
CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS GALA 2023
PLAYMAKERS LABORATORY'S CELEBRATION OF AUTHORS GALA
Introducing… a family-friendly FUN–draiser for PlayMakers Laboratory!

FRIDAY, JUNE 16
6:30PM – 10:30PM CDT
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART
1852 W 19TH ST
CHICAGO, IL 60608
- It’s both our annual gala AND a family-friendly, interactive festival!
- Silent Auction!
Games!
Food + Drinks!
Open Bar for Adult Guests!
A Photo Booth!
Tarot Reading!
Balloon Animals with Clarke Newton!
Puppet Crafting with Chio Carera & Jake Cox!
And of course, LIVE performances of stories written by our students for the 2022/23 School Year!
- Special Guest: Emeritus Company Member, Christina Anthony will be honored with our Inaugural PlayMaker of the Year Award for her work in supporting youth voices through her national platform. Most recently, Anthony was a series regular on ABC’s Mix-ish and starred opposite Kristen Bell in the Netflix series The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window. This spring, it was announced that she will appear in NBC’s Non-Evil Twin, a sitcom pilot created and starring Amber Ruffin. Other favorites credits include The Rookie: Feds (ABC), Kenan (NBC), Key & Peele (Comedy Central), Mash Up (Comedy Central), Bunk’d (Disney) and Why Women Kill (Paramount+). Christina is also an alum of the Second City e.t.c.
- Also Featuring: Muffy Fishbasket, A Chicago Drag Queen who will be holding a Drag Story performance adapted from one of PML’s past students’ stories!
- SILENT AUCTION items are ONLY available at the event, where guests can bid on items including: A Trip to Mexico with Vidanta Resorts, White Sox Tickets, Bears Tickets, A Sailing Excursion on Lake Michigan, An At-Home Dungeons & Dragons Session, An Office Chair by Steelcase, A Drag Queen story Hour with Manic Maxxie, Brand/Career Consultation with Krissy Vanderwarker, Guitar Lessons with Noah Appel, A Barbecue Gift Basket, Floral Art on Canvas!
Plus gifts from 826CHI, About Face Theatre, Actors Gym, Bubbles Academy, Chicago A Capella, The Goodman Theatre, Hector Becerra Photography, Lifeline Theatre, the Neo Futurist Theatre, Northlight Theatre, Old Town School of Folk Music, Porchlight Music Theatre, Raven Theatre, Remy Bumpo Theatre, Timeless Toys, Timeline Theatre, Writers Theatre, CIC, The Long Table, and MORE!
Can’t attend our party? We’ll miss you! Consider donating to support arts education in Chicago. Thank you!
Additional Information:
This event is a fundraiser to support PML’s outsanding creative writing programming in partnership with Chicago Public Schools. 100% of the tickets proceeds will support PML classes!
YES! This is a family-friendly event! Consider buying early bird tickets for a discounted rate!
FRIDAY, JUNE 16
6:30PM – 10:30PM CDT
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF MEXICAN ART
1852 W 19TH ST
CHICAGO, IL 60608
“I loved acting even though I am shy. [PlayMakers Laboratory] really helped me learn how not to be shy but fun and creative.”
–Kaela W., Avondale Elementary