On April 23, 2016 — the 400th anniversary of William Shakespeare’s death — the Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) held its 2016 gala, a vibrant celebration that, through whimsical décor and clever performances, brought the legendary poet back to life. About 500 people attended the event, which raised a record $1.4 million that will benefit CST’s Urban Classrooms and Communities initiatives and the free citywide Shakespeare in the Parks tour.
CST’s lobbies and performance spaces were lavishly decorated by Bukiety and MDR Creative Inc. Clusters of chandeliers and sleek chrome tables were juxtaposed with old world accents and lush floral arrangements. Chicago Shakespeare artists posed in framed “living pictures,” depicting fashion from the past 400 years since Shakespeare died.
“We really wanted to make sure with the theme that we made it an event 400 years in the making and showed the legacy of Shakespeare and the current ways his work inspires modern audiences,” says Brooke Flanagan, director of advancement. “We transformed our theater and the lobby into a representation of what Shakespeare’s home and his art would look like 400 years later.”
In addition to honorary co-chairs Mayor Rahm Emanuel and Amy Rule, event co-chairs Ally and Suzette Bulley, Barbara Malott Kizziah and Keith Kizziah and Paulita Pike and Zulfiqar Bokhari organized the gala, which took place at CST’s home on Navy Pier. Food for Thought Catering served a three-course dinner featuring beef tenderloin and barramundi paired with wines by Van Duzer Vineyards. Dessert was “A Midsummer Night’s Cherry Trifle Dream,” a buttery pistachio financier layered with pistachio cream and tart cherry compote.
After dinner, CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Executive Director Criss Henderson presented ComEd CEO Anne Pramaggiore with the Spirit of Shakespeare Award, which honors people who keep the spirit of Shakespeare alive through community service and artistic leadership. Pramaggiore, who studied theater before getting into business, accepted the award on behalf of ComEd, a socially responsible company that works to protect the environment, support education, contribute to local arts and culture and aid in neighborhood development.
Gala attendees got a special treat when Tony- and Oliver-Award winning actor Alan Cumming performed four musical numbers along with Lance Horne, CST musical director, on the piano and ensemble member Tahirah Whittington on the cello.
Money raised at the gala will help to fund CST’s Team Shakespeare and Shakespeare in the Parks. CST partners with more than 400 schools and 2,500 English teachers to serve 40,000 students throughout Chicagoland through its Team Shakespeare initiatives. The innovative program brings Shakespeare’s sometimes difficult-to-understand works to life by teaming up teachers with theater artists. Through Team Shakespeare, thousands of students also have the opportunity to enjoy matinee performances at CST and participate in a program that uses arts education to address the emotional and social challenges facing today’s youth. The newest element of the program, Battle of the Bard, will let students face off in a slam-style competition using Shakespeare texts.
“We are leaders in education and a partner in literacy in terms of arts education in the city,” Flanagan says.
CST’s other community outreach program, Shakespeare in the Parks, makes theater accessible for all by bringing free performances of Shakespeare’s plays to parks around Chicago. The 2016 tour will feature 25 performances of “Twelfth Night” in 19 neighborhood parks from July 14 to August 14. Shakespeare in the Parks is the largest citywide component of the Shakespeare 400 Chicago festival, a yearlong celebration featuring 850 events incorporating theater, opera, music, dance and cuisine to honor and reimagine the enduring work of Shakespeare.
“We are committed to making sure every citizen of Chicago has access to cultural activities,” Flanagan says. “This gala is what fuels that work, and it’s where the lion’s share of that funding comes from.”
There are many ways to support CST’s community programs. Flanagan says the Bard Circle supports the work CST does on stages, and members are given special access to events with the artists. The Producers’ Guild is a leadership group that raises funds and generates awareness for the parks programs.
Coming this summer to CST is “Gary Busey’s One-Man Hamlet,” “The Merchant of Venice” and “Macbeth.” This fall, look for the second play in the “Tug of War” series, as well as “Songs of Lear,” “Enamorarse de un Incendio” and “The Revenge of Prince Zi Dan,” Shanghai Jingji Theatre’s reimagining of “Hamlet.” Click here for more information about upcoming shows or to purchase tickets.
Between CST’s exciting lineup of productions and the transformation happening at Navy Pier, Gaines says she expects to see big crowds this season.
“It’s beautiful now, and the restaurants have improved 100 percent,” she says. “If you were here two years ago, you won’t recognize the place.”
To read Make It Better’s upcoming feature on the revitalization of Navy Pier, subscribe to our Better Letter.
