GOODMAN THEATRE HOSTS JUNE 21 “SCENE SOIREE” AT NATIONAL HELLENIC MUSEUM, THE THIRD ANNUAL MAJOR FUNDRAISER OF THE SCENEMAKERS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD

GOODMAN THEATRE HOSTS JUNE 21 “SCENE SOIREE” AT NATIONAL HELLENIC MUSEUM, THE THIRD ANNUAL MAJOR FUNDRAISER OF THE SCENEMAKERS YOUNG PROFESSIONALS BOARD 1  Goodman Theatre’s Scenemakers Board hosts its third annual Scene Soiree—the group’s signature fundraising event—on Saturday, June 21 from 7 - 11pm at National Hellenic Museum (333 South Halsted). Inspired by the Goodman’s “Dream” Season, the event features a performance by The Nexus Project, dreamscape installations in collaboration with the Actor’s Gymnasium and Walkabout Theatre, music from DJ White Russian, cocktails from Celeste, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction and raffle, including an all-inclusive trip to Las Vegas, exclusive Goodman experiences and more. Summer cocktail attire is recommended. After the Soiree, Celeste hosts a special after party for attendees. Last year’s Scene Soiree drew more than 300 of Chicago’s foremost young professionals and raised more than $45,000—tripling the funds raised from the previous year—towards Goodman Theatre’s free six-week summer program, General Theatre Studies for Chicago youth (proceeds from this year’s event will also support this program). To purchase tickets ($85) and to see photos and video from last year’s event, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/SceneSoiree. Baird, Clifford Law Offices, Katz & Stefani and Social Media Makers are the Premiere Sponsors. Huber Financial, Pedersen & Houpt and PwC are the Principal Event Sponsors. Paramount Events is the Catering Partner, Fortune Fish & Gourment is the Dessert Partner and Lakeshore Beverage and The Seeker Wines are the Beverage Partners.

1213SceneSoiree_01 Goodman Theatre’s Scenemakers Board hosts its third annual Scene Soiree—the group’s signature fundraising event—on Saturday, June 21 from 7 – 11pm at National Hellenic Museum (333 South Halsted). Inspired by the Goodman’s “Dream” Season, the event features a performance by The Nexus Project, dreamscape installations in collaboration with the Actor’s Gymnasium and Walkabout Theatre, music from DJ White Russian, cocktails from Celeste, hors d’oeuvres and a silent auction and raffle, including an all-inclusive trip to Las Vegas, exclusive Goodman experiences and more. Summer cocktail attire is recommended. After the Soiree, Celeste hosts a special after party for attendees. Last year’s Scene Soiree drew more than 300 of Chicago’s foremost young professionals and raised more than $45,000—tripling the funds raised from the previous year—towards Goodman Theatre’s free six-week summer program, General Theatre Studies for Chicago youth (proceeds from this year’s event will also support this program). To purchase tickets ($85) and to see photos and video from last year’s event, visit GoodmanTheatre.org/SceneSoiree. Baird, Clifford Law Offices, Katz & Stefani and Social Media Makers are the Premiere Sponsors. Huber Financial, Pedersen & Houpt and PwC are the Principal Event Sponsors. Paramount Events is the Catering Partner, Fortune Fish & Gourment is the Dessert Partner and Lakeshore Beverage and The Seeker Wines are the Beverage Partners.

“The Scenemakers aim to make our third annual Scene Soiree the place to be on this summer’s Chicago social scene,” said Gordon C.C. Liao, Scenemakers Vice President and co-founder of the Scene Soiree. “What’s most important about this event is that it provides Chicago’s underserved youth an opportunity to find their voice via the craft of theater.” Nearly 80 Chicago young people participate in General Theatre Studies (GTS), Goodman Theatre’s free six-week summer program running June 30 – August 11, 2014. Participants aged 14 – 19 learn all elements of theater production as well as critical thinking, literacy and storytelling skills from local theater professionals.

Now in its 11th year of service, Goodman Theatre’s Scenemakers Board includes 34 members who contributed more than $70,000 to the Goodman last year. A young professionals auxiliary board of Goodman Theatre, the Scenemakers, under the leadership of President Lauren Blair—supports the theater’s mission through fundraising, audience development and advocacy—with a particular focus on the Goodman’s New Work initiative and education and community engagement. Other events hosted by the Scenemakers in the 2013/2014 Season included “A Christmas Carol (Technically Speaking),” which gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at a technical rehearsal, and “Buzzer and Brews,” which paired local craft beer with a performance and meet-and-greet with the cast of Buzzer. Learn more at GoodmanTheatre.org/Scenemakers.

About Goodman Theatre

Goodman Theatre is world renowned for the quality and scope of its artistic programming and its commitment to improving life in the community. Artistic Director Robert Falls’ and Executive Director Roche Schulfer’s leadership has earned unparalleled artistic distinction and experienced unprecedented success, staging more than 80 world premieres, earning numerous awards for its productions—including the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre (1992) and the Pulitzer Prize for Ruined (2009)—and producing more than 25 new-work commissions. Founded in 1925 and housed in a state-of-the-art two-theater complex in the downtown Chicago Theatre District, the Goodman is Chicago’s oldest and largest not-for-profit producing theater, named “Best Regional Theatre” by Time magazine and “top dog of the Chicago theater scene” by Frommer’s. American Airlines is the Exclusive Airline of Goodman Theatre. Ruth Ann M. Gillis is Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Sherry John is President of the Women’s Board and Lauren Blair is President of the Scenemakers Board, the Goodman’s young professionals auxiliary group.

Visit the Goodman virtually: watch artist interviews, view production photos, catch the latest news and more at GoodmanTheatre.org and our blog. Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, peek behind the scenes on YouTube.