Beyond the Nutcracker Playbill

INTRODUCTION BEYOND THE NUTCRACKER

Dear Friends of Ballet 5:8, We are beyond thrilled to provide the South Suburbs of Chicago with the captivating Christmas story, Beyond the Nutcracker, a beloved Ballet 5:8 tradition, for the eighth year. Performances feature students from all our School of Ballet 5:8 locations in Orland Park and Beverly (Chicago) in the Children’s Cast roles alongside talented aspiring artists from the Ballet 5:8 Studio Company and our Pre-Professional Ensemble. We are honored to have Guest Artists from Ballet 5:8’s professional company and Second Company add their talents and excellence to today’s performance as well. You’ll hear the familiar score of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite, but the story will look different from what you’re used to from other Nutcracker’s you may have seen. The crux of Beyond the Nutcracker centers around the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus coming to earth and dwelling among His people. We’ll encounter Emma and her Uncle Abrahms as they journey around the world and see how people of all nations have been changed because of the love of God.

We’re so grateful that you are here! Whether you are supporting a dancer performing or just wanted to spend your time doing a fun Christmas tradition, you made it possible for Ballet 5:8 to continue to support the South Suburbs with honest, relevant, and breathtaking dance.

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Julianna Rubio Slager, Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director

Lauren Diaz, Ballet 5:8 Executive Director

A Special Thanks to our Ballet 5:8 Staff and Board For Making These Performances Possible

Julianna Rubio Slager Co-Founder & Artistic Director

Lauren Diaz Executive Director

Grace Blando School Social Media Associate

Victoria Bush Studio Manager

Katrina Clarke Children’s & Youth Director

Sarah Clarke Conservatory & Trainee Co-Director

Sarah L. Freeman Production & Stage Manager

Lezlie Gray Company Social Media Associate

Rebecca Huang Marketing & Communications Manager

Haley Kisch Sr. Studio Manager

Kayla Kowach Executive Administrative Assistant

Valerie Linsner Pre-Professional Program Co-Director

Elizabeth Marlin Conservatory & Trainee Co-Director

Samuel Opsal Conservatory & Trainee Co-Director

Shawna Paterson Beverly Front Desk Team Lorianne Robertson Head of Wardrobe

Melanie Rodrigues School Wardrobe Coordinator

Miranda Rubio Pre-Professional Program Co-Director Sophia Snider Community & Wellness Coordinator

Laura Peterman Willis Communications Coordinator

SCHOOL OF BALLET 5:8 INSTRUCTORS

Grace Blando, Libby Dennen, Kayla Kowach, Lydia Lund, Laura Peterman Willis, Ashley Reed, April Sakell, Ford Tackett, Elizabeth Tjia, James Wainwright,

JULIANNA RUBIO SLAGER

Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director and Resident Choreographer

Julianna Rubio Slager is originally from Spring Arbor, Michigan. Rubio Slager began her dance training with Mrs. Lori Ladwig and went on to study under notable teachers from the New York City Ballet, the Vaganova Academy and Puerto Rican National Ballet. Rubio Slager enjoyed dancing under Barbara Smith at Greater Lansing Ballet during her training, and also under Kathy Thibodeaux and Sol Maisonet at Ballet Magnificat.

Upon moving to Chicago, Rubio Slager had the opportunity to work as a freelance artist, teacher and choreographer in the Greater Chicago area.

Rubio Slager was instrumental in the co-founding of Ballet 5:8 in 2012. Rubio Slager is known for her unique ability to engage audiences in discussions of life and faith through her choreography. She has created over 45 works in her past ten years at Ballet 5:8.

Ballet 5:8 tours nationally, bringing Rubio Slager‘s critically acclaimed ballets such as Reckless, Butterfly, The Space in Between, Scarlet and Compass to audiences across the nation. Rubio Slager has won several grants from the Illinois Arts Council and was selected for the DCASE Individual Artist Grant in 2015.

