Icons and Innovators Gala

We invite you to join us for the Icons and Innovators Gala: Honoring Joan W. Harris. The evening, co-chaired by Ted Grady and Ross Slotten, Caryn and King Harris, and Nancy and Scott Santi, will begin with a cocktail reception and dinner on the Harris Theater’s elegantly tented rooftop, followed by a one-night-only performance in Deering McCormick Hall.

Icons and Innovators — a one-night-only celebration featuring exceptional artists affiliated with The Juilliard School and works by creators Philip Glass, Martha Graham, Marvin Hamlisch, John Williams, and more— will bring together extraordinary artists in a one-night-only tribute to Joan Harris who has been a longtime trustee of the school. Directed by Juilliard President Damian Woetzel, the performance will feature artists including legendary pianist Emanuel Ax; world-renowned violinist Midori, award-winning composers/musicians Jessie Montgomery, Nico Muhly, and Caroline Shaw; innovative violist Nadia Sirota; acclaimed choreographer and dancer Bobbi Jene Smith; rising classical pianists Derek Wang and Tony Siqi Yun; recent Juilliard graduates Kayla Mak of American Ballet Theatre and Laëtitia Hollard from The Pitt; with a special appearance by actress and playwright Anna Deavere Smith, and additional artists and current Juilliard students to be announced!

At the center of the evening is a celebration of Joan W. Harris, a founder and the namesake of the Harris Theater, whose visionary leadership and philanthropy have shaped the performing arts in Chicago and across the nation. The Icons and Innovators Gala directly supports the Harris Theater’s mission to serve as Chicago’s home for music and dance, connecting diverse audiences with outstanding artists from across the city, the nation, and the world.

Tickets to the Icons and Innovators Gala can be purchased at https://event.harristheaterchicago.org/gala, or by contacting Emma Lawrence, Board and Donor Relations Coordinator, at elawrence@harristheaterchicago.org.

Two Ways to Attend Icons and Innovators 

Gala TicketsPerformance-Only Tickets  

Thank you to our Gala Supporters!*

Event Chairs

Ted Grady and Ross Slotten / Caryn and King Harris / Nancy and Scott Santi

Honorary Chairs

Damian Woetzel, President of The Juilliard School / Lori Dimun, Alexandra C. and John D. Nichols President and CEO, Harris Theater for Music and Dance

Icons and Innovators Performance
Lead Presenting Sponsor

Irving Harris Foundation
Abby McCormick O’Neil and D. Carroll Joynes

Icon Host Committee

Harris Family Foundation, Caryn and King Harris / ITW / Abby McCormick O’Neil and D. Carroll Joynes / Alexandra C. Nichols / Nancy and Scott Santi

Innovator Circle

Abbott / Ted Grady and Ross Slotten / Joan W. Harris and Louise Frank / Northern Trust and Claire and Michael O’Grady

Visionary Benefactor

Paul S. Boulis / The Bluhm Family Foundation / The Crown Family / Shana and Peter M. Ellis and Reed Smith LLP / Jack and Sandra Guthman / Patricia A. Kenney and Gregory J. O'Leary / Marilyn F. and David J. Vitale

Catalyst Support

AAR CORP. / BMO / Liz and Matthew Connelly / Fifth Third Bank / Anne L. Kaplan / Christine and Glenn Kelly / Merrillyn J. Kosier and James F. Kinoshita / Franco La Marca / Stephanie and D'Andrae Larry / Cathy and Bill Osborn / PNC / Cari and Michael J. Sacks / William Harris Investors, Inc. / Helen Zell

Ally and Additional Donor Support

Kathryn Kovitz Arnold and Taft Law / David and Luann Blowers / Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bobins, The Robert Thomas Bobins Foundation / Mitchell Cobey and Janet Reali / Kori Coleman / Judy and Jamie Dimon / The Dimun Family / Lynn Donaldson and Cameron Avery / Janet and Craig Duchossois, in honor of Nancy Santi, Joan W. Harris, and Caryn Harris  / Eileen Dordek / Kimberly Dulac and Natalie Rosenstein / Patti Eylar and Charles Gardner, in honor of Lori Dimun / Lionel and Mary Go / Helyn D. Goldenberg and Michael N. Alper, in honor of Joan W. Harris / Stanford and Ann Dudley Goldblatt / Jeannette and Jerry Goldstone / Joan M. Hall / Hobson Lucas Family Foundation / Caroline and Charlie Huebner / Jill and Peter Litton / Gabrielle Long / Michael McStraw and Andy Flaherty / Bill Melamed and Jamey Lundblad, in honor of Ted Grady and Ross Slotten / Nancy Meyer and Marc Weiss, in honor of Joan W. Harris / Robert Michael and Kennette Benedict / Tiffany Nwosu / Jeri Presser and Charlie Seitz / D. Elizabeth Price / Carol Prins and John Hart, in honor of Joan W. Harris / Michael and Terri Reyes / Paul and Bettylu Saltzman / Michelle Seeley / Brenda Shapiro / Jai Shekhawat / Michael Smith and Taz George / Michael and Salme Harju Steinberg / Dana Shepard Treister and Michael Roy Treister / Susan and Bob Wislow / Maria Razumich-Zec, The Peninsula Chicago

*Gala Supporter List as of April 15, 2026

Due to a scheduling conflict, Phillipa Soo will be unable to perform as previously announced. Current artist listing as of March 10, 2026. All artists and programs are subject to change.