Shakespeare & Company Announces Their Annual Gala

Shakespeare & Company celebrates its 41st Season, Saturday, June 30th with its annual Gala. This year's event will honor Trustee Michael A. Miller for his twenty-five years of dedication to the Company. The very special evening will feature a one-night-only performance blending music and theatre from Silkroad Ensemble and Shakespeare & Company's venerated performers.

Co-chaired by Rhea Werner and Suzanne Werner, the evening will begin outdoors at 5:30pm in the Roman Garden Theatre with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction. The festivities will continue with special performances by musicians from the Grammy Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble and Shakespeare & Company Artists. After the performance, guests will be welcomed into the tented courtyard for an elegant dinner catered by Kate Baldwin Food. After dinner, guests will be invited to join the entire Company for desserts and dancing with DJ BFG.

"We are excited to honor Mike at this year's gala," says co-chair Rhea Werner. "He has been a guiding force for the Company since its early days at The Mount." Co-chair Suzanne Werner adds, "We also are thrilled to welcome musicians from the Silkroad Ensemble to the Tina Packer Playhouse to celebrate a renaissance of music and theatre, a collaboration embedded in the cultural fabric of the Company since its inception."

Founded by cellist Yo-Yo Ma in 1998, Silkroad creates music that engages difference, sparking radical cultural collaboration and passion-driven learning to build a more hopeful world. The musicians of the Grammy Award-winning Silkroad Ensemble represent dozens of artistic traditions and countries, from Spain and Japan to Syria and the United States. The Ensemble is a musical collective that appears in many configurations and settings, from intimate groups of two and three in museum galleries to rousing complements of eighteen in concert halls, public squares, and amphitheaters.

"We are very happy to bring Michi Wiancko back to Shakespeare & Company and to welcome her esteemed colleagues from Silkroad," said Artistic Director Allyn Burrows. "In addition Mike Miller has done so much for this company that it's an honor to honor him! Our Gala's Renaissance theme points to new horizons for us, and the evening looks to be a wonderful celebration of our being here in the Berkshires these several decades".

Premium Tables seating eight guests may be reserved for $25,000 for Diamond Tables, $10,000 for Gold Tables or $5,000 for Silver Tables. Gold Tickets are priced at $750, and individual Gala tickets are $400. All tickets include admission to the opening performance, cocktail reception and dinner, dancing, and dessert. For guests interested in only attending the after-party with cocktails and dancing with DJ BFG passes are available $40. Festive dress is encouraged. To reserve your seats or for more information, please call 413-637-1199 ext. 105 or visit Shakespeare.org.?

The 2018 Gala Committee includes: Rhea Werner (co-chair), Suzanne Werner (co-chair), Helene Berger, Sandra Bourgeois, George Camarda, Phoebe Giddon, Ricki Helfer, Dr. Beverly Hyman, Jennie Jadow, Deborah Ryan, Barry R. and Marjorie Shapiro, and Rose Zoltek-Jick.

The Shakespeare & Company Board of Trustees includes: Kenneth E. Werner (Chair), Jeffrey B. Konowitch (Vice Chair), Barry R. Shapiro (Vice Chair), Michael Helfer (Treasurer), Michael A. Miller (Clerk), Jerome Berko, Sandra Bourgeois, George Camarda, Kevin G. Coleman, Gerald Friedman, M.D., Ph.D., Michael Fuchs, Phoebe L. Giddon, Dr. Beverly Hyman, Jennie M. Jadow, Dennis Krausnick, Barri Marks, Maureen O'Hanlon, Helga S. Orthofer, Tina Packer, Claudia Perles, Scott Rubinow, William M. Ryan, David A. Smith, Robert B. Strassler, John Douglas Thompson, and Suzanne Werner.

The Company looks forward to celebrating Michael A. Miller's dedication to the Company with supporters, artists, and the Berkshire community. Shakespeare & Company's 2018 Gala Sponsors are Bella Flora, Berkshire Mountain Distillers, and Blue Q. For questions please contact Director of Donor Relations Natalie Johnsonius Neubert at 413-637-1199 ext. 180 or via email at nneubert@shakespeare.org.

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