Kristen and Adrian Griggs: Coming Back for the Fun

At last year’s SCR Gala, Kristen Griggs noticed something that struck her as so unique that months later, it made her want to come back. In more ways than one.

“The fun brought us back,” she said. “We had such a good time at last year’s Gala, seeing it come together and seeing how much fun everyone was having. I don’t think I’ve ever been to a gala where before dinner was served, people were dancing. It was just a joyous event and it was hard not to want to be a part of that again.”

That fun, that experience of seeing people walk into a ballroom, hear music and break out into dancing even before the first course arrived was its own reward. And it brought Griggs and her husband, Adrian, back to chairing SCR’s 2024 Gala—Play On! The theatre social event of the season is Saturday, Oct. 19 at SCR and The Westin South Coast Plaza.

Last year’s Gala raised more than $369,000, funds that provided vital support to everything from SCR’s on-stage artistry to educational and community programs. During SCR’s 60th season, those programs included providing 4,000 free tickets to SCR productions to students from elementary schools to college.

“It was a great event, obviously. The people were engaged and the committees were all focused on raising money and supporting SCR in every way possible,” Adrian Griggs said. “When (former managing director) Paula (Tomei) asked us if we would return for another go, we said, ‘Heck yeah. Why not?’”

The couple, both theatre aficionados dating to their high school days at Point Loma High, used last year’s inaugural year as chairs for SCR’s 60th Season Gala as a learning experience. Committees were formed earlier, discussions about various design and thematic elements came into focus and a theme organically—and literally—grew from that collaboration.

“Last year was truly the celebration of 60 unbelievable years and the evolution of SCR,” Adrian Griggs said. “This year, part of our theme is ‘Grow.’ You’ll see that in some of our imagery we are building: greenery, trees, flowers. When I think about it, with Suzanne Appel starting as managing director, we have a new era at SCR beginning and I think the ‘Grow’ theme fits really nicely into that.

“Last year was not only a celebration of the past, but it was forward-looking. But this is all about where we’re going and the direction we’re headed. Having Suzanne and David Ivers representing SCR is new and it ties in thematically. … It’s still going to be a party, but in terms of where we’re going, this is going to be very much a forward-looking theme that we will have.”

One key element both Kristen and Adrian—who serves as vice president of finance on SCR’s Board of Trustees—said put the Gala on another level was the entertainment. Having master pianist and storyteller Hershey Felder play from his Great American Songbook Sing-Along last year gave the Griggs’ key understanding as to how meaningful that was for guests.

It played an important role in showing why an SCR Gala offers its guests rare experiences not offered elsewhere. The Griggs’ and their committee take no small measure of pride in being able to deliver that experience to Gala guests.

“The value and the experience that having Hershey Felder last year and having Melissa Rivers this year makes this gala different than almost any other one out there. You get to experience a red carpet, see a preshow and get a taste of why you’re here and why you’re supporting theatre,” Adrian Griggs said. “Moving over (to the Westin), everyone’s talking about what they saw. Everyone’s coming into the ballroom at the same time and they had the same experience. This unifies everyone when you come in. It reminds everyone why you’re supporting SCR. Those moments around live theatre and that whole experience makes it an evening of celebration worth remembering.”

Rivers will join SCR Artistic Director David Ivers on the Julianne Argyros Stage for an entertaining and candid conversation about her mother—legendary comedian Joan Rivers. Melissa Rivers will share stories that promise to engage and enlighten as they bring an American Icon to life, ahead of the world premiere of Joan by Daniel Goldstein.

“That’s why we’re here. That’s such a great reminder why we want to contribute and do everything we can to support theatre,” Kristen Griggs said. “Doing that during a fancy night where we’re dancing and enjoying ourselves and supporting the theatre—while having a chance to experience that theatre—it gives a great vibe to the Gala.

“Usually when you go to a play or musical, when it’s over, most often you go home. Maybe you talk about it in the car ride home with your partner or a friend. Then, you go home and go to bed. This is a way to capture that euphoria and carry it through the evening. It’s a great reminder why we’re excited about theatre and what it does for us. We want to talk about it and this is a way to keep it going.”