Better Makers: $1.2 million Raised for Chicago Shakespeare Theater in Urban Communities

On June 8, 2015 the Chicago Shakespeare Theater celebrated its 2015 Gala at Navy Pier, raising $1.2 million for Chicago Shakespeare in Urban Communities initiatives. Three hundred and fifty of Chicago’s civic, corporate and cultural leaders attended the event benefitting CST’s award-winning engagement programs including Team Shakespeare education initiatives and Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks. The fifth annual Spirit of Shakespeare Awards were presented to Civic Honoree Illinois Tool Works (ITW) and ITW’s Chairman David Parry and wife Ros Parry, and to Artistic Honorees Simon Callow and Phylicia Rashād.

The GALA 2015 Host Committee included: Allstate Insurance Company – Jess and Amanda Merten; Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott LLP – Mark Ouweleen and Sarah Harding; BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois – Maurice Smith, Nazneen Razi; BMO Harris Bank; Bulley & Andrews; Mr. and Mrs. Lester Crown; Dover Foundation; Exelon – Robin and Steve Solomon; Harve A. Ferrill and Karla Scherer; GCM Grosvenor; JLL; Betsy and Jack Karp; Kirkland & Ellis LLP – Richard Porter and Lydia Marti; KPMG – Charlene and Bill Tomazin; Raymond and Judy McCaskey; Northern Trust; Burton X. and Sheli Z. Rosenberg; John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe; Patrick and Shirley Ryan; Carole and Gordon Segal; Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP – Brian and Yasmina Duwe; The Sun-Times Foundation/The Chicago Community Trust – Michael and Jacky Ferro and The Donna Van Eekeren Foundation.

The living sculptures invited guests into the Courtyard Theater for the performance portion of GALA 2015. Photo by Daniel Ribar
The living sculptures invited guests into the Courtyard Theater for the performance portion of GALA 2015. Photo by Daniel Ribar
Spirit of Shakespeare Civic Honorees Ros and David Parry of Lake Forest accepted the honor on behalf of ITW. Photo by Daniel Ribar
Spirit of Shakespeare Civic Honorees Ros and David Parry of Lake Forest accepted the honor on behalf of ITW. Photo by Daniel Ribar
Amanda Merten and CST Board Member Jess Merten of Northbrook. Photo by Lauren Stenzel
Amanda Merten and CST Board Member Jess Merten of Northbrook. Photo by Lauren Stenzel
Chicago Shakespeare Creative Producer Rick Boynton of Evanston, Spirit of Shakespeare Artistic Honoree Phylicia Rashād, CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines of Chicago, Executive Director Criss Henderson of Evanston and Artistic Honoree Simon Callow. Photo by Daniel Ribar.
Chicago Shakespeare Creative Producer Rick Boynton of Evanston, Spirit of Shakespeare Artistic Honoree Phylicia Rashād, CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines of Chicago, Executive Director Criss Henderson of Evanston and Artistic Honoree Simon Callow. Photo by Daniel Ribar.
Evanston resident Marilyn J. Halperin, CST’s Director of Education and Communications and the Ray and Judy McCaskey Education Chair, with CPS Prosser Career Academy junior and GALA 2015 speaker Jennifer Gonzalez of Chicago. Photo by Lauren Stenzel
Evanston resident Marilyn J. Halperin, CST’s Director of Education and Communications and the Ray and Judy McCaskey Education Chair, with CPS Prosser Career Academy junior and GALA 2015 speaker Jennifer Gonzalez of Chicago. Photo by Lauren Stenzel
William R. Tobey of Chicago, Sallie Bulley of Kenilworth, Anne Tobey of Chicago and Allan E. Bulley, Jr. of Kenilworth. Photo by Lauren Stenzel
William R. Tobey of Chicago, Sallie Bulley of Kenilworth, Anne Tobey of Chicago and Allan E. Bulley, Jr. of Kenilworth. Photo by Lauren Stenzel

 

Melissa and Reeve Byron Waud of Lake Forest. Photo by Lauren Stenzel
Melissa and Reeve Byron Waud of Lake Forest. Photo by Lauren Stenzel
GALA 2015 on Monday, June 8 benefitted Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s award-winning education programs—which were recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama (left) at the White House this season.
GALA 2015 on Monday, June 8 benefitted Chicago Shakespeare Theater’s award-winning education programs—which were recognized by First Lady Michelle Obama (left) at the White House this season.

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