The Joffrey Ballet Celebrates Romeo & Juliet Luncheon

On Monday, September 26, The Joffrey Ballet hosted an incredible cultural conversation with many of Chicago’s most powerful women and the leaders in the arts in honor of The Joffrey’s production of Romeo & Juliet, opening Thursday, October 13.

Nearly 300 guests gathered at LondonHouse’s appropriately named Juliette Grand Ballroom to celebrate Krzysztof Pastor’s critically acclaimed reimagining of Shakespeare’s star-crossed lovers in Romeo & Juliet.

The event was co-chaired by prominent Chicago business leaders and Joffrey Women’s Board members Kathleen Henson (Founder & CEO of Henson Consulting, Inc.), Jamie-Clare Colvin (Chief of Staff to the President of Ariel Investments, Mellody Hobson) and Ellie Forman (Corporate Community Relations Manager, Mesirow Financial Holdings Inc.).

The elegant, sunlit room overlooking the Chicago River was filled with conversation about the excitement for The Joffrey’s production.

A discussion between Ashley Wheater, Artistic Director of The Joffrey Ballet, Barbara Gaines, Artistic Director of Chicago Shakespeare Theater was moderated by Chicago Tribune Theatre Critic, Chris Jones and explored why Shakespeare remains relevant so many years after his work and how different art forms interpret his plays.

Guests participated in a bag pull raffle sponsored by La Perla, featuring signature scents from their collection. Fashion illustrator Kristine Steiner drew live sketches throughout the event for guests to take home.

The three co-chairs, dressed in local fashion designer Maria Pinto, invited guests to donate to help support the activities of The Joffrey and secure its prominence as one of Chicago’s cultural treasures.