On Saturday, April 26, TimeLine Theatre celebrated its unique mission by inviting guests to step back across time at the company’s annual gala benefit, Step Into Time: A Century of Women, at The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago. More than 230 people attended the event, which raised over $320,000 in net proceeds to support the theatre’s mission and programming.
Pictured, from left: TimeLine Executive Director Mica Cole; TimeLine Board Members Constance L. Williams and Maridee Quanbeck with TimeLine Board Vice President Anne Voshel and TimeLine Director of Development Miguel Fernández. All photos by Kennedy Cottrell Photography.
“WELL-BEHAVED WOMEN SELDOM MAKE HISTORY.” So goes the famous saying, the inspiration for TimeLine’s celebration of the influential, radical, and game-changing women who have shaped our world. From the Suffragettes to Women’s Liberation, from the Civil Rights Movement to #BlackGirlMagic, both household names and everyday sheroes have taken actions that moved culture forward. Guests at this special event reveled in uplifting their stories and toasting their lasting impact at a rousing, unruly evening befitting all of history’s “misbehaving” women!
(from left) Chicago artist Felicia P. Fields with TimeLine Founding Company Member Juliet Hart and supporter Doris Davenport; TimeLine Director of New Home Development Elizabeth K. Auman with HGA’s (TimeLine’s new home architect) Mari Ansera and Tim Carl.
TimeLine Founding Company Member and Director of the Living History Program Juliet Hart served as emcee for a program that featured members of the Living History Teaching Artist team reflecting on their work with high school students in Chicago Public Schools; remarks by Executive Director Mica Cole, Artistic Director PJ Powers, and other organizational leaders; and Company Member Behzad Dabu rallying the crowd for a generous Paddle Raiser. Then supporters danced the night away to entertainment created exclusively for the event, directed by TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling and music directed by Jo Ann Daugherty, which celebrated songs from the “Queens of Music”!
One of the highlights of the evening was an update on TimeLine’s new home project—including images showing recent construction progress on the structure at 5035 N. Broadway in Chicago’s Uptown neighborhood, anticipated to open in Spring 2026. The 75-second video was edited by Jenny Lynn Christoffersen and may be viewed on TimeLine’s YouTube channel.
Screen TimeLine Theatre's new video IT'S TIME: Our Future Has Begun
The event also featured a Silent Auction offering 40 exclusive prizes, and a grand raffle prize of a four-night vacation in Mexico City.
“We offer our immense gratitude to all who made this year’s Step Into Time such a beautiful night,” said Powers and Cole in a joint statement. “As always, it was a moment when the best of TimeLine was on display, from the profound impact of our generous supporters to the artists, staff, and volunteers who collaborated behind-the-scenes. To everyone who contributed to make this event such a great success, thank you.”
Further information about Step Into Time can also be found online at timelinetheatre.com/step-into-time-2025.
Step Into Time: A Century of Women was co-chaired by TimeLine Board members Shanda McFadden and Ayisha Tahir. Major sponsors included:
- Lead Sponsors Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation and Bill and Penny Obenshain
- Platinum Sponsors Christine Albright and Larry Gill
- Gold Sponsors Kate Hurckes Arias and Gil Arias, JoAnne Dobrick, Maridee Quanbeck, Van Dam Charitable Foundation, and Diane and Richard G. Weinberg
- Silver Sponsors Broadway In Chicago, CIBC, Michael and Kate Kennedy, Mitchell Sabshon and Joan Colmar, and Debra Siegel and Robert Altman
- Bronze Sponsors Bulley & Andrews, Chapman & Cutler, Continental Painting and Decorating, Deborah Cohen and Thomas Silfen, Brian and Marcella Douce, Thad and Lisa Malik, Shanda McFadden and Kenneth McFadden Jr., John and Eileen Sterling, Ayisha Tahir, and Constance and Hugh Williams
- Cocktail Sponsors Kate Hurckes Arias and Gil Arias
- Decor Sponsor Erica C. Meyer
TimeLine Theatre Board of Directors: [Standing] Mitchell A. Sabshon, Step Into Time Co-Chair Shanda McFadden (Munster, IN), David Parkes (Evanston), Board President Thaddeus J. Malik (Elmhurst), TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers (Evanston), John Sterling, Lawrence Gill; [Seated] Maridee Quanbeck, Kate Hurckes Arias, Anne Voshel, William A. Obenshain, JoAnne Dobrick, Step Into Time Co-Chair Ayisha Tahir, Constance L. Williams (Evanston)
TimeLine Theatre Company Members: TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers (Evanston); Helen Young; David Parkes (Evanston); TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling; Behzad Dabu (Los Angeles, CA); Mechelle Moe; Lara Goetsch; Maren Robinson; TimeLine Founding Company Member, Director of Living History Program, and Step Into Time Emcee Juliet Hart (Evanston); Charles Andrew Gardner; Anish Jethmalani (Oak Park)
TimeLine Founding Company Member, Director of Living History Program, and Step Into Time Emcee Juliet Hart (Evanston)
TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers (Evanston)
Band members [Rear] Eric Taylor, Dan Leali, and Marion Mallard and singers [Front] Tiyanna Gentry, Miciah Lathan, and Missy Wise Vanderzee entertain the crowd.
Brenda Wolf
Mary Barrow, Step Into Time Décor Sponsor Erica C. Meyer
Merrill and Karen Goozner on the dance floor
TimeLine Company Members David Parkes (Evanston), Anish Jethmalani (Oak Park), and Tyla Abercrumbie
TimeLine Executive Director Mica Cole (Oak Park), Janice Feinberg, TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers (Evanston)
TimeLine LIving History Teaching Artists: TimeLine Company Member Charles Andrew Gardner; Ashli Rene Funches; Ana Velazquez; TimeLine Founding Company Member, Director of Living History Program, and Step Into Time Emcee Juliet Hart (Evanston); Rachel Romero; Lexi Saunders; Marcus D. Moore
Andy Gelman, Amy Gelman, TimeLine Board Member Lawrence Gill
TIMELINE FOUNDING COMPANY MEMBERS: TimeLine Artistic Director PJ Powers (Evanston); Director of Living History Program and Step Into Time Emcee Juliet Hart (Evanston); TimeLine Associate Artistic Director Nick Bowling
ABOUT TIMELINE THEATRE COMPANY
TimeLine Theatre Company, recipient of the prestigious 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, was founded in April 1997 with a mission to present stories inspired by history that connect with today's social and political issues. Currently celebrating its 28th season, TimeLine has presented 92 productions, including 14 world premieres and 42 Chicago premieres, and launched the Living History Education Program and TimeLine South summer arts program, which bring the company's mission to life for students in Chicago Public Schools and beyond. Recipient of the Alford-Axelson Award for Nonprofit Managerial Excellence and the Richard Goodman Strategic Planning Award from the Association for Strategic Planning, TimeLine has received 62 Jeff Awards, including an award for Outstanding Production 11 times.
Coming soon is the world premiere of a searing Chicago-set story rich with culinary tradition and dramatic twists about family, legacy, and survival at all costs, Dhaba on Devon Avenue. Written by Madhuri Shekar, directed Chay Yew, and produced in partnership with Writers Theatre, Dhaba on Devon Avenue runs June 19 – July 27, 2025 at Writers Theatre in Glencoe.
For more information, visit timelinetheatre.com or Facebook or Instagram (@TimeLineTheatre on both platforms).