Rubio Slager is a groundbreaking figure within the field, as one of the few Mexican American Artistic Directors and Resident Choreographers of professional ballet companies in the world. She hopes that her leadership and creative work at Ballet 5:8 will pave the way for other women and minorities in professional ballet.

Over the past decade Rubio Slager has enjoyed training and mentoring the next generation of aspiring artists in the School of Ballet 5:8‘s PreProfessional and Conservatory programs, and in the Ballet 5:8 Trainee Program. Her students have been awarded contracts, scholarships and placement with dance companies, colleges and training schools across the country.

Ballet 5:8 is a female and minority-led premiere ballet company recognized for remarkable artistic excellence, innovation and beauty. Mexican American Artistic Director, Julianna Rubio Slager, creates original and dynamic ballet experiences drawing from life, faith, current events and diverse perspectives that tell relevant stories of the 21st century. Rubio Slager brings to life ballets that are relatable and accessible to all people, delighting both the seasoned balletomane and the first time audience.

Since its founding in 2012, Ballet 5:8 has presented more than 45 critically acclaimed ballets forging a robust repertoire, engaging and captivating communities in Chicago, the Midwest and across the nation. Headquartered in Orland Park, IL, Ballet 5:8 is the only performing arts company in Chicago’s South Suburbs serving more than 400 students a year as a cultural staple in the community. The School also has a Beverly Campus on Chicago’s South Side raising up the next generation of aspiring artists.

Haley Linhart, you are our Christmas Joy today and everyday! We are so proud! Love Pa & Mimi xo

Haley Linhart, watching you dance so beautifully brings us so much Christmas Joy! We love you sweetheart! Mommy, Daddy, Nicholas

Maya and Elena Rogge, have fun in BTN! We love your dancing. We’re so proud. Love, Mom, Dad and Noah

Amelie, Zara, & Ellie Rivadeneira, You were as bright as the sun today! We are so proud of you, & we love you the most! -Mom & Dad

Merde Philomena! Love, Mom and Dad

Katja, It’s uplifting to see the amount of joy emanating from your dancing. You love what you’re doing and it shows! With love from your biggest fans. -With love from your biggest fans

Genali, Live Your Dream and Dance Away Genali! We Love You! -Matthew and Loridine Cariquitan-Screck

Genali, Talent and hard work!

Congratulations Genali! - Loridine Cariquitan-Schreck, Generand Algenio and Guillan Algenio

So proud of you Alli Bulow! You’re beautiful out there! -Mom and Dad

Eva Kot, we love you sweetheart. -Katarzyna Kot

Congratulations Amelia Nardi!! You are a beautiful dancer and it’s been amazing watching you shine!! Love you always! Mom, dad, Anthony and Anna

Congratulations Ryleigh Scott! Mom is so proud of you! <3 -Ara Scott

We are so proud of you, Clare Domke! Love, Dad, Mom, Rachel, Veronica, Lucia, and John

Grace, Greta and Ben Merrill, Congratulations on another beautiful performance! We are always blessed by your hard work and dedication. Love, Grandma & Poppy

To our favorite Party Girl and Soldier of the Night, Grace Merrill: We’re proud of all your hard work! Love Mom & Dad

Dear Greta, We can’t wait to watch our favorite Hungarian Dancer! We appreciate all your hard work! Love, Mom & Dad

Grace, Greta, and Ben ~ Great job! May you always praise God in the dance. Love you, Grandma/Mom

Stella Rae Sharma, Our Petite Party Girl. We are so happy you are performing again in Beyond the Nutcracker. We love watching you on stage and proud of your work to learn the dance and your commitment to ballet! Love, Mommy, Daddy, and Daisy

DURING THE PERFORMANCE PHOTOGRAPHY, VIDEOGRAPHY, AND CELL PHONE USE ARE NOT PERMITTED DURING THE PERFORMANCE.

