Theatre School at DePaul University Announces 24th Annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts Honorees

Among those honored at the 24th Annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts were actor and comedian Nathan Lane, Steppenwolf Ensemble Member and alumna Alana Arenas, and alumnus, actor, director, and producer Ted Wass.

Christopher G. Kennedy received the Leadership Award for Excellence in the Arts, and gave a moving speech about the importance of the arts and culture in the economy of successful and thriving cities. Goodman School of Drama alumnus and actor Scott Ellis served as the MC of the evening. As a long-time donor to The Theatre School, he encouraged support of the student artists training at the school.

Members of the Chicago theatre community PJ Powers (TimeLine Theatre Company), Steve Traxler (JAM Theatricals), and Chris Jones (Chicago Tribune Theatre Critic) showed their support, among other industry professionals. Also in attendance were Trisha Rooney Alden (President, R4 Services), Fay Hartog-Levin (local civic leader and former ambassador to the Netherlands), James M. Jenness (President, DePaul Board of Trustees), and Gordon and Carole Segal (Crate & Barrel, former recipients of the Leadership Award for Excellence in the Arts). Numerous other VIP guests were in attendance and, in total, there were over 425 people joining the evening's festivities.

The celebration also featured a raffle and live and silent auctions. Graduate students from DePaul's School of Music provided live music throughout the evening. Many premiere theatres, dance companies, musical halls, hotels, restaurants, and shops donated items to be used as prizes for the silent auction and raffle. More than $100,000 was raised through this community support. The hottest-selling item of the night was the "Fund the Dream" Scholarship, which provides support to students in their final year of conservatory training.

By the end of the night, the 2012 Awards for Excellence in the Arts yielded a celebrated gross profit of approximately $376,000 for The Theatre School Scholarship Fund.

The Theatre School Board Co-chairs for the event were Joseph Antunovich, President, Antunovich Associates; Sondra A. Healy, Chairman, Turtle Wax, Inc.; and Monsignor Kenneth Velo, Senior Executive for Catholic Collaboration, DePaul University. Major supporters of the event included American Airlines, Antunovich Associates, Exelon, Geico, Magellan Corporation, PNC Bank, R4 Services, Staples, Turtle Wax, Inc. and W.E. O'Neil.