FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026
5:30 PM | Chicago Shakespeare Theater
AN UNFORGETTABLE EVENING OF CELEBRATION
Cocktails & Hors D’Oeuvres | Elegant Seated Dinner | Spirit of Shakespeare Awards | Live Auction | After-Party & Dancing
SPIRIT OF SHAKESPEARE AWARDS
The Spirit of Shakespeare Awards honor those who champion the legacy of Shakespeare’s indalible spirit: extraordinary, audacious, and deeply human. Since 2011, the Awards have annually recognized artistic visionaries and changemakers in our community.
Artistic Honoree
Kevin Gudahl
Civic Honorees
C. Gary Gerst
William R. Jentes
Ray McCaskey
Pam Walter
For 40 years, Chicago Shakespeare Theater has brought stories to life in Chicago and beyond: illuminating imaginations, welcoming new audiences, and inspiring generations of artists and students across our city.
This season, we celebrate a momentous milestone: our Ruby Anniversary.
Join us as we Revel in Ruby, an evening honoring four decades of powerful theater making and propelling CST into its bold future.
ATTIRE: Festive Cocktail or Ruby Red
Kindly respond by May 28, 2026
Co-Chairs: Steve Brodsky and Carole Segal
Committee:
Brayton Alley
Jillisa Brittan
Kate Blomgren
Liz Brodsky
Aaron Hoffman
Judith Loseff
Richard W. Porter
Lance Richards
Steve Solomon
Jamie Stone O’Brien
Donna Welch
Gala 2026 fuels the artistry, education, and community engagement that define Chicago Shakespeare Theater and propels our work forward into the future.
RUBY
Brodsky Family Foundation
Virginia and Gary Gerst
Burton X. and Sheli Z. Rosenberg
Segal Family Foundation
EMERALD
Brayton and Pim Alley
Jillisa Brittan, Jeffrey Smith,
and the Brittan Family Trust
Judy and John Keller
Sheila Penrose
Pam and Doug Walter
The Welch Family
SAPPHIRE
Dheera Anand
Paul Dykstra and Spark Cremin
John Edelman and Suzanne Krohn
Aaron and Julie Hoffman
Chris and Erin O’Brien
Richard W. Porter and Lydia S. Marti
Neal and Jennifer Reenan
Harvey and Mary Struthers
Carl and Marilynn Thoma
Ray and Donna Whitacre
OPAL
Carey and Brett August
Joyce Chelberg
Larry Levy
Nazneen and Sal Razi
Stephan and Laurette Petersen
Lance Richards
Steve and Robin Solomon
For questions, please contact [email protected]
Please consider making a donation if you are unable to attend.