As a courtesy to the dancers and your fellow patrons, please turn your cell phones on do not disturb before the performance. The taking of photographs (flash, non-flash, and otherwise) and the use of any type of recording device is prohibited during the performance and is a violation of state and federal copyright laws. Ballet 5:8 reserves the right to delete digital media and to confiscate tape or film recorded of the performance, as well as to escort any patrons using cell phones and/or recording devices out of the theater with no ticket refund provided. Additionally if you exit the theater during the performance, you may not re- enter until intermission.

There is no late-entry to the performance as it will be unsafe for the dancers on stage.

PROLOGUE

Beyond the Nutcracker begins during World War II. Abrahms, a British soldier, lays on the ground, badly injured. He is not a religious man but decides to cry out to God. “If You will let me live,” he says, “I will dedicate the rest of my life to serving You.” A few moments later, Abrahms sees a bright light coming toward him. Soon he sees that it is an angel. “I am Anastasis,” the angel says to him. “Do not be afraid, I have been sent by God. Be healed, get up, and serve the Lord.”

THE COOPER’S CHRISTMAS PARTY

Christmas Eve has finally arrived! The war has ended and the Cooper family is having their first Christmas party in five years. Emma and Peter, the Cooper family’s eldest children, are thrilled to finally have a Christmas party again. Guests arrive and gifts are exchanged for the first time in what feels like forever. Suddenly, a mysterious figure arrives who turns out to be none other than their favorite Uncle Abrahms!

The party continues and the children dazzle their parents with a wartime March. Uncle Abrahms is eager to share the true meaning of Christmas with the family. In the middle of the celebration, he runs to open his big Bible and turns to the story of the First Christmas. He begins to read about the God who created the heavens, the earth, and everything in it. The story comes to an abrupt ending when Emma looks up at Uncle Abrahms, her eyes full of questions. “Uncle Abrahms, how can that be real? It sounds like a fairytale.”

The party continues and all the guests enjoy gifts, food, dancing and their first taste of exotic tropical oranges which Abrahms brings for Emma and Peter.

That night as Emma is going to bed, she notices that Uncle Abrams is still downstairs. He is reading that same big book. Emma sits down next to him and asks that he explain more about God, and how the story of the first Christmas could be real. Before she can hear the full story, Mr. Cooper interrupts and sends Emma off to bed.

THE BATTLE OF GOOD AND EVIL

At midnight Emma is awakened by a sound in the living room. She sneaks out of her bed, tiptoes downstairs, and opens the big book. Turning through the pages, Emma contemplates the story about Mary and Joseph and the humble birth of their child. All of a sudden she notices that the familiar shapes of her living room are fading away. She is enveloped in a terrifying scene. It seems as if the war has found its way into the Cooper home… but has it?

Emma finally spots a familiar face and rushes toward Uncle Abrahms. “Where am I? What is happening?” Uncle Abrahms responds tenderly but with urgency. “Remember the story I told you, about how Jesus came into the world as a human to save all of us? This battle is showing you how evil the world would be without God’s love.” A striking General appears and Uncle Abrahms protects Emma as she continues to grapple with her Uncle’s words. She grabs the big book and is surprised by the weight of God’s Word - it knocks the General and the soldiers off their feet and ends the battle. Finally, as the smoke clears, she looks up again at her Uncle. “I just want to go home.” She says. “I know this has been scary, but I want you to try to understand how God’s love has changed the world. Will you go on a journey with me?” Uncle Abrahms responds. Emma smiles at Uncle Abrahms’ kind expression. “Okay, I will do it for you Uncle Abrahms. Let’s go on this journey together.”

The angel Anastasis appears, and though Emma is shocked to see a real angel, she is captivated by the beauty and love exuding from the beautiful angel. Anastasis takes them to a hot air balloon and sends them on a journey to visit people from every nation who have been transformed by God’s love for them.

THE JOURNEY THROUGH THE WORLD

As the curtain opens on the second act, Anastasis guides Emma and Uncle Abrahms through the heavens, surrounded by angels. They see tiny cherubs creating a vision of Maria, Yosef, the baby Jesus, and the Magi who have traveled from all across the world to bring gifts to the newborn King.

