Steppenwolf Theatre Gala rocks and rolls on the river

On May 9, Steppenwolf Theatre Company rolled out its annual fundraiser at Rockwell on the River in the Avondale neighborhood. The location provided outdoor patio views of the west bank of the Chicago River on three acres of land. It was just the right size to host the gala and while complimentary valet service was provided, there was free parking nearby that Saturday night at 3057 North Rockwell Street.

The powerful theater organization has held previous soirées at venues around the city, such as the Bridgeport Art Center in 2024, and often on their property at 1650 North Halsted Street.

This year, the organizers made some changes to accompany the gala and some of the experimentation paid off by raking in a record-breaking two million twenty-nine thousand dollars before the night was over.

Guests arrived at the modern venue beginning at 6:30 p.m. to partake in appetizers and beverages.

The suggested dress code on the invitation was described as “luxe fashion-forward cocktail attire” and “sneakers welcome.” Many of the guests matched it to their outfits for a look and reflective shoes proved to be popular.

The casual shoe option came in handy as the venue could have supplied more chairs at times throughout the event. At 7:30 p.m., the masses moved into an assigned seated assembly for welcome remarks from various committee and ensemble members of Steppenwolf.

This year, auctioneer Robbie Gordy flipped the script and began in reverse with high monetary levels for paddle raisers.

The live auction prizes went for big dollar amounts thanks to star power accompanied by private dinners. Photographer Sandro Miller hyped up the crowd by offering portraits, which led to a bidding war. The excitement drummed up an appetite for the multitude and they rose to partake in what the chef had to offer.

The fundraiser did not come with a traditional sit-down dinner, but instead equipped action stations throughout the space. The buffets were stocked with a wide range of cuisine from other countries, including seafood.

Eating was sometimes awkward without enough high-top tables for the number of people in the room. This didn't matter to some as they danced the night away to the tunes of DJ Rae Chardonnay.

Late-night snacks and desserts with coffee left attendees satisfied by the end of the party.

Save the date for next year's gala on May 8, 2027, and find information for current and upcoming productions at steppenwolf.org