More than 600 guests attended Steppenwolf's Theatre Company's GALA 2010 on Saturday, May 8, 2010 - raising over $1 million for Steppenwolf's artistic and community programming.
GALA 2010 kicked off at Steppenwolf Theatre Company (1650 N. Halsted St.), with a selection from Steppenwolf's current production of Samuel Beckett's Endgame, directed by ensemble member Frank Galati, featuring ensemble members Ian Barford, Francis Guinan, Martha Lavey and William Petersen. Following the performance, guests enjoyed live musical entertainment by Chicago's over-the-top punk marching band Mucca Pazza. They were then shuttled two blocks south to this year's spacious new reception venue, Blackhawk on Halsted (1460 N. Halsted St.) - a 15,000 square-foot space decked out in theatrically-inspired décor by Heffernan & Morgan. The evening continued with a cocktail reception and gourmet dinner prepared by Limelight Catering. The annual live auction featured once-in-a-lifetime adventures with Steppenwolf ensemble members and artists, conducted by Chicago auctioneer Michael Davis of Hart David Hart Wine Co. (see list below). Guests wrapped up the evening with dancing and live entertainment by Steppenwolf Co-Founder Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band and DJ Toast and Jam.
Steppenwolf ensemble members in attendance included: Alana Arenas, Kate Arrington, Ian Barford, Robert Breuler, Gary Cole, K. Todd Freeman, Frank Galati, Francis Guinan, Jon Michael Hill, Ora Jones, Terry Kinney (Co-Founder), Tina Landau, Martha Lavey, Mariann Mayberry, James Vincent Meredith, Laurie Metcalf, Amy Morton, Sally Murphy, Jeff Perry (Co-Founder), William Petersen, Yasen Peyankov, Martha Plimpton, Anna D. Shapiro, Eric Simonson, Gary Sinise (Co-Founder), Lois Smith and Jim True-Frost.
The GALA 2010 Co-Chairs were: Sarah Beardsley, David S. Kalt and Janet Melk.
Other notable guests included: Governor Pat Quinn, Mayor Richard M. Daley and Maggie Daley, State Senator John Cullerton, former White House Social Secretary Desirée Rogers, Chicago City Treasurer Stephanie D. Neely, Chicago Public Schools CEO Ron Huberman, Steppenwolf Board Chair Nora Daley Conroy and Linda Johnson Rice.
Reverb Capital was the Gala 2010 Co-Sponsor; Harris Bank was the Performance Sponsor; Structured Development was the Event Venue Sponsor; Liz and Eric Lefkofsky were the Live Auction Sponsors; Ogilvy was the Marketing Partner; United Airlines was the Official Airline Partner.
This year's live auction prizes included:
- A private on-set visit for four to ABC's hit TV series Modern Family with actor Eric Stonestreet, who plays Cameron. Includes hotel stay and round-trip airfare.
- Dinner for eight at the home of Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning Steppenwolf ensemble member Tracy Letts, prepared by Chef Michael Kornick of Chicago's MK Restaurant. Guests of honor include Tracy Letts and Steppenwolf ensemble member Amy Morton.
- A private on-set visit for four to NBC's hit TV series Parks and Recreation with actor Nick Offerman, who plays Ron Swanson. Includes lunch with Nick Offerman, hotel stay and round-trip airfare.
- A private dinner for ten with Steppenwolf ensemble member John Malkovich at Chicago's Elysian Hotel prepared by Executive Chef Jason McLeod. Includes hotel stay in Elysian suites.
- Tickets for eight to the 6th annual CSI:NY Mid-Season Bash hosted by Steppenwolf co-founder Gary Sinise. Includes a private, pre-concert tour of the set of CBS's hit TV series CSI:NY, hotel stay and round-trip airfare.
- VIP tickets for four to the Broadway premiere of Of Mice and Men directed by Tony Award-winning ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro. Includes exclusive party with Anna D. Shapiro and the cast, hotel and round-trip airfare.
- A private screening of the Oscar-nominated Best Film Avatar and a tour of all the special effects and artistry behind the film with producer Jon Landau Includes hotel stay and round-trip airfare.
Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Steppenwolf Theatre Company's mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships and contributing new works to the national canon. The company, formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, is dedicated to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through on-going group work. Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of 43 artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting and textual adaptation. For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org, www.facebook.com/SteppenwolfTheatre and www.twitter.com/SteppenwolfThtr.
Photo Credits: Joan Hackett & Kyle Flubacker
