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Gala 2018

Gala 2018

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.

 

Carl and Marilynn Thoma

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

 

John Lithgow

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

Thoma Bravo

Seth Boro   Orlando Bravo   Scott Crabill   Lee Mitchell   Holden Spaht

 

LEAD CONSORTIUM

Citadel
Kenneth C. Griffin

Exelon
Steve and Robin Solomon


Kent and Liz Dauten

Kirkland and Ellis
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

 

 

  Lauren Lynch
       llynch@chicagoshakes.com
       312.667.4952

 

 

Gallery: GALA 2018

 

Interview with ABC-7 - Janet Davies interviews John Lithgow, 2018 Spirit of Shakespeare Award honoree
ABC-7: Janet Davies interviews John Lithgow, 2018 Spirit of Shakespeare Award honoree

 

 

Video: Introducing generations of students to Shakespeare

 

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