Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s ensemble was joined by over 450 guests for the esteemed troupe’s 2022 Gala at Rockwell on the River, celebrating its 46th season and the opening of its new 50,000-square-foot Lefkofsky Arts and Education Center with a cocktail reception, three- course dinner and live auction. Guests enjoyed an immersive display of video clips and photography projected on the walls as they dined on delicacies such as beef short rib, wine-glazed asparagus and a sculptural blueberry, lemon and almond dessert.
The event was hosted by new artistic directors Glenn Davis and Audrey Francis. Executive director E. Brooke Flanagan, Chicago’s first lady Amy Eshleman, Arts Alliance Illinois executive director Claire Rice and Steppenwolf co-founder Jeff Perry were also in attendance, as well as members of the ensemble and the board of trustees.
The elegant evening was topped off with a DJ set by DJ Rae Chardonnay and delicious late-night snacks such as chicken and waffles. In the end, the auction raised nearly $2 million for the theater’s educational efforts and artistic programming.
Cari Sacks, Amy Eshleman, Michael Sacks and Dia Weil
The gala was designed by Jeffrey Foster for Frost Chicago.
Audrey Francis
Susan O. Berghoef and Brenda Robinson
Celeste M. Cooper
Carole Brown bid on an auction item.
Eric Lefkofsky
Photography by: PHOTOS BY KYLE FLUBACKER
