Piven Theatre Workshop Gala to Honor Legendary Founder Joyce Piven

Piven Theatre Workshop's celebrity alumni are coming home to Chicago for one big night to honor their favorite teacher-legendary founder, Joyce Piven. On Saturday, May 6, philanthropic leaders, community partners and friends of Piven Theatre Workshop from Hollywood, Broadway and around the world will pay tribute to Piven's remarkable 45 years in Chicago theatre at the inaugural Once Upon a Stage gala at Revel Fulton Market in Chicago's West Loop. Notable guests include Jeremy Piven, who will accompany his mother to the gala, Shira Piven, Adam McKay, Ed Asner, Paul Adelstein, Lili Taylor, Aidan Quinn and Chicago's own Billy Dec, Harry Lennix, James Vincent Meredith and Lucas Jade Zumann, among others.

"When my parents started the workshop, they didn't want to turn away anyone-and that spirit of giving a voice to people that don't always have one continues to drive our programs," said Jeremy Piven, star of Mr. Selfridge, Entourage and the soon-to-be released feature film All-Star Weekend with Jami Foxx.

Piven Theatre Workshop has an enduring commitment to giving back to the community by offering need-based scholarships, and in 2016 gave away an unprecedented amount of $50,000 in scholarships. Beyond its acclaimed Evanston training center that serves more than 1,000 children and adult students annually in improvisational theatre, Piven Theatre Workshop leads theatre training in schools and community programs across Chicagoland, including Off The Street Club in West Garfield Park, The Cove School in Northbrook for K-12 students with complex learning disabilities from over 50 Chicago school districts and Beacon Academy in Evanston. Piven also leads outreach programs for adults with developmental disabilities through Piven Empowerment through Enrichment Program (PEEP) and women in Cook County Jail with workshops that help inmates with communication skills, stress management and empathy.

The star-studded Once Upon A Stage gala begins at 6:00 pm with a cocktail reception and continues with dinner, dancing and a special tribute to Joyce Piven, along with many unforgettable surprises throughout the night. Revel Fulton Market is located at 1215 West Fulton Market. For tickets, visit bit.ly/pivengala or call Piven Theatre Workshop at 847-866-6597 for more information.