Steppenwolf to Host Red or White Ball 2015 Next Month

The Steppenwolf Auxiliary Council hosts one of Chicago's most exciting spring events, the 2015 Red or White Ball on Friday, April 10, 2015 at 9pm. The signature event for the city's most influential young professionals begins with the highly anticipated VIP Reception at 7:30pm, featuring restaurant stations presented by Chicago's leading chefs, followed by a party with open bars, food, exciting auction and raffle packages and D.J. Matt ROAN spinning late into the night.

Hundreds of young arts supporters will gather at Chicago's sleek, contemporary Venue One (1034 W Randolph St) for this high-energy celebration supporting Steppenwolf's nationally recognized arts education program, Steppenwolf for Young Adults (SYA), which annually impacts more than 15,000 students, teachers and families.

The 2015 Red or White Ball Honorary Chair is Steppenwolf Managing Director David Schmitz. Schmitz, who took over executive leadership of Steppenwolf this past January shares, "It is a great honor to be recognized at an event that benefits a cause for which I am so passionate-arts education programming in Chicago's schools. By the time I was 10 I knew I wanted a career in theater, and it is all because of the arts education I was fortunate enough to receive. Without programming like this, I wouldn't be where I am today."

Tickets for the 2015 Red or White Ball are on sale now and can be purchased online at www.bidpal.net/redorwhiteball or via e-mail by contacting Development Associate Karyn Todd at ktodd@steppenwolf.org. Individual tickets are $125; a limited number of $250 VIP tickets are also available and include an exclusive cocktail 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.

This year's main event offers tasting stations from III Forks Steakhouse, The Dawson, RA Sushi, Tesori, Cheesie's Pub n' Grub, Cookie Bar and Dawali Mediterranean Kitchen. Highlights of the night will include a photo booth from Fotio, music from D.J. Matt ROAN, dancing and a late-night after-party at Nellcote for all attendees.

Silent auction prizes include 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" including a tour of the historic neighborhood and tickets to Court Theatre; and a private in-home wine tasting party for 20 from Wines for Humanity. Raffle prizes include 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, the chance to win an iPad Mini 3 and more. Raffle tickets are $10 each or three for $25.

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

Last year's Red or White Ball 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.