Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council’s Red or White Ball Set for 4/13

Hundreds of Chicago's young arts supporters gather for a high-energy evening of music, dancing, cocktails, impressive local cuisine and a silent auction at Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council's Red or White Ball on Friday, April 13, 2012 at 8pm (7:30pm VIP Reception).

The signature event for the city's most active young professionals moves to a new venue this year-Chicago's vintage-chic Architectural Artifacts (4325 N Ravenswood Ave). Proceeds from the Red or White Ball benefit Steppenwolf for Young Adults, the theater's nationally recognized arts education program, which annually impacts over 15,000 students, teachers and families. Tickets to the Red or White Ball are on sale now, and can be purchased online atsteppenwolf.org/rowb, via e-mail at auxiliarycouncil@steppenwolf.org or by calling 312-654-5681. Individual tickets are $135 or $150 at the door (if available). A limited number of $250 VIP tickets are also available and include an exclusive cocktail reception at 7:30pm, delectable tasting stations, VIP gift bags, special access to Steppenwolf artists and other perks. VIP Reception attendees enjoy tasting stations from Paris Club, Zed 451, Chef Jean Tippenhauer of FREDS Restaurant, Chef Moosah Reaume of The Pump Room, and a cocktail station from the Master Mixologists of Barrelhouse Flat. 

The 2012 Red or White Ball Honorary Chair is ensemble member and star of Law & Order: Criminial Intent, Kathryn Erbe. Actors Lily Mojekwu (fml: how Carson McCullers saved my life) and Robert Schleifer (The Heart is a Lonely Hunter) are Honorary Co-Chairs. The 2012 event planning committee includes Kim Davis is Chair and Dina Searle and Bryce Cooper are Co-Chairs.  

Highlights from the auction at the 2012 Ball include a private party on a rooftop garden; a one-night stay and a round of golf for two at the Grand Geneva Resort; tickets to a Broadway show and a taping of Live with Kelly in New York City, including round-trip airfare and hotel accommodations; and dinner for two at NoMI Kitchen in the Park Hyatt Chicago. Raffle prizes include a custom-made suit by Tom James Company; a Steppenwolf Theatre Company Premium Package, including tickets to the opening night of a production, the pre-show dinner, after party and a signed poster; and a Google Cr-48 notebook computer.

Digitas is the Auxiliary Council Lead Partner, GoodSmith Gregg & Unruh LLP is a Red or White Ball Sponsor and Theory Chicago is an Auxiliary Council Membership Event Partner. 

Last year's Red or White Ball attracted more than 600 guests and raised more than $105,000, providing access to the theater for a broad base of Chicago's youth, ages 12 – 19, and schools throughout the Chicago metropolitan area with a strong focus on partnering with Chicago Public Schools. Steppenwolf for Young Adults' (SYA) unique approach combines play production with educational components to enhance arts education for young audiences, as well as their teachers and families. SYA creates two full-scale professional productions each season specifically for teens. Working closely with the Chicago Public and metropolitan area schools and other community partners, SYA annually ensures access to the theater for more than 15,000 participants from Chicago's diverse communities. The initiative also includes post-show discussions with artists; classroom residencies led by Steppenwolf-trained teaching artists in more than 30 classrooms in 14 public high schools; professional development workshops for educators; and the Young Adult Council, an innovative year-round after-school initiative that uniquely engages high school students in all areas of the theater's operations.  

The Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council is a dynamic group of young professionals dedicated to civic leadership. The Council is made up of more than 100 energetic leaders with a shared mission to support Steppenwolf's arts education program for high school students. Since its inception in 2000, the Auxiliary Council has raised nearly $1 million in contributions.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Chicago, IL (Martha Lavey, Artistic Director; David Hawkanson, Executive Director) is one of the nation's leading ensemble theaters, producing up to 16 productions each year in its three Chicago theater spaces-including programming dedicated to the development of new plays and theater for young adults. Steppenwolf's productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney and Dublin. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 43 actors, writers and directors. For additional information, visitsteppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.