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Stream FREE now, in celebration of Shakespeare’s birthday!

To be, or not to be… there is no question. Starting April 23, Chicago Shakespeare invites audiences everywhere to celebrate the power of the arts with a free streaming event, TO BE. “All the world’s a stage” with a series of performances at the Theater’s home on Navy Pier and beyond. Through song, poetry, and boundless creativity, this 25-minute program celebrates the ways in which the spirit of Shakespeare moves us all.

 

Bruce A. Young in Henry V in 1986

A JOURNEY BACK TO WHERE IT ALL BEGAN

TO BE pays tribute to Chicago Shakespeare’s history with an appearance by Bruce A. Young, who spoke the first words in the inaugural production of Henry V on the roof of the Red Lion Pub, joined by esteemed Chicago actors Timothy Edward Kane and Elizabeth Ledo.

 

Jose iasEL Gonzalez Yin He Dance

SPOTLIGHT ON COMMUNITY ARTS PARTNERS

Over the past 12 years of Chicago Shakespeare in the Parks, the Theater has collaborated with community arts partners who embody the vitality of the arts in Chicago. Now, we are thrilled to share performances by some of those partners in the Courtyard Theater, including:

  • An original spoken word piece by actor, poet, and storyteller Jose iasEL Gonzalez
  • A performance by Yin He Dance, a company rooted in Chicago's Chinese American community

PERFORMANCES BY POWERHOUSE
CHICAGO VOCALISTS

Neala Barron, Luke Nowakowski, Juwon Tyrel Perry, and Cherise Thomas perform on the Courtyard  Theater stage, with music direction and accompaniment by David Fiorello.

 

Barbara Gaines

HONORING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BARBARA GAINES

Outgoing founding Artistic Director Barbara Gaines is honored with the Spirit of Shakespeare Award, celebrating her incredible 37-year tenure at the helm of Chicago Shakespeare and the vital role she has played in the city’s performing arts community.

 

 

Thank you to the sponsors of the Spirit of Shakespeare Awards 2023, whose support also helps make programs like TO BE available to all to enjoy. Their generosity fuels the Theater’s acclaimed arts-in-literacy and community connectivity programs. Each year, these initiatives support the work in classrooms, bringing Shakespeare to life for tens of thousands of students, and connect Chicago Shakespeare with neighborhood partners across the city.


Headlining Sponsors

Mark Ouweleen and Sarah Harding

Burton X. and Sheli Z. Rosenberg


Lead Consortium

The Jentes Family
Susan Manilow
Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan

The Segal Family Foundation
Steve and Robin Solomon


Host Committee

Allstate Insurance Company

Bartlit Beck LLP

BMO

Bulley & Andrews

The Crown Family

Kent and Liz Dauten,
Keystone Capital

Barbara Franke

Greg Gallopoulos

Virginia and Gary Gerst

ITW

Jenner & Block LLP

Judy and John Keller

Ray and Judy McCaskey

Navy Pier

Shelia Penrose and Ernie Mahaffey

Barbara Petersen

Ropes & Gray LLP

Timothy R. Schwertfeger and Gail Waller

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

Carl and Marilynn Thoma

Pam and Doug Walter

Wintrust

Anonymous

 

as of April 18, 2023

 

 

   

 

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