A Red Orchid Theatre Raises More Than $100K in 22nd Anniversary Gala
A Red Orchid Theatre celebrated 22 years of ensemble-based theater in Chicago at its annual gala on Saturday, November 8. The 2014 Gala was co-hosted by A Red Orchid Co-founder and Academy Award nominee Michael Shannon and Chicago personality and Rockit Ranch Productions CEO Billy Dec and raised more than $100,000 to support AROT’s mission and work. The event began with a VIP cocktail reception and gourmet dinner at Sunda New Asian restaurant and featured live performances from a variety of the company’s productions, performed by members of the AROT Ensemble, as well as a live and silent auction.
The evening continued with an after party and live auction at The Underground, where guests enjoyed specialty cocktails, delicious late-night bites from Rockit Bar & Grill and had the chance to bid on the custom suit Shannon wore as his character Nelson Van Alden on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire. Some of the evening’s other top auction items included a week-long stay at a Hyatt Residence Club Resort, Bears tickets, a San Francisco getaway and a custom made AROT bicycle. Shannon’s Man of Steel co-star Henry Cavill surprised guests by stopping by The Underground to celebrate AROT’s 22nd anniversary.
Known for its highly-acclaimed experimental and cutting edge productions, A Red Orchid Theatre has served as an artistic focal point in the heart of the Old Town community of Chicago since 1993. Over the past 22 years, its Resident Ensemble has welcomed into its fold an impressive array of award winning actors, playwrights and theater artists. In addition to its professional season, the company also maintains an exciting youth programming wing.
