THE PARTY An exclusive crowd of 130 gathered at the Ivy Room at Tree Studios to support Victory Gardens Theater’s renowned education department, new works programs, community impact work and the ACCESS project. Making A Scene: Gala 2021 honored award-winning stage and screen actress S. Epatha Merkerson and the original Victory Gardens Playwrights Ensemble, raising more than $215,000. THE PEOPLE The gala was chaired by author and incoming dean of Northwestern E. Patrick Johnson with the help of committee members Laura Matalon (chief marketing officer, Hamilton: An American Musical), Kate Tillotson (CEO, Bear Necessities Pediatric Cancer Foundation) and Sue E. Wallace (vice president and chief of staff, Exelon). THE PINNACLE The festive affair included a cocktail reception followed by gala performances, live and silent auctions, a paddle raise and a sit-down dinner. Highlights of the night included an exclusive performance by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson from their new musical, Mexodus.
Sue E. Wallace, Laura Matalon, Roxanna Connor and Kate Tillotson
Ken-Matt Martin, Nygel D. Robinson and Brian Quijada
Victory Gardens Board of Directors President Charles E. Harris II with acting managing director Roxanna Connor
Musical artist Donica Lynn hit all the right notes.
Ken-Matt Martin with Playwrights Ensemble founding members Gloria Bond Clunie, Jeffrey Sweet, Douglas Post and James Sherman