Only a few moments later, Anastasis reveals Maria and Yosef, who have come to meet Emma and share about the incredible night that Jesus came to earth. Uncle Abrahms and Emma travel all over the world. They see followers of Jesus in so many places - all dancing with an extraordinary sense of joy and freedom. Women set free, marriages renewed, children rescued and empires transformed by the peace and love of ordinary people. Emma watches with curiosity as citizens of each country explain how much they love Jesus. Slowly, Emma begins to understand what Uncle Abrahms had meant. The influence of Jesus’ gift of love could be seen throughout the whole world. What an incredible impact this holy baby has made in the lives of so many people. This is not just a fairytale. This is real!

Emma joins the joyful celebration, but soon the scene fades, and she finds that she is back in her own home. It’s Christmas morning. Emma races over to her parents, telling them all about her dream. Jesus is real, she says, and the story of Christmas is so much more than a fairytale! Uncle Abrahms and Anastasis quietly observe, with a twinkle in their eyes, watching as Emma shares the true story of Christmas with her family. Surely, this is the best Christmas the Cooper family has ever had.

CONCEPT, CHOREOGRAPHY, & LIGHTING DESIGN

Julianna Rubio Slager, Ballet 5:8 Artistic Director with staging assistance from Miranda Rubio, Samuel Opsal, Sarah Clarke & Valerie Linsner

COSTUMES | Lorianne Robertson, Head of Wardrobe

Melanie Rodrigues, School of Ballet 5:8 Wardrobe Coordinator with special thanks to Angelina Dickinson, Spring Arbor University, Bonnie Jackson & (in loving memory of) John Magnus

PROJECTIONS | Sarah L. Freeman

SETS & PROPS | Sarah L. Freeman & Jeremy Slager with special thanks to Sophia Snider & the School of Ballet 5:8 volunteers

MUSIC | Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky

GUIDE TO THE CAST LIST

Cast A| December 17 (7PM)

Cast B | December 17 (2PM), December 18 Students in the Children’s Division are listed by performance date in front of their names

ACT I (IN ORDER OF APPERANCE)

PROLOGUE

Anastasis Rachel Walker^

Uncle Abrahms Christian English Christmas Joy Dec 17 2PM | Allison Bulow, Mya Falletti, Haley Linhart, Lily Molitor, Jaiden Palizay, Rosalie Renardo, Rylee Richards, Amelie Rivadeneira, Emaline Schuler Jacob Slager, Ryann Smith, Madeline Volpe Dec 17 7PM | Abigail Akindunbi, Sophia Horodskyi, Khloe Looney, Elija Mackeviciute

Dec 18 | Mikayla DeRuiter, Lydia Goossen, Illyria Hauner, Neia Hinkle, Thomas Khouchaba, Xylia Quinonez, Londyn Washington, Eketi Wilson

THE COOPER’S CHRISMTAS PARTY

Maids Alaina Garrigan, Carle Scurlock, Eleanor Zepeda

Emma Cooper Amelia Nardi

Peter Cooper Joseph DeFriese

Ballet 5:8 Guest Artists are noted with a “^” Ballet 5:8 Community Cast members are notes with a “*”

Mr. & Mrs. Cooper Jeremy Slager* & Elizabeth Marlin^

The General Myrnyi Alexander

Grandmother & Grandfather Lilly Howerton & Noah Fenn*

Madam D’Fleur Shelby Smith

Party Parents Avery Bartley & John Szwast, McKenna Palmer & Samuel Opsal^, Rachel Quick & Ben Merrill*

Emma’s Friends Mia Fontanetta, Erin Ehlers, Kassi Onufrock, Gabby Wang

Party Girls Zuri Chaplin, Audrey Kreider, Coral Krieger, Grace Merrill, Lucie Peddycoart, Emma Shepard

Party Boys Genali Algenio, Tristan Baity, MacKenzie Bolton, Claire DeMik, Victoria Hughes, Judah Slager

