk played along with Susan Mayo and Steve Hanneman at the Peabody Farmer's Market, while the Sunflower Theatre sold dinners!

Marilyn Jones' 90th Birthday

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Septeber 4, 2023

We celebrated Marilyn Jones' 90th birthday at the Peabody Famrer's Market while the Sunflower Theatre sold dinners and Bob and friends provided music.

The ARISE Ensemble

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March 11, 2023

The ARISE Ensemble gave a stunning performance at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

The McPherson Brass Band

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December4 , 2022

The McPherson Brass Band entertained the community with seasonal favorites at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.

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October 2, 2022

The Weda Skirts gave an amazing concert to a full house as the kick-off event in the SFT 2022-23 series.

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October 1, 2022

Shirley Davis led a fun-filled pumpkin carving adventure and Michelle Butts provided birdhouses for kiddos to paint during the Peabody Fall Festival.

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Octoboer 1, 2022

Diana Werts will be lead artist for a historical mural to be painted by community residents on the Peabody Market. Sponsored by a $7500 Kansas Creative Arts and Industries Commission Grant.

1920s Gala Dinner

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April 4, 2022

We had a sold-out crowd for our 1920's Gala Dinner. It included cocktails, music, and dinner. An overwhelming amount of folks came dressed in 1920s style!

Cake Decorating

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March 15, 2022

Shirley Davis led 2 sold-out cake decorating sessions. If you missed it we are planning another one!

Reader's Theatre

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July 12, 2025

Local Peabody actors presented a Reader’s Theater  at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. “St. Pauls Kaffeehaus” was opened before and during for coffee and pastries.

Heritage Trust Fund Grant 

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February 26, 2022

The Sunflower Theatre has been awarded an $85,656 Kansas Historical Society Heritage Trust Fund Grant Award!! We will be restoring and preserving the beautiful historic art deco front as well as the entire outside brickwork of the building.
This building is on its way to becoming a hopping arts and event center in Peabody, KS!

10,000 Matching Fund Gift

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February 21, 2022

The theatre received an anonymous $10,000 matching fund gift to fund the removal of our asbestos tile ceiling. We reached our match on 4/15/22.

Gary Jones Memorial Fund

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March 6, 2022

Marilyn Jones has established several funds in memory of her amazing husband Gary Jones. One is with the Sunflower Theatre, via the Peabody Community Foundation. Your donation to the theatre will be doubled until the end of April by an anonymous $10,000 matching funds gift.

The McPherson Brass Band

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December 5, 2021

The Sunflower Theatre kicked off the 2021 Holiday Season and started a performance series at St Paul's Luthern Church in Peabody. We will be using this space as renovations on the theatre occur.  The  McPherson Brass Band, including local resident Taylor Ensminger, performed a stunning concert with amazing desserts served after.

Memories Through Motion

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September 19, 2021

Over 150 people enjoyed the original dance/music production based on memories of community members about the Sunflower Theatre. It featured professional musicians, dancers, the Peabody/Burns High School Choir, and the PBS Elementary School Bucket Band. Thanks to the KCAIC for funding.

Pumpkin Carving

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October 23, 2021

Shirley Davis offered a free pumpkin carving session on behalf of the Sunflower Theatre.

Interviews for Memories in Motion

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July 16, 2021

Cheyla Clawson and Susan Mayo collect memories for the dance project Memories in Motion. Thanks to the KCAIC for funding.

KSN features Peabody on their summer road trip.

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July 12, 2021

We had spudnuts and music by the theatre to help show off Peabody.

July 4th, 2021 long johns, spudnuts, and birthday cake.

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July 4th, 2021

We sold spudnuts and long johns, and gave away birthday cake to celebrate Peabody's 150th birthday!

Plastering work begins on the wall for the mural begins. Thanks to NM for his lift!

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June 15, 2021

Stan, Brandy, and Pappy start restoring the wall in preparation for the mural

"Helianthus" Kansas Creative ARts Industries Commission $9,200 Reimagined Spaces Grant

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May 31, 2021

The Sunflower Theatre was awarded a $9,200 Reimagined spaces grant form the KCAIC for the Sunflower Theatre to up a mural by renowned artist Stan Herd on the NE wall of the Sunflower Theatre.

Memorial Day 

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May 31, 2021

We welcomed alumni and other visitors on Memorial Day with spudnuts by Marilyn Jones, a visit by Stan Herd, and a silent auction of repurposed bowling balls.

Sunflower Theatre's temporary dance floor is installed!

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February 1, 2021

Thanks to Mark Whitney for getting our floor into temporary shape for our upcoming dance project "Memories in Motion! Thanks also to sponsors KCAIC.

"Memories in Motion" Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission $10,000 Reimagined Spaces Grant

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January 1, 2021

 The Peabody Community Foundation was awarded a $10,000 Reimagined Spaces grant from the KCAIC for the Sunflower Theatre to to put a temporary floor in the theatre and host the dance project Memories in Motion. Funded by the KCAIC.

Winter Celebration

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December 1, 2020

Thanks to Ann Leppke for decorating the Sunflower Theatre for the holiday season!

The Sunflower Theatre's temporary marquee is installed

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October 31, 2020

We did it!! Our temporary art installation is up. Thanks to Ann Leppke for spearheading the effort and to all the contributing artists. We have community, alum, PBES/MS/HS Students, and some out of towners represented.

Halloween Chili Sale

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October 31, 2020

We had a socially distanced chili sale at Peabody's Trunk or Treat.

Mystery Unveiling of the Disgusting Plywood

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September 26, 2021

We saw what was underneath the disgusting plywood as local Peabody celebrities Tom Spencer, Jamie Hatton, and Darren Weems joined us to rip it off. Music by Taylor Ensminger.

COVID Outdoor Open Rehearsals

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June 10, 2020

Open Rehearsals outside the Sunflower Theatre continues with The Switchgrass Quartet, this Friday, 6/12, at 9:00 am! Observing/modeling safe social distancing for live musicians....check us out!

The Sunflower Theatre Celebrates Peabody Creatives

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May 28, 2020

The Sunflower Theatre presents "Celebrating Peabody Creatives" - an art show featuring over 40 local artists.

Sunflower Theatre Restoration Kickoff Concert

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September 21, 2019

Our first event, a concert with original music, featuring professional musicians and the Peabody/Burns High School Choir was held in September of 2019. Funded by the KCAIC.

Sunflower Theatre Wins Best Event at Trunk or Treat Street

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October 31, 2019

The Sunflower Theatre creates a haunted house for Peabody's Trunk or Treat Street and wins best of show!

Peabody United Methodist Church Volunteer Clean Up

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September 19, 2019

The Peabody United Methodist Church volunteered to clean up the gutted inside of the theatre!

Sunflower Theatre Memories and Dreams, video by Mike Unruh

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August 14, 2019

Mike Unruh volunteers to create a video interviewing community members about their memories and dreams about the Sunflower Theatre.

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