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.
May 3, 2026
Ballet Folklorica de Topeka gave a stunning performance of Mexican folk dancing. We are so grateful to have had them in our community! Thanks to Vinage Bank KS for letting us use their parking lot. Funded by the Kansas Arts Commission.
Community Service by PBHS students
April 29th, 2026
Thanks to all the Peabody/Burns students and teachers who came and cleaned up the theatre!
South Kansas Symphony
April 27th, 2026
The South Kansas Symphony featured a world premier by SFT's Executive Director, Susan Mayo. What a treat to have a full symphony in Peabody! Funded by the Kansas Arts Commission.
Ron Wilson, Cowboy Poet
April 18th, 2026
Former board member Marilyn Jones had a great time introducing her old friend Ron Wilson, who went on to delight us with orginal coyboy poetry. Funded by the Kansas Arts Commission.
ARISE Choir
March 21, 2026
The ARISE choir touched our hearts with another wonderful presentation of spirtuals and stoytelling
St. Paul's Kaufee Haus and Open Mic
February 21, 2026
We had another great time with local talent at our annual Open Mic!
Peabody Sip and Shop
December 17, 2025
A big thank you to all who helped make Peabody, KS Holiday Sip and Shop so much fun. A special Sunflower thanks to Hannah Berns Bourbon and the Peabody Achiever’s 4-H Club for serving hot cider, and Rhonda Harrison, Virginia Skinner, and Autumn Tracy for leading carols…all outside the Sunflower Theatre!
McPherson Brass
December 7, 2025
McPherson Brass delighted us once again with a concert of seasonal favorites!
"Mr. Stinky Feet" Jim Cosgrove
December 6. 2025
Mr. Stinky Feet, Jim Cosgrove, entertained Peabody youth and their parents in a seasonal concert that was part of Peabody's Come Home For Christmas event. Funded by the Kansas Arts Commission.
Spam Carving with Erika Nelson
October 11, 2025
Erika Nelson led a Spam Carving workshop that all ages enjoyed. There was a Spam inspried luncheon following put together by Shirley Davis and Rodger Charles. Funded by the Kansas Arts Commission.
Jopara Ensemble in Concert
September 13, 2025
The Jopara Ensemble gave a wonderful concert of Paraguayn music and Porcupine Tea Company and Mercantile had Paraguayn food availalble! Funded by the Kansas Arts Commission.
June 21, 2025
Nevan Castaneda delighted audiences with an amazing array of Elvis tunes. His dancing and charisma set the crowd on fire!
Community Banners Are Up!
May 2025
Thanks to Roy Ortiz, Jason Warwick-Ortiz, Heidi Hittle, Ashlee Salazar-Fritz, and Addison Bush the banners created by the community USD #398 and Carol Bradbury are up downtown! Funded by the Kansas Arts Commission.
An Evening of Jazz with the Youngs and 496.
May 3, 2025
Peabody/Burns graduate Alex Young, who is majoring in music at WSU, brought friends and family together to present a spectacular evening of jazz.
ARISE Choir
March 29, 2024
March 29, 2024
The ARISE choir inspired us with their beautiful music and wonderful storytelling. The wonderful Sunflower Theatre Activities Committe provided fellowship and refreshments after the concert.
Open Mic at St. Paul's Kauffee Haus
February 16, 2024
We had a fabulous turnout of local performers and community memebers, all enjoying shared talents and coffee and pastries.
Article about Executive Director Susan Mayo.
January 2025
New York Times best-selling author and NPR veteran Michelle Mercer featured Susan in her Substack, Call and Response.
McPherson Brass Band
December 8, 2024
The McPherson Brass Band serenaded us with seasonal favorites!
Jay and Leslie
December 7, 2024
Jay and Leslie again entertained all ages at Peabody's Come Home For Christmas event. Thanks KAC for funding!
Science Saturday and Story Walk Virtual Reality Event
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
October 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".
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. Thanks to Vintage Bank KS for sponsoring!
The Sunflower Theatre receives an $8,500 Kansas Arts Commission Grant.
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
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
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.
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
March 23, 2024
The ARISE Gospel Choir made an amazing return visit!
The Peabody Market Historical Mural
Switchgrass String Quartet
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
December 3, 2023
The McPherson Brass Band delighted a full house with holiday favorites at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
Laughing Matters
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 Haymakers in Concert
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
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
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
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
March 11, 2023
The ARISE Ensemble gave a stunning performance at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
The McPherson Brass Band
December4 , 2022
The McPherson Brass Band entertained the community with seasonal favorites at St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
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.
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.
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
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
March 15, 2022
Shirley Davis led 2 sold-out cake decorating sessions. If you missed it we are planning another one!
Reader's Theatre
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
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
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
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
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
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
October 23, 2021
Shirley Davis offered a free pumpkin carving session on behalf of the Sunflower Theatre.
Interviews for Memories in Motion
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.
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.
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!
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
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!
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
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
December 1, 2020
Thanks to Ann Leppke for decorating the Sunflower Theatre for the holiday season!
COVID Outdoor Open Rehearsals
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
May 28, 2020
The Sunflower Theatre presents "Celebrating Peabody Creatives" - an art show featuring over 40 local artists.
Sunflower Theatre Wins Best Event at Trunk or Treat
October 31, 2019
The Sunflower Theatre creates a haunted house for Peabody's Trunk or Treat Street and wins best of show!
