Photo Flash: 2015 RED OR WHITE BALL Raises Nearly $60K for Steppenwolf for Young Adults

More than 350 of Chicago's most influential young professionals gathered at Venue One in the West Loop on Friday, April 10 for the 2015 Red or White Ball, the Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council's annual spring event. The celebration raised nearly $60,000 for Steppenwolf's nationally recognized arts education program, Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA), which annually impacts more than 15,000 students, teachers and families. Scroll down for photos from the event!

The evening kicked off with a VIP Reception at 7:30pm, featuring tasting stations from Arami and Chef Frederick Despres; Cantina de la Granja and Chef Diana Davila; CH Distillery; and Chef Justin Ferguson, Executive Chef of Ideology Entertainment, Blue Door Farm Stand and La Storia Ristorante. Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council President Aimee Graham and 2015 Red or White Ball Chair Tanya Stanfield welcomed the crowd and introduced 2015 Red or White Ball Honorary Chair, Steppenwolf Managing Director David Schmitz. Schmitz shared remarks about his passion for arts education and his gratitude for the impactful work and generous support of theSteppenwolf Auxiliary Council.

The doors to the main event opened at 9pm where guests enjoyed open bars, food, priceless auction and raffle packages and D.J. Matt ROAN spinning late into the night. The main event tasting stations included III Forks Steakhouse, The Dawson, RA Sushi, Tesori, and late-night passed bites from Cheesie's Pub n' Grub, Cookie Bar, Dawali Mediterranean Kitchen and La Fournette. Guests had fun on the dance floor and at the photo booth from Fotio. The late-night after-party took place at Nellcote in the West Loop.

Silent auction prizes included exciting experiences like a trip to Austin, TX including accommodations at the Driskill Hotel and plane tickets provided by United Airlines; a "Taste of Hyde Park" which included a tour of the historic neighborhood and tickets to Court Theatre; and a wine tasting party for 10 from Joe's Wine Cellar. Raffle prizes included a private arena tour of the United Center for four and drinks at The Ogden, a Steppenwolf Premium Package with two seats at an Opening Night Celebration of your choice with dinner, show and after-party and the chance to win an iPad Mini 3.

The 2015 Red or White Ball Chair was Tanya Stanfield. Co-Chairs included Jon Blanc, Isaac Colunga and Julia Luscombe. The honorary chair was Steppenwolf Managing Director David Schmitz.

Last year's Red or White Ball also raised nearly $60,000 for Steppenwolf's nationally recognized arts education programming. Steppenwolf for Young Adults is a comprehensive educational initiative that annually serves 15,000 students, teachers and families. The program provides access to the theater for a broad base of Chicago's youth, ages 12 - 19, and schools throughout the Chicago metropolitan area with a strong focus on partnering with Chicago Public Schools.

Steppenwolf for Young Adults' unique approach combines play production with educational components to enhance arts education for young audiences, as well as their teachers and families. SYA creates two full-scale professional productions each season specifically for teens. Working closely with the Chicago Public and metropolitan area schools and other community partners, SYA annually ensures access to the theater for more than 12,000 participants from Chicago's diverse communities. The initiative also includes post-show discussions with artists; classroom residencies led by Steppenwolf-trained teaching artists in more than 30 classrooms in 12 public high schools; professional development workshops for educators; and the Young Adult Council, an innovative year-round after school initiative that uniquely engages high school students in all areas of the theater's operations.

The Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council is a dynamic group of young professionals dedicated to civic leadership. The Council is made up of more than 100 energetic leaders with a shared mission to support Steppenwolf's arts education program for high school students. Since its inception in 2000, the Auxiliary Council has raised nearly $1.5 million in contributions.

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