On Friday, June 8, Chicago Shakespeare Theater celebrated the Spirit of Shakespeare by honoring leading philanthropists Marilynn and Carl Thoma and award-winning actor John Lithgow at GALA 2018. The evening’s festivities also included a special, one-night-only performance by star performers Heather Headley and Chris Mann. This remarkable event raised funds to support Chicago Shakespeare’s nationally recognized education programs and provide FREE performances in 18 underserved neighborhoods through the Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks program.
SPIRIT OF SHAKESPEARE CIVIC HONOREES
Marilynn and Carl Thoma
Civic leaders and philanthropists Marilynn and Carl Thoma were instrumental in the founding and have since been the driving force behind the evolution and growth of Chicago Shakespeare. Their generosity has fostered myriad cultural organizations and artists across the country.
Presented by Barbara Gaines, Chicago Shakespeare’s Founding Artistic Director
SPIRIT OF SHAKESPEARE ARTISTIC HONOREE
John Lithgow
Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actor John Lithgow’s celebrated career includes roles as varied as Twelfth Night’s Malvolio at the Royal Shakespeare Company to Sir Winston Churchill on the hit Netflix series The Crown.
Presented by Stephen Daldry, world-renowned theater, film and television director (Billy Elliot, The Hours, The Crown, and next season’s An Inspector Calls)
HEADLINE SPONSOR
Seth Boro Orlando Bravo Scott Crabill Lee Mitchell Holden Spaht
LEAD CONSORTIUM
Kenneth C. Griffin
Steve and Robin Solomon
Kent and Liz Dauten
Kevin and Joan Evanich
Linda and Dennis Myers
Richard Porter and Lydia Marti
Raymond and Judy McCaskey
Madhavan and Teresa Nayar
Burton X. and Sheli Z. Rosenberg
HOST COMMITTEE
Allstate Insurance Company
Jess and Amanda Merten
Aon
Bartlit Beck Herman Palenchar & Scott LLP
Mark Ouweleen and Sarah Harding
BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois
Maurice Smith
Nazneen Razi
BMO Harris Bank
The Boeing Company
Bulley & Andrews
The Crown Family
Dover Foundation
Harve A. Ferrill
Sonja and Conrad Fischer
Food For Thought
Richard and Barbara Franke
Virginia and Gary Gerst
ITW
Jan and Bill Jentes
JLL
Christie and John Kelly
The Family of Jack Karp
KPMG
Bill and Char Tomazin
Sheila Penrose and Ernie Mahaffey
J.B. and M.K. Pritzker Family Foundation
Razny Jewelers
John W. and Jeanne M. Rowe
Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation
The Segal Family Foundation
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Brian and Yasmina Duwe
Carl and Marilynn Thoma
Donna Van Eekeren Foundation