American Conservatory Theater Raises $900,000 At Its Fall Celebration

With the help of celebrated guest artists-including Oscar, Tony, and Emmy Award winner Ellen Burstyn, Tony Award winner BD Wong, and Emmy, Tony, and Golden Globe Award winner Judd Hirsch-American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) raised $900,000 at its Fall Celebration welcoming new Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon and new Executive Director Jennifer Bielstein. Proceeds from the event, which took place on Thursday, November 15 at Ken Fulk's brand-new multi-disciplinary arts space Saint Joseph's Arts Society, support A.C.T.'s diverse and far-reaching artistic, artist training, and education and community programs serving 250,000 Bay Area residents each year.

More than 200 guests attended the Fall Celebration, which began with a cocktail reception, followed by short remarks from Burstyn, Wong, and Hirsch, as well as Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Managing Director Susan Medak. Immediately following, guests were treated to an elegant dinner provided by Paula LeDuc Fine Catering. The evening culminated with dessert, dancing, and a special performance by legendary Grammy Award-nominated performer and percussionist Sheila E.

"Our Fall Celebration was energetic, elegant, and so much fun," said event co-chair Robina Riccitiello. "Ken Fulk's hip new arts space was the perfect location to welcome Pam and Jennifer to A.C.T. and to launch our exciting 2018-19 season with energy and style. It was a blast to see our longtime supporters and board members dancing onstage with Sheila E. I think the highlight may have been when Sheila E. handed the microphone to Jennifer and Pam to sing!"

The event committee, led by Ken Fulk, Robina Riccitiello, and Jeff and Laurie Ubben, included Priscilla Geeslin, James C. Hormel and Michael P. Nguyen-Hormel, Jo S. Hurley, Rebecca and Jascha Kaykas-Wolff, Fred M. Levin and Nancy Livingston, David and Carla Riemer, Rusty and Patti Rueff, Abby Schnair, Adriana López Vermut, Kay Yun, and Lieutenant Governor Gavin and Jennifer Siebel Newsom, ex officio.

The Honorary Artistic Committee, led by Uma Thurman and Josh Lucas, included Uzo Aduba, Bob Balaban, Jason Biggs, Blair Brown, Ellen Burstyn, Gabriel Byrne, Kathleen Chalfant, Tracee Chimo, Carrie Coon, Olympia Dukakis, Tim Evans, Teresa Eyring, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Michael Gennaro, Judd Hirsch, Bill Irwin, Tracy Letts, John Lithgow, Craig Lucas, Susie Medak, Ellen McLaughlin, Itamar Moses, Kate Mulgrew, Bruce Norris, Mercedes Ruehl, Roche Schulfer, Maria Striar, David Strathairn, Les Waters, Beau Willimon, and BD Wong.