The League of Chicago Theatres announces the 2025 Spotlight Gala, A Night Under the Big Top – A Whimsical Affair for the Theatre Kid in You. This annual event celebrating Chicago theatre will be held Monday, August 4, 6:00 - 8:00 pm at Teatro ZinZanni, 32 W Randolph Street in Chicago.
Set against the backdrop of Teatro ZinZanni’s stunning venue, the evening will feature a cocktail reception, dinner, live entertainment, and special tributes to those who make our theatre landscape thrive. Proceeds from the Spotlight Gala will directly support the League’s ongoing efforts to enhance the art of theatre in Chicago through audience development, professional development, and support services for theatres and theatre professionals.
“This year’s Gala promises to be a night of celebration and community. Under the gorgeous antique Spiegeltent Teatro Zin Zanni, this inclusive event will bring out the theater kid in all of us while honoring some of the brightest contributors to the Chicago theatre community,” comments League of Chicago Theatres Executive Director Marissa Lynn Jones.
The 2025 Gala Committee is: Kate Lipuma, Roche Schulfer and Heidi Thompson-Saunders.
The Chicago theatre community will honor Henry Godinez with the Lifetime Achievement Award, About Face Theatre with the Artistic Excellence Award, and the Chicago Green Theatre Alliance with the Tribute Award.
The Broadway In Chicago Backstage Champion Award, recognizing the contributions of an unsung, behind-the-scenes hero, will be announced at the event. The award carries a $1000 award.
The winners of the Broadway In Chicago Backstage Champion Award will be announced and will be presented at the event. Nominated by a committee of industry professionals, educators and League of Chicago Theatres board members, five finalists are selected each year, and from those, a majority vote from the League membership determines the winner. Broadway In Chicago provides a $5,000 cash prize. Previous award recipients include: Broken Nose Theatre, Route 66 Theatre Company, Sideshow Theatre Company, Jackalope Theatre Company, Oracle Productions, The House Theatre of Chicago, Silk Road Theatre Project (now Silk Road Rising), the side project, Steep Theatre, The New Colony, Theatre Seven of Chicago and 16th Street Theater.
Individual tickets are available for $350 per person, and all proceeds benefit the League of Chicago Theatres which promotes, supports, and advocates for theatre in Chicago. To purchase tickets, or for sponsorship opportunities and participation information, visit www.chicagoplays.com/gala or call 312-554-9800.
The League will also bring back the popular Spotlight Ticket Initiative for the Gala this year. The initiative allows Gala Sponsors to donate their tickets to be used by members of the Chicago Theatre Community.
About Chicago theatre
Chicago theatre is the leader in the U.S. with more than 250 theatres throughout Chicagoland, comprising a rich and varied community ranging from storefront, non-union theatres to the most renowned resident theatres in the country, including 6 which have been honored with Regional Tony Awards, and the largest touring Broadway organization in the nation. Chicago’s theatres serve 5 million audience members annually and have a combined budget of more than $250 million. Chicago produces and/or presents more world premieres annually than any other city in the nation. Each year Chicago theatres send new work to resident theatres across the country, to Broadway, and around the world. For more information, visit www.chicagoplays.com.
The League of Chicago Theatres’ Mission Statement
Theatre is essential to the life of a great city and to its citizens. The League of Chicago Theatres is an alliance of theatres, which leverages its collective strength to support, promote and advocate for Chicago’s theatre industry. Through our work, we ensure that theatre continues to thrive in our city.
For a comprehensive list of Chicago productions, visit the League of Chicago Theatres website, ChicagoPlays.com. Available discounted tickets are listed at HotTix.org.