Photo courtesy of Playhouse Square
Written by: Tabitha Jennings
The Jump Back Ball was a party to remember and if you have never attended then you must mark your calendar now for next year’s event. This event is so special because it’s not only a great time but it is what you would call partying with a purpose. The annual fundraiser hosted by Cleveland’s Playhouse Square’s young professionals group called Partners donates all proceeds to benefit Playhouse Square’s education programs. These education programs allow local schools to transport their kids to the playhouse to see shows during the school year.
The Playhouse Square Partners choose a uniquely fun theme for the night. This year’s theme was “Villians Unleashed: A Night of Chaos”. The guests were encouraged to dress within the theme and they brought the heat. Most guests tap into their inner child and the theme sparks their creativity. The tickets to attend the ball start at $75 for the late-night party, general admission is $155 and VIP for $200 and the experience is worth every penny. The ticket includes unlimited drinks, food, and entertainment. There are three ticket levels which makes it affordable for more guests to attend. Even though it is the middle of winter in the CLE, do not fret you can parking at the Playhouse Square Garage. The garage provides a minimum walk to the bridge that gives you access directly into the building. There was also a complimentary coat check for all guests to utilize.
Upon entering the Playhouse you are greeted by the first of many bars within the atrium area. The bar was stocked with top-shelf liquor and there were two signature cocktails. After grabbing my first drink for the night I made sure to hop in line for the 360 photo booth. The interactive photo experience allows you to dance or pose while it captures a video while spinning around you on a platform. As you walked further into the Playhouse the theme of the night became more evident by the art structures curated by the Playhouse Square Partners. The decor meticulously captured the essence of villains and you could not help but feel like you were in a lair.
Jump Back Ball guest dressed as an IRS agent and Sallie Mae- Photo by Shana Black
It was a joy to guess what villain guests were dressed as especially those who chose atypical villains. There was an IRS agent and Sallie Mae, the student loan servicer, that had everyone beat for the most hated. Among many Cruella Deville’s throughout the night, I found the guest with inflatable dalmatians to be the most riveting. The inventive decor sets highlighted many of the most favorite and notorious villains of all time.
I made my way to the main stage where a live band was welcoming the guests and singing songs that had the crowd on their feet for hours. There were two more fully stocked bars on stage as well as food stations with a mashed potato bar that was delectable. The stage housed a villains museum with notable villain memorabilia such as Thanos’s infinity gauntlet and Jason’s hockey mask. There was an interactive green screen photo booth for guests to capture the night that gifted three printed photos of our choice.
If you enjoy gambling then you had your choice of participating in a raffle or visiting the cash-in casino. All proceeds from the casino and raffle also went towards the fundraiser. The blackjack and roulette tables were the most popular of the night and there was an autographed Browns helmet that I am sure many guests had their hopes of winning.
Around 10:00 pm the party on the stage ended and we were directed back to the atrium area where the final party had already began. During the Late Night Party, a DJ entertained us with more great music mixes as the atrium turned into a dance floor. We enjoyed more drinks, hot pretzels, a nacho bar, pizza bagels, and a robust dessert bar. This was an awesome way to end the night.
The Jump Back Ball is a perfect date night for couples, a friend’s night out for the crew, or a mingling event to meet new people. The ball was exactly what we needed on a cold night in February to provide us with some fun during the winter blues.