Marriott International & the Yao Foundation
Black Tie Gala Dinner 2024

A Theatre of Dreams

The annual Black Tie Gala Dinner by Marriott International and the Yao Foundation brings together partners, guests and communities around a shared purpose — creating better opportunities for children through education, sports and development programmes in rural areas of China.

For the 2024 edition, Evenage was invited to create an experience that could express this mission beyond a traditional charity dinner. The challenge was to develop a concept that would connect guests emotionally with the meaning behind the evening, allowing every visual element, performance and detail to contribute to one cohesive experience.

Creating the World Behind the Curtain

The idea behind “A Theatre of Dreams” was to create an atmosphere where guests could feel the emotion of the evening before the first performance began.

Inspired by the elegance and atmosphere of European theatres, we developed a visual direction built around mystery, emotion and anticipation. Deep red tones, dramatic curtains and refined details created the feeling of a theatre before the first act begins — a moment when guests are waiting to discover what story will unfold.

From Concept to Visual Identity

Bringing “A Theatre of Dreams” to life required a fully customised design approach. Our team developed a complete visual identity for the gala, from the key visual and typography to material references and spatial details.

Every element was carefully refined to create a unified design language, ensuring that the concept remained present across the entire gala experience.

From Visual Identity to Event Experience

A successful gala experience begins before the first performance — it starts from the moment guests arrive.

The visual identity of “A Theatre of Dreams” was carefully extended across the entire guest journey. From the first welcome moments to the dining environment, every touchpoint was designed to remind guests that they were entering a world inspired by theatre.

Custom-designed elements, elegant table settings, rich materials and carefully considered details carried the story throughout the venue, creating a cohesive atmosphere where the concept was present in every corner.

Bringing the Theatre to Life

To bring the story to life, we created a theatrical performance that connected different generations through the theme of dreams. Over several months of preparation, a group of children rehearsed specially created performances, sharing their thoughts, hopes and imagination through music and storytelling.

Their voices were complemented by professional performers, creating a dialogue between childhood imagination and the dreams, ambitions and experiences we carry as adults. Together, these elements created a meaningful dialogue between childhood imagination and the journey of growing up.

With carefully developed choreography, professional stage direction and performances by talented Shanghai-based artists, the gala programme was designed with the ambition and emotion of a full theatrical production — creating a live performance experience that became one of the defining moments of the evening.

A Meaningful Finale

The evening concluded with a carefully curated programme combining performances, celebration and a charity auction.

Bringing together guests, partners and supporters, the gala successfully fulfilled its mission of raising awareness and supporting the ongoing work of Marriott International and the Yao Foundation.

For Evenage, the project demonstrated how thoughtful event design and production can turn a single evening into an experience with lasting impact.

Planning Your Next Event or Brand Experience in China?

Every successful event begins with a meaningful idea and the right team to bring it to life. Whether you are planning a corporate gala, brand activation, conference, product launch or large-scale event in China, our team can help bring your ideas to life.

From creative concept development and event design to production management, technical coordination and on-site execution, Evenage provides end-to-end event solutions for international brands creating memorable experiences in China.

If you are looking for a local event production partner in Shanghai or across China, we would be happy to discuss your upcoming project.

Let’s create something meaningful together.