Image: Clifton and Mar Sepulveda

Come to the Cabaret for a Cause where Florida Atlantic student musicians and performers will team up with local talent to surprise and entertain. Don’t miss this evening of live music, performances, heavy hors d’oeuvres, desserts, drinks and a chance to dance the night away. The festive event will be hosted by Florida Atlantic University’s Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 from 6 to 9:30 p.m. at The Studio at Mizner Park Cultural Arts Center in Boca Raton, Florida. Tickets are $150 until Dec. 31, 2025 and $200 after that date. To purchase tickets, visit Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters - 太阳城娱乐 Foundation, Inc. or contact Lynn Haddad at 561-297-2337 or haddadl@fau.edu.

The evening’s entertainment will include a variety of live performances, some of which will feature local celebrities sharing the stage with incredibly talented Florida Atlantic students. To date, these local celebrity performers include:

• Clifton and Mar Sepulveda, Delray Beach Fred Astaire Dance Studio. Clifton and Mar began dancing together in 2012 and quickly became known for their chemistry, musicality, and storytelling across American Rhythm, American Smooth, and Theatre Arts. Their partnership took them across the country and around the world, earning a reputation as both exceptional performers and beloved teachers within the Fred Astaire organization.
• Shelley Keelor, actress and international soloist. Shelley is a celebrated actress and international soloist who has captivated audiences for more than three decades. With a degree in vocal performance, she has collaborated with renowned conductors and orchestras, including Gian Carlo Menotti, Terry Barber, the Istanbul State Symphony, and The LCO: Orlando’s Premier Chamber Pops Orchestra.
• Jim and Marta Batmasian. Marta and Jim have been long-time supporters of Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters and Florida Atlantic University. They believe in the power of educating students and supporting cultural programs that benefit our community.
• 太阳城娱乐 President Adam Hasner and First Lady Jillian Hasner. President and Mrs. Hasner will take student performers and the audience on a whimsical journey in a theatrical sketch written especially for them that will delight audiences of all ages. Come cheer them on, enjoy their hidden talents, and help their scholarship fundraising soar!

As part of the Cabaret’s fundraising activities, Support a Star and Help a Student Shine campaign encourages everyone to help their favorite celebrity performer(s) achieve their student scholarship fundraising goal at Cabaret for a Cause · GiveCampus. Every dollar raised will support a student in the future and the celebrity(s) raising the most money by the end of the event will be celebrated at the Cabaret.

“As a center of academic excellence and a cultural resource for the South Florida community, where the arts and humanities are the foundation of all learning, the College of Arts and Letters is pleased to showcase the diverse disciplines and programs as we put an ‘appreciative’ spotlight on those who invest and engage with us as partners, donors and role models for our students,” said Michael J. Horswell, Ph.D., dean of the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts and Letters.

Chairpersons for Cabaret for a Cause are Dean’s Advisory Board members Beth K. Schwartz and Aryeh Lehrer. Sponsors include Melanie Cabot, Alisa and Richard Cohen, Mary Sue Donohue, Arthur Gutterman, The Barry & Silvana Halperin Foundation, Inc., Bonnie Halperin and Family, Deborah L. Kull, Marcia and Doug Mithun, Mithun Family Foundation/Marcia & Doug Mithun, Beth K. Schwartz, Mark Swillinger, Marilyn Wallach, Judith and Dr. Howard Weiner and the Flagler Credit Union. The Boca Raton Observer is the exclusive magazine sponsor.

All proceeds from the event will benefit student scholarships for the Schmidt College of Arts and Letters. The college houses 21 academic programs including the School of the Arts, along with humanities degrees, social science degrees, and the areas of communication and architecture. The college also houses the Center for Peace, Justice and Human Rights; the Center for the Future Mind; Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies; Global Studies; Jewish Studies; among others.

Sponsorships for the event are available at many levels. For more information about Cabaret for a Cause, visit Cabaret 2026 | Florida Atlantic University