Steppenwolf's Annual Gala

May 8, 2027
Save the Date for our 2027 Gala!

Thank you for joining us at Steppenwolf's 2026 Gala - we are so grateful you joined us as we raised a glass to the trailblazers and risk-takers that gave Steppenwolf its innovative spirit and turned the page to the next 50 years of bold and courageous theatre.

Together we raised over two million dollars!

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 and beyond.

Save the date for next year's Gala on Saturday, May 8, 2027.

Co-Chairs

  • Aimee Graham and Nigel Caine

  • Christopher Keogh

  • Verett Mims

Honorees

Douglas R. Brown and Rachel E. Kraft

 

 

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Questions about the 2026 Gala? Contact our events team for more information.

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GALA 2026 PHOTO GALLERY

Steppenwolf Ensemble members Alana Arenas, Robert Breuler, Jim True-Frost, Tim Hopper, Celeste M. Cooper, Eric Simonson, Audrey Francis, Gary Cole, Jeff Perry, Caroline Neff, Namir Smallwood, Sandra Marquez, Jon Michael Hill, Glenn Davis and Amy Morton. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

Guests were welcomed by Artistic Director Audrey Francis, Gala Co-Chairs Nigel Caine & Aimee Graham, Verett Mims and Christopher Keogh, Executive Director E. Brooke Flanagan and Artistic Director Glenn Davis. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

Gala 2026 was designed by Jeffrey Foster for Frost Chicago with photos by Sandro Miller. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

Gala Co-Chair Aimee Graham, ensemble member/co-founder Jeff Perry, Gala Co-Chair Nigel Caine and Cian & Kate O'Riordan. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

Cindy Moelis, Trustee Bob Rivkin, Board Chair Keating Crown and Artistic Director Glenn Davis. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

Trustee Dr. Stephanie B. Smith, Gerald Smith, ensemble member Celeste M. Cooper and Genora Hopkins. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

(Center) Gala 2026 honorees Douglas R. Brown & Rachel E. Kraft with (left to right) Sielle Hodzic, Meredith Brown, Manny Hodzic, Lois Miller, Adam Kraft and Brittany Brown. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

Ensemble member Gary Cole, Tom Levin, Trustee Emeritus Robert J. Greenebaum, Jr. and Courtney Levin. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

Trustee Bryan Traubert, Artistic Director Audrey Francis and Trustee Emeritus Eric Lefkofsky. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

Ensemble member Caroline Neff, photographer Sandro Miller and ensemble member Celeste M. Cooper cheer on guests during the live auction. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

Young Adult Council member Nadia Arellano and ensemble member Amy Morton perform and excerpt from August: Osage County. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.

Windfall cast member Esco Jouléy and DJ Rae Chardonnay kept the dance floor packed until late in the night. Photo by Kyle Flubacker.