Harris Theater’s 20th Anniversary Gala | Classic Chicago Magazine

By Judy Carmack Bross

^{At Griffin Court at the Art Institute}

From The Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance to Griffin Court at the Art Institute, where tall forsythia on dinner tables signaled Spring and images of New York City Ballet danced on the walls, guests celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the Harris Theater acknowledged once again that the Theater is the premiere home for music and dance in Chicago.

Centered around the highly anticipated return visit to Harris Theater by New York City Ballet (NYCB), under the leadership of Jonathan Strafford and Associate Director Wendy Whelan—both formerly principal dancers with NYCB who performed at the Harris 18 years ago as part of the first “Harris Theater Presents” season–the evening raised more than $1.3 million for the theater that connects diverse audiences with artists from around our City, the nation and the world.

^{New York City Ballet perform “Serenade” with photo by Kyle}

Dimun told the audience following Strafford and Whelan’s remarks: “As we honor our history and plan for the future, we could not think of a more fitting partner for the occasion than New York City Ballet. Since they helped us launch the Presents series it has presented more than 40 Midwest and Chicago premieres, and 29 commissions and co-commissioned new works.”

^{Ross Dimon with Harris Theater’s CEO Lori Dimon with Celebration Co-Chairs Peter and Shana Ellis, James F. Kinoshita, Merrillyn Kosier, Claire and Michael O’Grady}

^{Harris Theater Trustee Alexandra C. Nichols with Art Institute of Chicago Director James Rondeau. Photo by Peter Pawinski}

Co-Chairs of the evening were Shana and Peter Ellis, Merrillyn Kosier and James Kinoshita and Claire and Michael O’Grady with Caryn and King Harris and the Harris Family Foundation, Alexandra and John D. Nichols, and Abby O’Neil and Carroll Joynes as Vice-Chairs.

Kosier noted: “Extraordinary art performances like tonight as well as our work with over 30 Resident Companies simply cannot happen without a tremendous community of supporters.” Ellis related the impact the Theater’s Family Series has had on his own children’s growth as young artists.

^{Harris Theater Trustee Claire O’Grady (left), New York City Ballet Executive Director Katherine E. Brown, and Harris Theater Trustee Abby O’Neil at the Anniversary dinner at the Art Institute. Photo by Kyle Flubacker}

As part of the NYCB program featuring classical to contemporary dance, video messages from artistic leadership of celebrated partners including Akram Khan Company, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Batsheva Dance Company, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Ragamala Dance Company, and The Chicago Philharmonic told of the difference having the Harris Theater for the past 20 years has made.

^{President and CEO Lori Dimun with founder Joan W. Harris. Photo by Kyle Flubacker}

Moving video testimonials from key Harris Theater figures, including Founders Joan W. Harris, Sandra Guthman, and Sarah Solotaroff Mirkin, as well as Board Chairman Merrillyn Kosier and Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols President and CEO Endowed Chair Lori Dimun spoke to achievements.

^{Martin Luther Clark performs at Griffin Count}

Entering into Griffin Court at the Art Institute, the 375 guests were struck by the sea of yellow forsythia against the sleek modern look of the hall, the vision of Caryn Harris who worked closely with design firm HMR to complete her Spring vision.

^{John Krehbiel, Karen Gray-Krehbiel, Stephanie Field Harris, Susan Johnson, Henry Johnson}

A large-scale video installation projected onto the soaring walls of Griffin Court created by artist David Michalek and commissioned by NYCB added to the evening’s awe. Previously exhibited at New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts during NYCB’s 2023 fall and 2024 winter seasons, Slow Dancing/NYCB saw an encore, one-night-only installation presentation at Harris Theater’s event, generously supported by Brenda Shapiro.

^{Lesli Skolarus, Lili Borggren, Erica Borggren, Tiffany Mondy, Martin Luther Clark, Alaina Anderson and Zoe Williams. Photo by Kyle Flubacker}

The Celebration concluded with a surprise performance by Harris Theater Beyond the Aria series favorite, Martin Luther Clark, accompanied by the series’ Artistic Director, Craig Terry of the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Ryan Opera Center. Clark’s powerful tenor voice filled the space and brought a poignant conclusion to a memorable occasion with a captivating rendition of Irving Berlin’s Let’s Face the Music and Dance.

^{Dallas Harrell and Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell. Photo by Kyle Flubacker}

The Harris Theater kicked off the 20th Anniversary Season celebrating the vibrant community of Resident Companies that call the Theater home with Harris Fest: Music + Dance in the Park. Throughout the day, nearly 15,000 visitors experienced 27 separate performances by 19 participating Resident Companies featuring over 400 musicians and dancers in locations across Millennium Park.