Joffrey's Midsummer Celebration raises $1.9 million

Candace Jordan, Crain's Chicago Business 

July 2, 2024

The Joffrey Ballet marked the end of its 68th season with its largest fundraising event, this year titled "Midsummer Celebration." Inspired by the company's production of Midsummer Night's Dream, the gala took place June 14 at City Hall Events in the West Loop. More than 700 guests attended the event, which was hosted by Joffrey Ballet President and CEO Greg Cameron, Joffrey Board Chair Anne Kaplan and The Mary B. Galvin Artistic Director Ashley Wheater.

"Support for our event tonight makes 'Joffrey for All' possible. We are thrilled to be able to give this free performance in Millennium Park to our beloved city of Chicago and are so grateful to all who support us," said Wheater. "We look forward to sharing our 2024-25 season with the American premiere of Atonement, the Joffrey premiere of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and the world premiere of Princess and the Pea."

More than $1.9 million was raised to support "Joffrey for All," a free event held in Millennium Park on June 16, as well as other programming and outreach initiatives.

The event featured performance artists from Stage Factor dressed as nymphs, fairies and fish in tuxedos, creating a magical atmosphere. HMR Designs decorated the venue with abundant floral displays that extended into the outdoor space. Guests could pose for photos on an old-fashioned yard swing draped in wisteria or inside an oversized gilded portrait frame. Themed bites by Food for Thought were served on buffet tables adorned with flowers. One table featured a character lounging in a claw-foot bathtub wearing a laurel wreath and sipping wine.

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