Free virtual gathering
CeLebrating the power of theatre
Come for the community... stay for the DJ!
Saturday, May 9 at 6:30pm CST
Join us for Pants Optional: A Steppenwolf Soirée. This FREE virtual event will have special appearances by some of our close friends and celebrity guests, including Claire Danes, Armie Hammer, Shonda Rhimes, Chris Rock and Steppenwolf ensemble members Joan Allen, Gary Cole, John Malkovich, Sandra Marquez and Laurie Metcalf. We are celebrating the power of theatre—and raising vital funds to keep it alive.
This event is available for viewing on YouTube Live and Facebook Live. You may also return to this page on Saturday, May 9 at 6:30pm CST to LIVE STREAM the event.
The evening's program will run from 6:30–8pm CST.
Grammy-winning DJ Tracy Young will pump the jams from 8–9pm CST.
Open captioning will be provided during the virtual event.
Make a donation
Text "pants" to 243725 to give today!
You can help us bring I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter, Steppenwolf for Young Adults' hit world premiere based on the award-winning novel, back to our stage to reach thousands of Chicagoland students who missed out due to the pandemic. Support the remounting of this incredible production by making a donation today!
In lieu of purchasing tickets, we hope you will consider making a fully tax-deductible gift to ensure that we return from this brief intermission to full houses and thrilling, world-class performances. Thank you for supporting Steppenwolf and the robust Chicago arts community. In spite of being isolated, we are in this together.
To give by phone, please call 312-335-1650. To give by mail, please sign a check made payable to Steppenwolf Theatre Company and send it to Steppenwolf Special Events, 1650 N. Halsted St., Chicago, IL 60614.
Photos
Meet the Emcee
ENSEMBLE MEMBER AUDREY FRANCIS
Audrey Francis joined the Steppenwolf ensemble in 2017. Her Steppenwolf credits include Dance Nation and The Doppelgänger (an international farce); her film and television credits include Knives and Skin, Empire and Chicago Fire; and her directing credits include Plano with First Floor Theater as part of Steppenwolf's 1700 Lookout Series. Audrey is also the proud cofounder of Black Box Acting and co-host of Half Hour, a Steppenwolf produced podcast.
Meet the DJ
DJ TRACY YOUNG
Tracy Young started her music career at a time when being a female DJ was almost unheard of. Tracy quickly rose through the ranks, eventually getting hired to work with Madonna at her movie premieres and album releases. She won a 2020 Grammy for her remix of Madonna's single "I Rise." As a composer, DJ, producer and remixer, Tracy Young has become a global electronic music celebrity.
CO-CHAIRS
Ensemble member Joan Allen
Trustee Susan O. Berghoef
Ensemble member Gary Cole
Ensemble member Sandra Marquez
Trustee Anne Phillips and Don Phillips
LEAD SUPPORT
Anne and Don Phillips
INNOVATORS
Allstate
The Bluhm Family Charitable Foundation
Exelon
Grosvenor Capital Management
Liz and Eric Lefkofsky
The Orlebeke Foundation
The Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation
VISIONARIES
Douglas R. Brown and Rachel Kraft
CRC Group
The Crown Family
DLA Piper LLP (US)
Cameron and Amy Findlay
Green Courte Partners, LLC
ITW
McKinsey and Company, Inc.
Chris and Eileen Murphy
Norcon, Inc.
Bruce Sagan and Bette Cerf Hill
Deborah and Stephen Quazzo
Matthew Shapiro
Sterling Bay
Steppenwolf Associates
John and Carol Walter Family Foundation
United Airlines
A/V Partner
Marketing Partner
Help us reach our goal
Donate Now
We need your support now more than ever. As our stages sit dark, we are reminded of how vital art is to our very well-being. By supporting us now, you help ensure that world-class theatre continues to thrive in our great city.
Learn More
Do you have any questions about the special online event Pants Optional: A Steppenwolf Soirée? Feel free to contact our Events team for more information.
Help us reach our goal
Donate Now
We need your support now more than ever. As our stages sit dark, we are reminded of how vital art is to our very well-being. By supporting us now, you help ensure that world-class theatre continues to thrive in our great city.
Learn More
Do you have any questions about the special online event Pants Optional: A Steppenwolf Soirée? Feel free to contact our Events team for more information.