Spirit of Shakespeare Honorees Rick Waddell and Brian Bedford, Artistic Director Barbara Gaines, and Executive Director Criss Henderson

CST's Ryan Family Skyline Room

CST Associate Artistic Director Gary Griffin, Linda Myers, Board Member Richard Porter and Brittany Smith

Chicago Shakespeare Theater Board Members Sheila Penrose and Marilynn Thoma with Carl Thoma

Jenny Guse, Mandy Modic, and Amanda Tanguay as Showgirls from Follies

Chicago Shakespeare Theater Board Member Jack Karp and wife Betsy Karp and Virginia Bobins

CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines with longtime supporters Lew and Susan Manilow

Characters from CST's 25th Anniversary Season were brought to life in living art installations at Gala 2012

Chicago Shakespeare Theater Board Member Carole Segal with Jim and Ellen O'Connor

Board Chairman Ray McCaskey with wife Judy, actor Levenix Riddle as a Fairy from A Midsummer Night's Dream, Wayne Whalen, and Paula Wolff

Commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Michelle Boone, with CST Executive Director Criss Henderson, and actor Ericka Ratcliff, who will appear as Katherina in the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks production The Taming of the Shrew

CST's Jentes Family Courtyard Theater

Patrick Lebron, a student at Taft High School; Marilyn Halperin CST Director of Education and Communications of Evanston; Keith Lewis, teacher at Al Raby High School; Shannon White, teacher at Taft High School; Deainera Wellington, student at Al Raby High School; and Razan Almiladi, teacher at Hubbard High School

Chicago Shakespeare Theater Board Member Donna Van Eekeren (Donna Van Eekeren Foundation) with husband Dale Connelly, and Sally and Joe Boniecke

CST Board Members Eric Strickland and Ava Youngblood with Deborah Liverett of Northern Trust

Board Member Steve Solomon and wife Robin, CST Executive Director Criss Henderson, Bill Sharp of BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois and wife Guyneth

Photos by Robert Carl and Michael Litchfield