SATURDAY, MAY 10 | 6:00pm
Steppenwolf Theatre
Steppenwolf’s Ensemble and Board of Trustees invite you to our 2025 Gala – an unforgettable night kicking off the theater’s 50th anniversary celebration! Join Steppenwolf’s famed artists alongside civic and business leaders at our stunning expanded campus for cocktails, dancing and a one-night-only performance honoring the theatre’s legacy. Keep the celebration going with a live auction that features once-in-a-lifetime experiences with our artists and an after-hours lounge.
Steppenwolf’s Gala generates vital funding to provide an artistic home for our Ensemble, bring bold and innovative theatrical experiences to the stage, and create educational programs that reach thousands of teens throughout the Chicago region.
Attire is formidably fabulous. Vibes are electric.
Gala 2025 Photo Gallery
GALA 2025- PHOTO GALLERY
(pictured) Interactive entertainers furnished by Stage Factor join guests on the dance floor.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker.
(left to right) The evening was hosted by Artistic Directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis, Executive Director E. Brooke Flanagan, Gala Co-Chairs Chanel W. Coney and Caroline and Keating Crown.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(front) Steppenwolf Artistic Director Glenn Davis leads ensemble members in a 50th Anniversary toast.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(left to right) Trustee Robert S. Rivkin, Patrick Powers, Artistic Director Glenn Davis, Lina Dang, Jim and April Conneely and Vania Wit.
credit: Photo by Elías Carmona-Rivera
(left to right) Trustee Eric Lefkofsky, Neal Zucker, Trustees Liz Lefkofsky and Cari Sacks and Marko Iglendza.
credit: Photo by Elías Carmona-Rivera
(left to right) Gautam and Ritu Dhingra.
credit: Photo by Elías Carmona-Rivera
(center) International drag superstar Shea Couleé entertains guests.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(left to right) Chelsea Smith, Trustee Stephanie B. Smith and Gerald Smith, John Taylor, Lisa Bury, Melissa and Justen Knight.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(left to right) Trustee Ronald J. Mallicoat, Jr., ensemble member Namir Smallwood and Maiysha Kai, Trustee Beth Boosalis Davis and ensemble members Rajiv Joseph and Jim True-Frost.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker.
(pictured) Steppenwolf’s 2025 Gala was designed by Jeffrey Foster for Frost Chicago.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(left to night) The evening was hosted by Gala Co-Chairs Keating Crown and Chanel W. Coney with Artistic Directors Audrey Francis and Glenn Davis.
credit:
(pictured) Ensemble member Ora Jones narrates a multi-media program celebrating Steppenwolf Theatre’s five decades of bold, ensemble-driven work.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(left to right) Steppenwolf ensemble members Lois Smith and Jim True-Frost.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker.
(pictured) Steppenwolf Co-Founder Jeff Perry pays tribute to Steppenwolf’s five decades of bold, ensemble-driven work.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(front, l to r) Nigel Caine and Paul Jeffries with (back, l to r) Kevin Goldstein, Trustee Bryce Cooper and Taylor Atkins, Seth Harrop, Kevin and Ben Hester and Trustee Aimee Graham.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
Steppenwolf ensemble members
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(left to right) Former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Trustee Amy Eshleman, Trustee Robert S. Rivkin and Steppenwolf Artistic Director Audrey Francis.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(left to right) Kevin Boehm, Cortney Hall, Les Coney and Afua Owusu.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker.
(pictured) The Steppenwolf Theatre Ensemble.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(center) Ensemble member Kate Arrington leads guests in the annual paddle raise.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(front) International drag superstar Shea Couleé entertains guests.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(left to right) Ana Cristina Wagener-Sobrero, Co-Chair Chanel W. Coney, Javon Coney, Dawn Coney and Temitope Orenuga.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
(pictured) DJ Rae Chardonnay kept the dance floor packed until late in the night.
credit: Photo by Kyle Flubacker
Co-Chairs
Chanel W. Coney
Caroline and Keating Crown
Sponsors
Partners
A/V PARTNER
OFFICIAL AND EXCLUSIVE AIRLINE
LEARN MORE
Questions about the 2025 Gala? Contact our events team for more information.
LEARN MORE
Questions about the 2025 Gala? Contact our events team for more information.