Olney Theatre Center's 2025 Annual Gala
Featuring "Broadway Deity" and Maryland Native André De Shields!
Join Gala co-chairs Benjamin and Elissa Wolf, and José Alberto Uclés and Tom Noll on Sunday, June 1, 2025, as we honor the extraordinary career of Maryland’s own Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner André De Shields. The evening will feature Mr. De Shields himself, along with surprise guests and spectacular performances from some of our region's brightest and rising stars.
The schedule for the evening is as follows:
5:00 PM - Cocktail Reception & Silent Auction
6:00 PM - Seated Dinner
8:00 PM - Performance
9:30 PM - Dessert Reception
Recommended dress code: cocktail or semi-formal attire
Individual Sponsorship Levels and Benefits
Executive Producer - $25,000
- Up to twelve (12) guests for the cocktail reception, seated dinner, performance and post-show dessert reception
- VIP seating at the dinner
- VIP wine service at the dinner
- Premier seating for twelve (12) at the performance honoring André De Shields in the Roberts Mainstage Theatre
- Exclusive post-show meet and greet with André De Shields for up to four (4) guests
- Special gift commemorating the 2025 Gala
- Prime recognition as an Executive Producer Sponsor on all printed and digital gala event materials including: invitations, special event program, press releases and the 2025 Gala webpage
- Two (2) social media mentions recognizing your sponsorship
- Verbal recognition of Executive Producer Sponsorship at the dinner
- Listing as a 2025 Gala Executive Producer Sponsor in 2025-26 Season programs
- Twelve (12) tickets to be used during the 2025 Olney Outdoors Season
Producer - $10,000
- Up to eight (8) guests for the cocktail reception, seated dinner, performance and post-show dessert reception
- Premier seating at the dinner
- VIP wine service at the dinner
- Premier seating for eight (8) at the performance honoring André De Shields in the Roberts Mainstage Theatre
- Exclusive post-show meet and greet with André De Shields for up to two (2) guests
- Special gift commemorating the 2025 Gala
- Prime recognition as a Producer Sponsor on all printed and digital event materials including: invitations, special event program, press releases and the 2025 Gala webpage
- Two (2) social media mentions recognizing your sponsorship
- Listing as a 2025 Gala Producer Sponsor in 2025-26 Season programs
- Eight (8) tickets to be used during the 2025 Olney Outdoors Season
Director - $5,000
- Up to four (4) guests for the cocktail reception, seated dinner, performance and post-show dessert reception
- Priority seating at the dinner and at the performance honoring André De Shields in the Roberts Mainstage Theatre
- Exclusive post-show meet and greet with André De Shields for up to two (2) guests
- Special gift commemorating the 2025 Gala
- Recognition as a Director Sponsor on all printed and digital event materials including: invitations, special event program, press releases and the 2025 Gala webpage
- One (1) social media mention recognizing your sponsorship
- Listing as a 2025 Gala Director Sponsor in 2025-26 Season programs
- Four (4) tickets to be used during the 2025 Olney Outdoors Season
Advocate - $2,500
- Up to two (2) guests for the cocktail reception, seated dinner, performance and post-show dessert reception
- Choice seating at the dinner and at the performance honoring André De Shields in the Roberts Mainstage Theatre
- Special gift commemorating the 2025 Gala
- Listing as an Advocate Sponsor on all printed and digital event materials including: invitations, special event program, press releases and the 2025 Gala webpage
- Listing as a 2025 Gala Advocate Sponsor in 2025-26 Season programs
- Two (2) tickets to be used during the 2025 Olney Outdoors Season
Individual Ticket - $750
- One (1) guest for the cocktail reception, seated dinner, performance and post-show dessert reception
- Seating for one (1) at the dinner and orchestra-level seating at the performance honoring André De Shields in the Roberts Mainstage Theatre
Show-only tickets will be available at a later date.
Corporate Sponsorship Levels and Benefits
For more information on how to become a corporate sponsor, please contact Michael Mercier at mmercier@olneytheatre.org or 240-722-6046.
More About the Artist
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In a career spanning fifty-five years, André De Shields, at age 78, has distinguished himself as an unparalleled actor, activist, educator and philanthropist. As Actor Mr. De Shields’ mission is to fill intimate spaces with enormous beauty. He defines intimate spaces as the hearts of humanity. As Activist he endeavors to restore majesty, elegance and literacy to the Black Thespian toolbox. His legendary career has resulted in a treasure trove of accolades, among them Doctor of Fine Arts honoris causa from his Alma Mater, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he has founded THE ANDRÉ DE SHIELDS FUND. His other marks of esteem include having been the triple crown winner of the 2019 awards season, garnering Tony, Outer Critics Circle, Drama Desk and Grammy Awards for his universally acclaimed role as Hermes, messenger to the gods, in Hadestown. Mr. De Shields transitioned from 2022 into 2023 with a paranormal portrayal as Ben Loman in the searing production of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, starring Wendell “The Lion” Pierce. In 2024, he starred as Old Deuteronomy in the critically-acclaimed and radical reimagining of CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL at Perelman Performing Arts Center. Perennially known for his idiosyncratic, show-stopping performances in four legendary Broadway productions—The Wiz, Ain’t Misbehavin’ (Emmy Award), Play On! and The Full Monty—Mr. De Shields has achieved the status of “Broadway Deity.” www.andredeshields.com.
If you have any further questions, please contact the Advancement Team at advancement@olneytheatre.org.
