Lookingglass Theatre’s Junior Board hosted its 14th annual Madhatter’s Ball, a night filled with magic, fantasy and fundraising, at the historic Water Tower Water Works on Aug. 29. The event benefited the theatre’s education initiatives and honored two outstanding company ensemble members: David Kersnar, education department founder, and Thomas Cox, master teacher.
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Event host Kasey Foster welcomed guests to a VIP reception where Lookingglass alumni Gianna Clark and Ian Gray shared their experiences as actors and introduced honorees Kersnar and Cox. “It says in our mission ‘we want to create theatre to celebrate the human capacity to taste and smell, weep and laugh, create and destroy and wake up where we first fell, changed, charged and empowered.’ We wanted to create classroom experiences that matched that mission,” said Kersnar.
Cox spoke about the theatre’s programming, calling it the “most intensive and pervasive of any theater company in Chicago, that doesn’t just make students better actors, but makes them better human beings.” A magic act by Ricardo Rosenkranz followed the awards presentation.
This year’s event, held for the first time in the theatre’s home with 260 in attendance, had a maritime theme, and guests were encouraged to dress in their “best nautical cocktail attire.” Cherish Varley’s elaborate costume was inspired by “Pirates of the Caribbean” with two miniature ships attached to a Victorian-styled gown.
Nautical decor, provided by Nemo’s Nautique, included antique wooden ships’ wheels, fishing nets, lanterns and a reproduction cannon. A dance party on the main stage featured aerialists and acrobats. The Sideshow Theatre was transformed into a “gambling” parlor, and a silent auction offered guests the chance to win concert tickets to Janet Jackson and Ariana Grande, among other items.
The Madhatter’s “Maritime” Ball, co-chaired by Kathryn McMahon and Jameson LaMarca, raised nearly $60,000 to support the operation and expansion of the theatre company’s education and community programs.
Founded in 1988 by eight Northwestern University students, Lookingglass Theatre Company was the recipient of the 2011 Regional Theatre Tony Award, has staged 62 world premieres, received 101 Joseph Jefferson awards and nominations, and has premiered work that has been produced across the country.
Freelance writer Candace Jordan is involved with many local organizations, including some whose events she covers.
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