On the night of April 26, 2025, the beloved cultural institution, Writers Theatre, a Make It Better Foundation grant partner, welcomed 250 corporate and civic leaders to the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago for its annual WordPlay Gala. With the theme of “Be Bold. Be Here.”, the annual fundraising event raised a record-breaking $905,000 to support the company’s artistic excellence and education programs.
This year’s WordPlay honored BMO with the 2025 Spirit of Writers Theatre Award, recognizing the company’s commitment to the arts and community. For more than 30 years, BMO has been a steadfast supporter of Writers Theatre. BMO assisted Writers Theatre with its first business bank account in the 90s and later became the first Season Sponsor when the new world-class theatre designed by Jeanne Gang opened in 2016. BMO’s long–standing financial commitment has greatly impacted the work across all stages and has left an indelible mark on Writers Theatre and the Chicago theatre community at large.
Darrel Hackett (Chicago) and Writers Theatre Trustee Katie Florig (Winnetka/Managing Director, North Shore at BMO Wealth Management) co-chair WordPlay. The Gala Production Sponsor was Writers Theatre Trustee and civic leader Mary Pat Studdert (Wilmette).
Exceeding its reputation as one of Chicago’s finest benefit events, WordPlay included an elegant dinner and a one-of-a-kind performance directed and choreographed by Katie Spelman with musical direction by Joe Kinosian and emcees Rob Lindley and Maya Rowe. The entertainment starred performers familiar to Writers’ audiences, including Joseph Anthony Byrd, Matt Edmonds, Bri Sudia, and Matthew C. Yee.
Guests broke fundraising records on the live auction that included prizes such as a meet-and-greet with Stephan Colbert at a taping and backstage tour of The Colbert Show, followed by dinner with David Schwimmer; dinner under the stars with Deann and Chef Rick Bayless at their Chicago home; and an in-home dinner catered by La Taquiza of Highland Park.
Continued Artistic Growth
Writers Theatre boldly looks to the future as it begins its 34th season. Having captivated audiences for years with its dedication to creating the most intimate theatrical experience possible, the theatre is a major Chicagoland cultural destination with a national reputation for excellence, being called “America’s finest regional theater company” by The Wall Street Journal. Under the leadership of Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols, Artistic Director Braden Abraham, and Executive Director Kathryn M. Lipuma, the company is charting a path forward for the next 30 years.
Since its founding in 1992, Writers Theatre has stayed true to its core values: valuing the power of the written word and uplifting the artists who bring that word to life. The company has produced more than 140 productions—everything from inventive interpretations of classics to groundbreaking new work. In 2016, Writers Theatre opened a new, state-of-the-art facility designed by the internationally renowned Studio Gang Architects. The new facility has allowed the Theatre to accommodate its growing audience, while maintaining its trademark intimacy.
How to Help
Writers Theatre now welcomes more than 60,000 patrons each season and has helped establish the North Shore of Chicago as a premier cultural destination. Through its Literary Development Initiative, which has been responsible for the nurturing and premiering of more than 30 world premieres, the theatre has established itself as a major originator of new theatrical works.
Serving as an extension of the Writers Theatre’s mission, WT Education programs engage an average of 10,000 students each year with active learning opportunities centered around the written word.
