Lookingglass Theatre Company is delighted to announce its unconventional, untraditional, and unwired fundraiser, the unGala, live and in-person for 2022! The Tony Award-winning art house has designed an intimate and fully immersive experience, under the name A Very Foolish Dinner Party, fittingly taking place on April Fool’s Day, April 1.

This year’s event will rejoice in the return of live story-telling, and support the weaving of tales to come. Join the Lookingglass Board, Ensemble Members, Artistic Associates, and guest artists in a promenade-style party through the rooms of Chicago’s iconic Palmer House, each centered on the esteemed theatre company’s core values (invention – collaboration – transformation) and featuring themed performances along every stop of the route. This unforgettable and whimsical night will be filled with live musicians, magic, and a sneak-peek at upcoming shows. The evening will also include a silent auction, with packages to be announced at a later date. Be a part of the progressive performance and party in celebration of Lookingglass Theatre’s return on April 1, 2022.
The funds raised from A Very Foolish Dinner Party directly support the Company’s core work, including Lookingglass Theatre’s signature new play development process, gglassworks – the fountainhead from which the Water Tower-based Company’s genre-defying, world premiere works flow – and its Department of Curiosity programs that partner artists with more than 20 community-based organizations and 70 classrooms across the city, impacting more than 5,600 students, teachers, and community members each year.
Capacity for the event is limited to 250 guests. Sponsorship information for the 2022 unGala is available here.
More information is available at lookingglasstheatre.org/ungala-2022
As of February 17, attendees will be required to provide proof of vaccination. A negative PCR/antigen test within a certain number of days may also be required.
THANK YOU TO OUR 2022 unGala SPONSORS
- Vignette Sponsor
- BMO Harris Bank
Host Committee
- Exelon
- Joseph and Bessie Feinberg Foundation
- Lee and Sandy Golub
- Abbie Helene Roth, M.D.
Event Sponsor
- Allstate
- Conagra Brands
- Michael Harrington and Anne Pramaggiore
- Anita and Dan Mauro
- Nancy and Michael Timmers
- Thomas Sparks
Artistic Advocate
- Richard Chapman
- Ron Cortina
- Charlie and Stephanie Frankel
- Brenda Langstraat and Ve Bui
- William Blair & Co.
unGala Patron
- Lindsay Knight and Nick Seguin
In Kind Sponsors
- A. Marek Fine Jewelry
- Frontera Grill
- HMS Media
- Topolobampo
About Lookingglass Theatre Company
Inventive. Collaborative. Transformative. Lookingglass Theatre Company, recipient of the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, was founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students. Now in its 34th Season, Lookingglass is home to a multi-disciplined ensemble of artists who create story-centered theatrical work that is physical, aurally rich and visually metaphoric. The Company, located in Chicago’s landmark Water Tower Water Works, has staged 70 world premieres, received 161 Joseph Jefferson Award Nominations, and produced work all across the United States. In 2016, Lookingglass received the MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions and in 2017, was the recipient of the League of Chicago Theatres’ Artistic Achievement Award.
Lookingglass continues to expand its artistic, financial, and institutional boundaries under the guidance of Artistic Director Heidi Stillman, Executive Director Rachel L. Fink, a 29-member artistic ensemble, 22 artistic associates, an administrative staff, and a dedicated board of directors led by Chair Diane Whatton.
For more information, visit lookingglasstheatre.org.
Engage with us on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. #LookingglassTheatre
Lookingglass Board Members
- Michael Belsley
- Molly Beran
- David Catlin
- Richard Chapman
- Lester N. Coney
- Richard A. Ditton
- Rachel L. Fink
- Anthony Fleming III
- Charlie Frankel
- Lee Golub
- Luis Gutierrez
- Lisa Naparstek Green
- Jon Harris
- Michael Harrington
- Michelle Hayward
- Lindsay Hearn
- Lindsay Knight
- Brenda Langstraat
- Anita Mauro
- Christian McGrath
- Jill Reznick Meier
- Marla Mendelson, M.D.
- Bob Palffy
- James A. Raff
- Abbie Helene Roth, M.D.
- Peter Roth
- Patrick Rule
- Darren Snyder
- Jeff Steigelman
- Heidi Stillman
- Nancy Timmers
- Catie Walsh
- Diane Whatton
- Steven Weiss
- Charlotte B. Whitaker
Lookingglass Ensemble Members
- Kareem Bandealy
- Mara Blumenfeld
- Walter Briggs
- J. Nicole Brooks
- David Catlin
- Thomas J. Cox
- Lawrence E. DiStasi
- Kevin Douglas
- Christine Mary Dunford
- Laura Eason
- Anthony Fleming III
- Kasey Foster
- Raymond Fox
- Joy Gregory
- Doug Hara
- Sylvia Hernandez-DiStasi
- Anthony Irons
- David Kersnar
- Louise Lamson
- Daniel Ostling
- Andre Pluess
- David Schwimmer
- Joey Slotnick
- Philip R. Smith
- Heidi Stillman
- Tracy Walsh
- Andrew White
- Temple Williams III
- Mary Zimmerman
Lookingglass Artistic Associates
- Atra Asdou
- Brian Sidney Bembridge
- Christine A. Binder
- Cordelia Dewdney
- Deanna Dunagan
- Sara Gmitter
- Tony Hernandez
- Lauren Hirte
- Joshua Horvath
- J. Salomé Martinez Jr.
- Wendy Mateo
- Ericka Ratcliff
- Sully Ratke
- Scott Silberstein
- Rick Sims
- Alison Siple
- Samuel Taylor
- Lisa Tejero
- Troy West
- Lindsey Noel Whiting
- Matthew C. Yee
Event Listing Details
Event: Lookingglass Theatre Company’s 2022 unGala, A Very Foolish Dinner Party
Date and Time: Friday, April 1, 2022, at 5:30PM CT
Location: Palmer House, 17 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603
Ticket Details: Limited capacity available. Sponsorship information available here.
Website: For more information, visit https://lookingglasstheatre.org/ungala-2022/