Petite Party Girls Dec 17 2PM | Philomena Eberhardt, Savannah Gerwing, Elena Neff, Cora Novak, Elena Rogge, Charlotte Stoub Dec 17 7PM | Adeline Balthazor, Hailey Boice, Mira Lobash, Jemma Palizay, Grace Pearson, Lucia Renardo, Juliana Salman, Gwendolyn Sanderson, Stella Sharma Dec 18 | Aristea Apostolopoulos, Bonnie Dahl, Elizabeth Belle Estrada, Penny Fountas, Kennedy Gross, Vera Hulford, Ava Revers, Ryleigh Scott, Grace Zahara

BATTLE OF GOOD AND EVIL

Soldiers of the Day Lillian Anderson, Amanda Baity, Brooke Ehlers, Lydia Harry, Mia Meinkow, Ginevra Proserpio

Soldiers of the Night Clare Domke, Madelyn Latsch, Grace Merrill, Elena Metts, Audrey Pearson, Reagan Pienias, Maya Rogge, Aubree Smulders

The Red Cross Genali Algenio, MacKenzie Bolton, Zuri Chaplin, Annabelle Rosenthal

ANGELS

Snow Angels Darissy Matias, Nadia Sears, Iris VanWieren with Grace Blando, Lilianne Harding, Ananya Moses, Ashley Reed, Kate Reese, Morgan Rice, April Sakell, Autumn Stull, Lizzie Tindall, Mary Lynn Tung, Sophia Yoo

Seraphim Gianna Chikerotis, Hope Jensen

Cherubim Claire DeMik, Victoria Hughes, Coral Krieger, Lucie Peddycoart

CASTING (CONTINUED) BEYOND THE NUTCRACKER

ACT II

THE JOURNEY THROUGH THE WORLD

Nativity Angels Dec 17 2PM | Ava Beard, Sonny Rose Coco, Liliana Hochbaum, Hensley Lowe, Lucia Martinez, Ophelia Milcarek, Ellie Rivadeneira, Zara Rivadeneira, Raegan Rosenthal

Dec 17 7PM | Scarlette Bosi, Elsie Buikema, Macy Colvin, Coraline Rose Gannon, Chelsie Gutierrez, Grace Jengic, Anna Horodskyi, Michaela Murray, Zoe Thomas

Dec 18 | Josie Cronin, Emma Rose David, Victoria Hepp, Liv Forlenzo, Lucille Kieffer, Cosette Pizzurro, Kira Tokarz, Charlotte Werner, Magi Dec 17 2PM | Frances Fiske, Violet Szklarz, Aurora Slager

Shepherds, Mary, and Joseph Dec 17 2PM | Amadeus Coduti (Joseph), Kalena Dapkus, Eleanor DeBias (Mary), Camila Hamer, Isabel Hamm, Eva Kot, Olivia Realengo Dec 17 7PM | Harrison Bosi, Robert Buikema, Aleksei Donahue, Genevieve Insalaco (Mary)

Dec 18 | Naima Bwanhot (Mary), Zoie Jones, Cecilia McGowan, Brielle Thompson Maria Caedence Sajdowitz^

Yosef James Wainwright^

Spain Cast A | Kate Reese Cast B | Mary Lynn Tung with Amanda Baity, Averey Bartley, Brooke Ehlers, Alaina Garrigan, Ginevra Proserpio, Kassi Onufrock, Carle Scurlock, Shelby Smith

Iraq Cast A |Lilianne Harding Cast B | Nadia Sears

China Autumn Stull & Sophia Yoo

Russia Cast A | April Sakell Cast B | Grace Blando with Audrey Kreider, Maya Rogge and Clare Domke, Elena Metts, Audrey Pearson, Reagan Pienias, Emma Shepard, Aubree Smulders

America Pas de Deux | John Szwast, Morgan Rice with Lillian Anderson, Gianna Chikerotis, Erin Ehlers, Mia Fontanetta, Lydia Harry, Hope Jensen, Mia Meinkow, Gabby Wang, Eleanor Zepeda

