Steppenwolf's 40th Anniversary Gala Slated Tonight; Gary Sinise & Lt. Dan Band to Perform

Steppenwolf Theatre Company's world-renowned ensemble will join more than 600 members of Chicago's corporate, civic and cultural communities to celebrate 40 years of groundbreaking theater at Gala 2016 tonight, May 14, 2016 at Steppenwolf, 1650 N Halsted St.

New this year, members of Steppenwolf's ensemble -- Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro and her husband, ensemble member Ian Barford, as well as ensemble member Tracy Letts and his wife, actress Carrie Coon -- will co-chair the event alongside Board Chair Nora Daley and Sean Conroy, Caroline and Keating Crown and Liz and Eric Lefkofsky, bringing an exciting mix of artistic and board collaboration to the event.

The evening will showcase a special tribute to the ensemble of 44 remarkable actors, directors and writers whose talents and tenacity have made Steppenwolf the creative powerhouse it is today.

"We owe our stamina and success to the talented individuals in our ensemble who together form an incomparable force. With this gala marking our 40th anniversary, it felt right to have members of our ensemble join in the creation of this milestone event, which is a true celebration of who they are," shares Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro. "It's a big year for us, and I can't wait to collaborate with my fellow co-chairs on what will be an epic Steppenwolf party."

Guests will enjoy the unique opportunity to mingle with ensemble members, a festive cocktail reception, a gourmet seated dinner and live and silent auction. Steppenwolf co-founder Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band will have the dance floor packed until late in the evening.

Gala 2016 is hosted by Steppenwolf's Board of Trustees and the celebrated ensemble of artists. Steppenwolf's 2016 Gala benefit raises approximately $1 million in crucial support for the theater's adventurous, thought-provoking work and vital arts outreach in Chicago schools and neighborhoods.

Single tickets starting at $1,000 and tables for Gala 2016 are currently available by contacting Steppenwolf's Special Events Department at 312-654-5632 or specialevents@steppenwolf.org.

IF YOU GO:

Steppenwolf's Gala 2016
Date: Saturday, May 14, 2016 at 6:00pm
Performance: Special tribute to the Steppenwolf ensemble, plus live performance by co-founder Gary Sinise and his Lt. Dan Band
Highlights: A cocktail reception, dinner, live auction with members of the Steppenwolf ensemble
Tickets: To purchase tickets, contact Steppenwolf's Special Events Department at 312-654-5632 or specialevents@steppenwolf.org.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is America's longest standing, most distinguished ensemble theater, producing nearly 700 performances and events annually in its three Chicago theater spaces-the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat Garage Theatre. Formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, Steppenwolf has grown into an ensemble of 44 actors, writers and directors. Artistic programming at Steppenwolf includes a five-play Subscription Season, a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season, First Look, a new play development series and Visiting Company engagements. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Off-Broadway, Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Steppenwolf has the distinction of being the only theater to receive the National Medal of Arts, in addition to numerous other prestigious honors including an Illinois Arts Legend Award and 12 Tony Awards. Anna D. Shapiro is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Managing Director. Nora Daley is Chair of Steppenwolf's Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org, facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre and twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr.

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