Lifeline Theatre Presents "YOU-NITE" For 2014 Annual Gala Benefit May 1 at Mayne Stage

State Senator Heather Steans To Receive Commitment To The Arts Award

CHICAGO – Lifeline Theatre presents “YOU-NITE” for its 2014 Annual Gala Benefit. It’s a benefit all about Lifeline’s supporters and their favorite memories from our 31-year history. The Lifeline ensemble will perform adaptations of stories – submitted by its audience – of moments when Lifeline touched their lives. There will be a hearty buffet of inventive foods, fine wines, craft beers, and our signature drink: the YouNiversal. Also: an exciting live auction (featuring a trip to Nashville including VIP tickets to the Gand Ole Opry) and a cash raffle with a first prize of $2,000. It’s an evening of fun that starts with YOU, all for a very good cause. More information at www.lifelinetheatre.com/2014benefit. 

At the event, the Raymond R. Snyder Commitment to the Arts Award will be presented to Heather Steans, State Senator 7th District. Steans says, “For 31 years, Lifeline Theatre has been a pillar in the Rogers Park community, providing programming and performances for thousands of children, adults and patrons.  I am proud to support Lifeline and I am honored to receive the Raymond Snyder Commitment to the Arts Award.” 

YOU-NITE takes place from 6:30 to 10 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2014, at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse, just steps from Lifeline Theatre. Tickets are $100 for advance purchase, and $125 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at the Lifeline Theatre Box Office, 773.761.4477, or by visiting www.lifelinetheatre.com. 

SUBMIT YOUR STORY: Visit www.lifelinetheatre.com/2014benefit/stories for information on our memory project and for details on submitting your Lifeline story. Submissions due March 28. 

LIVE AUCTION treasures include: 

·       The New York/Buzzfeed Adventure for two, including airfare and hotel stay in NYC, plus a private tour of Buzzfeed and lunch with Buzzfeed president Jon Steinberg

·       The Nashville Roadtrip Getaway, including a $500 gas card, four VIP tickets to the Grand Ol’ Opry (including backstage tour), and more

·       A Downtown Chicago VIP Experience, including two VIP tickets to a Goodman Theatre opening and two Chicago CityPasses, offering VIP admission to the Shedd Aquarium, Adler Planetarium, Field Museum, Willis Tower Observation Deck, and the Museum of Science & Industry

·       Chicago Sports Fan Experience, including a behind-the-scenes tour of Soldier Field (for up to 10 people), two White Sox tickets with free parking pass, and two Bulls tickets

·       Wine Tasting with the Ensemble, a complimentary wine tasting for you and nine friends, curated by PRP Wine International and hosted by Lifeline board member Pat Kelley

·       And more… 

CASH RAFFLE prizes are First Prize: $2,000, Second Prize: $750, Third Prize: $250

Raffle tickets are only one for $10, or three for $20. You need not attend the gala to win, and raffle tickets may be purchased online via www.lifelinetheatre.com/2014benefit. Prizes are dependent on number of tickets sold and may vary.

INDIVIDUAL SPONSORSHIP: Individual sponsorship packages are available at two levels: 

·         Director’s Circle: a $500 sponsorship gift receives 6 event tickets

·         Producer’s Circle: a $1,000 sponsorship gift receives 12 event tickets 

Both levels receive acknowledgement in the program and a champagne toast with Artistic Director Dorothy Milne and the Lifeline ensemble. Contact Development Director Alex Kyger at 773-761-4477 x708. 

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIP: Packages are available from $2,000, and include event tickets, exposure, and event signage. Contact Development Director Alex Kyger at 773-761-4477 x708 for more information. 

Sponsors: YOU-NITE is generously sponsored by Flex Print, Inc.; Ingredion; Mayne Stage; and Towers Watson. 

Host Committee: Therese McGuire, Mary Bao, Donna & Jim Grecco, Todd Hensley, and Rebecca Tinkham. 

Honorary Committee: Joe Moore, Alderman, 49th Ward; Heather Steans, State Senator 7th District; Paul & Rebecca Mulroy; Marcia Festen, Marcia Festen and Associates; and Ra Joy, Arts Alliance Illinois. 

YOU-NITE takes place from 6:30 to 10 p.m., Thursday, May 1, 2014, at Mayne Stage, 1328 W. Morse, Chicago, IL – just steps from Lifeline Theatre. Tickets are $100 for advance purchase, and $125 at the door. Tickets may be purchased at the Lifeline Theatre Box Office, 773.761.4477, or by visiting www.lifelinetheatre.com. 

Valet parking is available for $5. Street parking is also available and Mayne Stage is handicapped and CTA accessible (Red Line Morse stop/busses). 

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Now in its 31st season, Lifeline Theatre specializes in original literary adaptations. Its ensemble of artists uses imaginative, unconventional staging to portray sprawling stories in an intimate space. Lifeline is committed to promoting the arts in its Rogers Park neighborhood and is an anchor of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District.  We aspire to create art that is relevant to our culturally diverse, increasingly youthful neighborhood.  Lifeline Theatre – Big Stories, Up Close. 

Lifeline Theatre’s programs are partially supported by Alphawood Foundation; The Allstate Foundation;  The Arts Work Fund; Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation; CityArts grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events; The Common Cup; Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation; FGMK LLC; Flex Print , Inc. ; Lloyd A. Fry Foundation; The Grover Hermann Foundation; Illinois Arts Council, a state agency; MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince; Netrix LLC; The Pauls Foundation; The Polk Bros. Foundation; The Shubert Foundation; and the annual support of businesses and individuals.