Hungary Diem Stoub with Katja Aguilar, Tristan Baity, Evelyn Evenhouse, Johanna Laud, Mariam Medernach, Greta Merrill, Cadence Novak, Cailynn Novak, Chloe Novak, Judah Slager

France Grace Blando & Ashley Reed with Darissy Matias, April Sakell, Lizzie Tindall, Iris VanWieren

South Africa South African Princess | Bethany Park

Elephant Trainer | Madelyn Latsch

Elephant Trainer’s Aprentice | Coral Krieger

South African Children |Elise Bonilla, Angela Gutierrez, Arthur-Edward Isao Hahn, Virginia-Jane Sayaka Hahn, Leah Khouchaba, Mackenzie Rosenthal, Madelyn Shepard, Alexandria Yngson, Evelyn Young

England Marissa Woo with Joseph DeFriese and Lilianne Harding, Christian English and Lizzie Tindall, John Szwast and Darissy Matias and Ananya Moses, McKenna Palmer, Rachel Quick, Ashley Reed, Morgan Rice, April Sakell, Nadia Sears, Autumn Stull, Iris VanWieren

FINALE

BareFace by Ballet 5:8 Artistic

Julianna Rubio Slager is a full-length and daring new story ballet reimagining the classic myth of Cupid and Psyche distinctively told from a female perspective. BareFace ambitiously places female athlete artists in all leading roles. BareFace presents a haunting mirror to the human soul as it lays bare the elements of love, jealousy and what it means to be beautiful.

STUDIO SPONSORS

Robert & Wanda Bowman

Miss Suzy Jillson

Morin Family EliteScience.net Dana Hodge King

DANCEMAKERS CIRCLE

Special thanks to the highlighted Dancemakers Circle members, who give monthly and are sustaining partners!

BENEFACTOR CIRCLE ($10,000+)

Robert & Wanda Bowman

Dana Hodge King Illinois Arts Council Agency Olivier & Naomi Morin Suzy Jillson

DIRECTOR CIRCLE ($6,000+)

Anonymous (2) Kathleen & Mark Blando Eric & Eve Watts

CHOREOGRAPHER

CIRCLE ($1,200+)

Anonymous (6)

Anonymous (3)

Tim & Nancy Botts

Ting Ting & Jim Branit

Stephanie Chinn Greg & Carrie Clarke

Fawn & James Duncan

Ian & Abi Gardner

Ruth Gray Linda Jillson

Matthew & Frieda Linsner

Stephanie & John Marlin Dan & Dana Meinkow

Karina Mora-Metts Mrs. Fields/Cheesecake

Factory David & Trudy Nye |

In honor of Kayla Kowach Open Window Theatre

Dolores Rubio

Reuben & Kathleen Rubio

Laura Slager

Patrick & Denise Pienias

Charles C Pringle

School of Ballet 5:8 Families

In memory of Arlene Moellendorf

Melissa & Del Tackett

Joshua Tjia Tara Torkelson

ARTIST CIRCLE ($720+)

Anonymous (1)

Anonymous (2)

Armstrong Ceiling Solutions

Bruce Broberg CD’s & ME, INC.

Sharon Flynn

Jennifer & TIm Kowach

Mitch & Misty Lown

Pittco Architectural Metals

Dale & Mary Alice Smith

In memory of Patricia Windel

PATRON CIRCLE

($360+)

Amazon Smile Foundation

Anonymous (1)

Anonymous (2)

