Andre DeShields Honored at 27th Annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts

The 27th Annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts, held on Monday, November 9th, at the Radisson Blu Aqua Hotel, raised funds for scholarships and celebrated talented artists and visionaries who came together in support of Theatre School students.

Actor, director, and choreographer André De Shields (Ain't Misbehavin', The Wiz, The Full Monty) received the 2015 Award for Excellence in the Arts, presented by Christopher Jones, MFA Acting, Class of 2016. "My art is my ministry," explained De Shields. "Storytelling is transformative. Storytelling can change the world. Storytelling is our most powerful tool as artists."

Actress and alumna Karen Aldridge (Matilda the Musical, Boss) accepted the 2015 Alumni Award for Excellence in the Arts, presented by Paola Sanchez Abreu, BFA Acting, Class of 2016. "I've had the opportunity to do amazing things, and they all started with The Theatre School and with Chicago," said Aldridge.

The Leadership Award for Excellence in the Arts was presented to Lou Raizin, President, Broadway in Chicago, in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to Chicago arts community. "We need to build a conversation about Chicago that's heard around the world," explained Raizin.

Members of the Chicago theatre and civic community showed their support, and included Alderman Edward M. Burke, Alderman Michelle Smith, director/actor Ron OJ Parson, director Chuck Smith, Chris Jones (Chief Theater Critic for the Chicago Tribune), and Michael Halberstam (Artistic Director, Writers Theatre), among other industry professionals. Also in attendance were Theatre School Board members Brian Montgomery (Board Chair, Exelon), Mary Spalding Burns, Monika Black, Lorraine Evanoff, Penny Obenshain, Pat Slovak (Schiff Hardin), Linda Usher (o2-Cool), Tomer Yogev, Dennis Zacek, and numerous other VIP guests. In total, there were over 330 people joining the evening's festivities.

Event co-chairs and Theatre School Board members included Joseph Antunovich (President, Antunovich Associates), Sondra A. Healy (Chairman, Turtle Wax, Inc.), Trisha Rooney (President, R4 Services) and the Rev. Monsignor Kenneth Velo (Senior Executive, Office of Catholic Collaboration, DePaul University). Major supporters of the event included Antunovich Associates, Exelon, Geico, PNC Bank, R4 Services, Schiff Hardin, and Turtle Wax. Wedgwood USA, a long-time corporate sponsor of the Awards for Excellence in the Arts, provided the award pieces for the honorees.

"We are so grateful to each and every person who supported this event, and contributed to The Theatre School Scholarship Fund," says John Culbert, Dean of The Theatre School. "This crucial support directly impacts the success of the next generation of theatre artists."

The celebration also featured a raffle and live auction. Students from DePaul's School of Music provided live music throughout the evening. Many members of the League of Chicago Theatres generously donated tickets and arts experiences in support of these onsite fundraising initiatives. By the end of the night, the 2015 Awards for Excellence in the Arts grossed over $260,000 for The Theatre School Scholarship Fund.

The Theatre School at DePaul University educates, trains, and inspires students of theatre in a conservatory setting that is rigorous, disciplined, and culturally diverse. The school and its students strive for the highest level of professional skill and artistry. A commitment to diversity and equality in education is central to its mission. As an integral part of the training, The Theatre School produces public programs and performances from a wide repertoire of classic, contemporary, and original plays that challenge, entertain, and stimulate the imagination. The school seeks to enhance the intellectual and cultural life of the university community, the city, and the profession.

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