Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s ensemble members joined more than 550 civic, corporate and cultural leaders for Gala 2015, the annual fundraising event for Steppenwolf Theatre, held at its North Halsted Street campus on May 9. The gala kicked off in the Downstairs Theatre where Tony Award-winning ensemble member Joan Allen introduced a scene from the current production of “The Herd” by Rory Kinnear, directed by Frank Galati.
Following the performance, Steppenwolf co-founder Gary Sinise and Tina Landau introduced fellow ensemble members onstage. Sinise recounted Steppenwolf’s journey from humble beginnings in a church basement in Highland Park to its place as an award-winning, nationally recognized theater. “We have two Pulitzer Prize-winning playwrights, an Illinois Arts Legend Award, 12 Tony Awards, multiple Jeff Awards and we’re the only theater company to ever be awarded the National Medal of the Arts,” he said.
A tribute to longtime artistic director Martha Lavey was canceled due to her recent illness, but Sinise thanked her for “taking us to new heights for the past 20 years and exploding this building with artistic joy and promise.”
In the gala tent next door, Event Creative’s decor was inspired by “The Herd” (on stage through June 14), which is set in suburban London. Lines from Steppenwolf plays were shown in script across the walls and ceiling amidst a contemporary English garden theme.
Following a welcome by ensemble member Anna Shapiro, a live auction featured one-of-a-kind experiences donated by Steppenwolf artists. Dinner with co-founder Jeff Perry and his castmates from ABC’s “Scandal” raised $95,000 for two packages. A dinner for four with Gary Sinise included VIP tickets to his Flag Day Concert at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego and sold for $30,000. Ensemble artist Jon Michael Hill introduced a video featuring students in the Steppenwolf for Young Adults program that currently serves more than 15,000 students, teachers and families.
For the finale, Sinise took to the stage with his Lt. Dan Band and rocked the tent until the wee hours as guests mixed, mingled and danced.
Co-chaired by Eileen and Christopher Murphy and Rhonda and Scott Swanson, the $1,000-per-ticket gala raised more than $1.2 million for the theater’s artistic, educational and community programming.
Nora Daley said, “It is an honor to serve as Board Chair for a theater that carries an uncompromising commitment to thought-provoking, adventurous work in our schools and neighborhoods, on stage in Chicago and beyond.”
Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.
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