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Gala 2019

On Monday, June 10, Chicago Shakespeare Theater celebrated GALA 2019, raising $1.2 million for Chicago Shakespeare in Classrooms and Communities initiatives—which include the Theater’s nationally recognized education programs and free citywide Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks tour.

The event included a one-night-only performance from the Chicago Shakespeare cast of the hit North American Premiere musical SIX and presentations of the annual Spirit of Shakespeare Awards. We thank the generous civic leaders, corporations, and foundations who supported GALA 2019. Their remarkable commitment will help us bring free Shakespeare to 18 Chicago neighborhoods this summer and reach 40,000 students and teachers through our education programs in the upcoming school year.

 

David Casper

SPIRIT OF SHAKESPEARE CIVIC HONOREE

BMO Harris Bank

accepted by David Casper, U.S. CEO, BMO Financial Group

The commitment of BMO Harris Bank and CEO David Casper helped catalyze an effort to create greater access to the arts in neighborhoods across the city. The Bank’s partnership with Chicago Shakespeare dates back to 1994, totaling an astounding $1.5 million investment over time. While early support was directed towards the Theater’s education programs and summer family musicals—a seed grant from BMO Harris in 2012 helped launch Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks. Now in its eighth summer, our continued partnership has sustained this summertime tradition that tours a professional production—free for all—to 18 neighborhood parks across our city. Together, we have introduced hundreds of thousands of Chicagoans to Shakespeare and forged authentic partnerships between the Theater and thousands of community members and artists. We are honored to present the 2019 Spirit of Shakespeare Award to one of our most valuable partners—BMO Harris Bank.

 

2019 Year of Chicago Theatre

SPIRIT OF SHAKESPEARE ARTISTIC HONOREE

The Chicago Actor

accepted by Kevin Gudahl, Heidi Kettenring, Emma Ladji, Ross Lehman, and Mike Nussbaum on behalf of the Chicago Acting Community

In honor of 2019’s citywide celebration, the Year of Chicago Theatre, this year’s Spirit of Shakespeare Artistic Honoree is the Chicago Actor. We are thrilled to salute the thousands of local actors whose talent and passion have served as the heart of Chicago Shakespeare since our founding days. Second to none, Chicago actors are united by a shared commitment to the tradition of ensemble, fiercely loyal to a visceral interpretation of text, and fearless in pushing the boundaries of theatrical expression.

 

SPONSORS

 

LEAD CONSORTIUM

BMO Harris Bank
 

Exelon
Robin and Steve Solomon

Harve A. Ferrill
 

Food For Thought

Kirkland and Ellis
Richard Porter and Lydia Marti
Linda and Dennis Myers
Joan and Kevin Evanich

Burton X. and Sheli Z. Rosenberg
 

Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation
 

The Segal Family Foundation
 

Anonymous (2)

 

 

HOST COMMITTEE

Allstate
Jess and Amanda Merten

AON

BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois
Maurice Smith
Nazneen Razi

The Boeing Company

Bulley & Andrews

The Crown Family

Kent and Liz Dauten
Keystone Capital

Virginia and Gary Gerst

ITW

The Jentes Family

The Family of Jack Karp

KPMG
Bill and Char Tomazin

Ray and Judy McCaskey

Northern Trust

John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Brian and Yasmina Duwe

Marilynn and Carl Thoma

 

 

 

Gallery: GALA 2019

 

Video: 2019 Spirit of Shakespeare Civic Honoree

 

Video: ”Shakespeare feels relevant to me”

 

 

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