Tune in for a night of performance broadcast from the Theater’s rooftop as we mark Shakespeare’s birthday—celebrating the power of the arts to inspire, heal, and unite us. An immortal line from a poet 400 years ago beckons us still today: "To be, or not to be." Ours is a city that has suffered greatly, but whose spirit is unshakeable. Through song, poetry, dance, and spoken word, this virtual celebration urges us all...to be. To be bold. To be daring. To be a force for positive change.
/ / / / A virtual event to support Chicago Shakespeare’s nationally acclaimed arts in literacy and community engagement programs / / / /
Friday, April 23, 7:00pm - 7:45pm (CDT)
https://www.chicagoshakes.com/tobe
Chicago Shakespeare Theater, cst@chicagoshakes.com
A CONVERSATION WITH COMMON
The globally renowned rapper, actor, and Chicago community advocate joins Artistic Director Barbara Gaines and Event Co-Chair Binta Niambi Brown for a lively city-side chat.
MUSICAL PERFORMANCES FROM CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER’S ROOFTOP
featuring
Susan Moniz and Joriah Kwamé
with
Jovan Landry, Ariana Burks, Lucy Godínez, Alexa Xioufaridou Moster, Juwon Tyrel Perry, Brandon Pisano, Sawyer Smith, plus Briana Arthur and Taylor Ramos of Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, and Kimi Hayes, Charles Heath, Dan Peters, Charlotte Rivard-Hoster, Chuck Webb, and Tahirah Whittington
SPECIAL MUSICAL PERFORMANCE
Singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson performs “Words” from the new musical adaptation of The Notebook, making its upcoming debut at Chicago Shakespeare.
ADDITIONAL APPEARANCES BY
Jose "iasEL" Gonzalez, Izaiah Harris, and Move Me Soul Dance Company
Sponsorships of TO BE 4/23 fuel the Theater’s nationally acclaimed arts in literacy and community engagement programs. Each year, these initiatives connect Chicago Shakespeare with over 600 neighborhood partners across the far North, West, and South Sides of the city, and support the work of teachers, bringing Shakespeare to life for tens of thousands of students.
TO BE 4/23 LEAD CONSORTIUM
- Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Foundation
- The Segal Family Foundation
- Donna Van Eekeren
- Zell Family Foundation
TO BE 4/23 HOST COMMITTEE
- Allstate Jess and Amanda Merten
- Bartlit Beck LLP
- Julie and Roger Baskes
- BMO Harris Bank
- Bulley & Andrews
- The Crown Family
- Exelon
- ITW
- Kirkland & Ellis LLP Kevin and Joan Evanich, Linda and Dennis Myers, Richard Porter and Lydia Marti
- KPMG Bill and Charlene Tomazin
- MDP The Dombalagian Family, Jim and Molly Perry, Matt and Sarah Rainn
- Ray and Judy McCaskey
- Northern Trust
- Burton X. and Sheli Z. Rosenberg
- Skadden Brian and Yasmina Duwe
- Carl and Marilyn Thoma
- Wintrust
- Anonymous
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
800 E. Grand Ave. on Navy Pier
Chicago, IL 60611
United States