Theatre School at DePaul University's 2014 Awards for Excellence in the Arts Winners Announced

The 26th Annual Awards for Excellence in the Arts, held on Monday, November 3rd, at the Four Seasons Hotel Chicago, raised money for scholarships and celebrated talented artists and visionaries who came together in support of Theatre School students.

Actress Felicia P. Fields (The Color Purple) received the 2014 Award for Excellence in the Arts, presented by Denzel Irby, BFA Acting, Class of 2015. "I only got the opportunity to do this because I had great teachers," Fields explained about her career. "Teachers are the ones that encourage you do that which you don't think you are able to do."

Actor and Alumnus P.J. Byrne (The Wolf of Wall Street, The Campaign, Horrible Bosses) accepted the 2014 Alumni Award for Excellence in the Arts, presented by Maureen Kuhl, BFA Theatre Arts, Class of 2015. "As a former recipient of a Theatre School scholarship, I want to thank the school for giving me the tools and the guidance and, most importantly, the love to achieve my goals," Byrne shared with the room of supporters and students. "The Theatre School has the greatest faculty and staff-and I mean this-in the country. And the best new facility in the entire world. There are students in this room right now who will go on to accomplish things I can't even imagine, and they will one day be standing up on this stage, giving you a very heartfelt 'thank you' for being a part of our DePaul family."

The Leadership Award for Excellence in the Arts was presented to James and Catherine Denny in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to arts and cultural institutions in Chicago. "DePaul is truly Chicago's school," Mr. Denny remarked. "The new Theatre School building symbolizes the beginning of a new chapter in the history of DePaul, when the Performing Arts receive the long overdue recognition of their role as central pillars of a university education."

Members of the Chicago theatre community showed their support, and included Deb Clapp (Executive Director, League of Chicago Theatres), Eileen LaCario (Vice President, Broadway in Chicago), director/actor Ron OJ Parson, 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 (Exelon), Joseph Santiago Jr. (PNC Bank), Pat Slovak (Schiff Hardin), Penny Obenshain, Linda Usher (o2-Cool), Mary Spalding Burns (Board Chair), and numerous other VIP guests. In total, there were over 300 people joining the evening's festivities.

PNC Bank was the Corporate Co-Chair for the 2014 Awards for Excellence in the Arts, and Scott C. Swanson (President, PNC Bank, Illinois) was in attendance. "We are proud to support DePaul students through the PNC Senior Scholarship program, and other initiatives at The Theatre School," says Swanson. "These students are talented, passionate and dedicated, and it's exciting to see them achieve their dreams. We appreciate that our support enables them to attend one of the greatest theater schools in the country."

Event co-chairs included Joseph Antunovich (President, Antunovich Associates), Sondra A. Healy (Chairman, Turtle Wax, Inc.), Gordon and Carole Segal (Co-Founders, Crate and Barrel) and the Rev. Monsignor Kenneth Velo (Senior Executive, Office of Catholic Collaboration, DePaul University). Major supporters of the event included Antunovich Associates, Exelon, Geico, Magellan Corporation, PNC Bank, R4 Services, and Staples. The long-time corporate sponsor of the Awards for Excellence in the Arts is Wedgwood USA, who provide the awards 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 2014 Awards for Excellence in the Arts grossed over $300,000 for The Theatre School Scholarship Fund.

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