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30th Anniversary Party

30th Anniversary Party

Thirty years ago About Face Theatre Collective was an idea “dedicated to the artistic, intellectual, and political exploration of queer lives, experiences, and histories.” Thanks to you, and thousands of people who believe in that idea, About Face continues as a nationally recognized home for new and bold performances by and about LGBTQ+ people of all ages.

While we lift up changes and we challenge injustices, we are focused on the future with you: our glorious LGBTQ+ community and allies. With nearly 100 world premieres and dozens of other productions under our belts, we know that our stories have power. Your story has power.

Please join us to celebrate our legacy and to continue to shape the future of AFT.

Get your tickets now

Hosted by Honey West

Event info

Thursday, November 7, 2024

6:00pm

Cocktail supper provided by J&L Catering

7:00pm

Awards Presentation of the Leppen Leadership Awards and introducing the Brian Goodman “Shooting Star” Awards to recognize the legacy and individuals of the About Face Youth Theatre

Cash Auction to support About Face Theatre education programs to follow (It’s a fundraiser!)

Venue West

221 N. Paulina St, Chicago, IL 60612

Complimentary parking available across the street from Venue West

Tickets

$75 per person
RSVP to secure your spot no later than October 31, 2024

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Award Recipients

2024 Leppen Leadership Award recipients

Steven Solomon
Community Impact Officer at Howard Brown Health

Slo ‘Mo
Slo 'Mo is a femme-founded and centered Chicago party project uniting LGBTQ+ people with joy generating events since 2011. Slo ‘Mo’s core team includes: Kristen Kaza (Founder,Producer, Co-Host), Tristen Winfield (Co-host), Hannah Viti/VITIGRRL (Resident DJ), Tari Rye/Icey Bby (Resident DJ), Darling Shear (Resident Performer, Choreographer), and Angelíca Grace (Resident Performer)

2024 Brian Goodman Shooting Star Awards

Tony Alvarado-Rivera
Executive Director of Chicago Freedom School

Moisés Villada
Associate Director of the University of Illinois at Chicago’s Gender and Sexuality Center.

Past Leppen Leadership Award Winners

Michael Leppen
Toni Armstrong Jr.
Gay Lesbian Straight Education Network
Joe Hollendoner
Coalition for Education on Sexual Orientation
Sara Feigenholtz
Lambda Legal
Greg Cameron
Gay Games
Chuck Hyde
Chicago Commission on Human Relations’ Advisory Council for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Issues
Eric Rosen
Center on Halsted
Tracy Baim
Windy City Media Group
Jane M. Saks
Ellen Stone Belic Institute for the Study of Women and Gender in the Arts and Media, Columbia College Chicago
Bill Greaves
Broadway Youth Center
Shannon Sullivan
Test Positive Aware Network
Mary Morten, Morten Group
Pat Ewert and Vernita Gray
Chicago House TransLife Center
Megan Carney
The LGBT Fund at The Chicago Community Trust
Emmanuel Garcia
Equality Illinois
Delia Kropp
Chicago Inclusion Project
Affinity Community Services
Precious Brady Davis
Imani Rupert Gordon
Art Johnston and Pepe Pena, Sidetrack
Renauda Riddle and Angela Barnes, Nobody’s Darling,
Sam Kirk,
Victor Salvo
Willa Taylor
Mama Gloria (in memoria)
Scott Jaburek
Anna Rangos
Ruben Castro
Sukari Stone
Nemo Serges
Kyla Norton
Sandy Nguyen
Via Haman
Angelica Grace
Micah Manternach
Sharon Pasia

Honorary Co-Chairs

Michael Leppen & Michael Maliszewski

Champions

Greg Cameron & Greg Thompson
Eileen Dordek & Chris Landgraff
Ted Grady & Ross Slotten
Michael Leppen
Bill Michel & Mark Botelho
Edmund S. Talideh & Will Roberts

Host Committee

Tracy Baim
Judge Tom Chiola (ret.)
Evette Cardona & Mona Noriega
Emmanuel Garcia
Becky Huinker & Megan Carney
Amy Hutchinson
E Patrick Johnson
Lynn Katsulis
Michael McAdams & Spencer Gartner
Bonnie Metzgar
Sharon Mylrea
Anna Rangos
John Rooney
Patrick Sheahan
Mary Morten & Willa Taylor
Emilio Williams