Beverly Dennen Pamela Dennen

Lauren & Rey Diaz

Lori Evenhouse

A. Samuel & Virginia Gray Karyn Hecht

Pamela & William Freeman

Beverly Haas

Stan & Stephanie Harding

William H. Hobbs Family

Dr Robert Jordan

Kevin Lynch - Farmer’s

Insurance

Susan Milauskas

Tom & Ruth Opsal

Ben & Heather Merrill

More Than Just Great Dancing - Misty Lown Brian & Shawna Paterson

Elyssa Peters

Sara Peters

Mauck & Baker, LLC

Kate Reese Rimkunas Family Andrew & Lorianne

Robertson

In honor of Melanie Rodrigues

Sarah Rosenthal

In honor of Gwen & Luci

Perry & Ginger Sapp Ed & Carolyn Sarna Schantz Family

Julianna & Jeremy Slager Deana Thompson

Ken Wainwright

Leslie Willis

In memory of Patricia Windel

Tom Woodworth

ADVOCATE CIRCLE ($180+)

Abt

Anonymous (4)

Anonymous (7) Beary Landscaping

Rebecca Black & John Schumacher

Pam Champlin

Lisa & Steve Chikerotis Janice Corbett

Bonnie Ehlers

Flipbook Moving Pictures

Joshua Hamlett

Michelle Harry Phyllis Hosking | In honor of Margaret Fitz Emelene Jay Jessica Kirkman

Lisa Lam Liz Lampright

Magtek Mechanical

Nick & Kylene Mitchell

Lilliann & Gerald Novak

Sharon Quick

Alejandra Rivera

Amanda Rosenthal

Amy Sakell

Scott & Carmen Shepard Andrew & Brenda Sippel

Dr. Carrie SkonyPERFORM Active Wellness + Dance Medicine

Angela Smith Diana Softcheck

John Szwast

Joyce Tam

Jarrood Tindall

Lisa Wainwright Erin Wendorf Caitlin Wuethrich Noel Young Megan Zepeda

FRIEND ($75+)

Anonymous (10) Anonymous Nell Aiken

Christina & Ryan Anderson Brian Beakley

Lawrence & Virgina Biasotto Darnetta Bolton

Connie Borg Elia Bonilla

Ann Broda | In memory of Linnea Strauss

Rita Burnett

Dr. Carolyn Burns

Angela Cardas-Meredith

Loridine Cariquitan

Lisa & Steve Chikerotis Elena Colombo Briana Colton

Aimee & Daniel Curry

Jordan Dennen Edouard DeSoto

John Dillard

Stephanie Dorais Susie Fernandes

Marc & Nikki Fontanetta David Gallagher

Lisa & Brian Garrigan Steve Gouris

Joan Greenwood Kyoko & Garrett Hahn ZaraLayna Hawksley Tobin James Susan Jiang Doyle King Gergana Khouchaba Gail Klotz

Jason & Sue Kreider Mary Lambert

Gerard Laud

Elaine & Wade Lewis

Gregory Lee Liliana Lewis

Anna Masters

John & Ana McCague Kimmi McCarrell

Brian Miller

Amanda Neeley Elissa Onufrock

Margaret Osmianski Chul Park

David & Diane Painting Mckenna Palmer

Alexander Phillips

Jamie Potts

Michael Powills Gladys Rice

Carmen Rogge

Amanda Rosenthal

Allyn Schaub

Bonnie Schwartz

Tasha Scurlock

Jay & Diane Stanwich

Joy Starr

Linda Taylor

Gerri Terry Thrivent Choice Jeff Tulk

Joy Van Patten Iris VanWieren Lisa Wilson

MATCHING GIFTS

Acxiom Boeing Caterpillar MBI Staffing Microsoft PNC Foundation The Next Level Planning Group, LLC Twilio

ADVISORY COUNCIL K.J. Johnson

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Bake Sale & Merchandise Tables

Visit the bake sale and merchandise tables in the lobby. All family members of cast members receive 15% off of merchandise.

Ema is a Mediterranean restaurant in Chicago's River North neighborhood showcasing Chef Partner CJ Jacobson’s lighter California style of cooking. At the core of the menu are spreads, dips and mezze, Mediterranean small plates. Signature dishes include Hummus, House-Made Stracciatella and Lamb & Beef Kefta Kebabs. The dining room accommodates groups up to 150 guests and may be custom configured for a family-style dinner, business lunch or cocktail reception under the ivy. call: 312-527-5586