Join us June 13, 2024 at the Historic Morgan Manufacturing!
Want to come to the gala? Contact Theresa Markham via email at tmarkham@accessliving.org to join the wait list.
Already joining us? Here’s what to know before you go!
Date: Thursday, June 13, 2024
Place: Morgan Manufacturing at 401 N Morgan, Chicago IL, 60642
Cocktail Reception: 5:30PM
Dinner and Program: 6:30PM
Dessert Reception: 8:00PM – 9:00PM
Lead On Award Honoree: Tony Award nominated, Paralympic champion, and bilateral above-knee amputee Katy Sullivan is our honoree. She just wrapped up her leading role as the ruthless Richard III at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Exciting Auction Items: The live auction will feature amazing first-class tickets from United Airlines, a premium golf package, an “instant wine cellar” package, and an unforgettable evening with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater.
Accommodations
We will provide the following accommodations at the event:
- Personal assistants will be available to aid with food, drinks and other needs.
- Live audio narration during the program and throughout the evening.
- ASL interpreters will be on stage for the program and are available for support during the evening.
- Spanish interpreters will be available via headset devices.
- Table placement has been arranged to allow for wheelchair accommodation.
Catering
We have recorded any dietary restrictions we received. Please let the catering staff and your server know of your request once seated. Thank you!
*If you have not already requested personal accommodations or dietary needs, please email Theresa at TMarkham@AccessLiving.org to update us in advance about your dietary needs and any accommodations we can provide to ensure the 2024 Access Living Gala is extraordinary for you.
The 2024 Access Living Gala is a scent free event.
Please refrain from wearing scented products while attending the event – such as scented lotion, perfume and cologne, etc. – as they can trigger serious health issues for those with fragrance allergies. We appreciate your cooperation and consideration in making the 2024 Access Living Gala accessible for all members of our community.
A Sensory Retreat will be available.
This is a safe place to be removed from overwhelming sensory stimuli such as sound, light, touch and movement. The sensory room is located on the mezzanine level.
Attire
Business or cocktail attire. Complimentary coat/bag check available.
How to get there
Please note: Festivals, construction, street closures, NASCAR, etc. are all competing for street traffic. Plan for delays and allow plenty of extra travel time.
Driving/Rideshare
We will have limited valet at the venue on the evening of the Gala for $25. Valet can accept credit cards, but cash is preferred and greatly appreciated.
SpotHero or other paid parking apps are recommended, as street parking is metered and very limited.
*Rideshare service is recommended and can drop attendees directly at the entrance and can access the entrance for pick up afterward.
Paratransit Drop-Off
Paratransit and Medicar vehicles will have access to bring guests directly to the Morgan Manufacturing entrance via the driving lane that borders the building parking lot.
Public Transit
Via public transportation, the #8 (Halsted) bus stop at Milwaukee/Grand, the Grand Blue Line stop, or the Morgan Pink/Green line stop are all less than a 10-minute walk from the venue.
Bicycling
There is space for approximately 10 bicycles to lock at the venue. Please ask the valet for directions to the bike lock up.
COVID-19 Protocols
Morgan Manufacturing is an indoor event space and the 2024 Access Living Gala will be indoors in a large former manufacturing facility. Masking is not required, but anyone who’d like to wear a mask to the Access Living gala is welcome and encouraged to do so.
Please do not attend if you have any symptoms or recent exposure to a COVID-positive individual.
Please email Theresa at TMarkham@AccessLiving.org if you have any additional questions.
Event Schedule
Thursday, June 13, 2024
Morgan Manufacturing | 401 N. Morgan, Chicago
Cocktail Reception: 5:30PM | Dinner & Program: 6:30-9:00PM
Dress: Business/Cocktail Attire
Meet the Honoree
Katy Sullivan
Katy Sullivan is an award-winning actress who originated the role of Ani in the Pulitzer Prize winning play Cost of Living, which made it’s Broadway premiere October 2022. Her performance won her Tony, 2 Drama League, Outer Critics Circle, Lucille Lortel Award nominations along with a Theatre World and an Ovation Award.
Some of her other favorite stage experiences are Hedda Gabler, Lady Windermere’s Fan, Finish Line: a Documentary play about the 2013 Boston Marathon, A Piece of My Heart, Steel Magnolias, and The Long Red Road directed by Philip Seymour Hoffman. Katy recently broke a glass ceiling when she became the first disabled woman to tackle one of Shakespeare’s greatest villains when she played Richard III at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre.
On television, she was most recently seen as the nosy police dispatcher, Esther, on the reboot of Showtime’s Dexter: New Blood. Her other television credits include Station 19 (ABC), NCIS: New Orleans (CBS), My Name is Earl (NBC), Legit (F/X), and Last Man Standing (ABC).
Katy is also a Paralympic athlete representing the United States internationally on the track from 2007 until 2012. She is a 4 time U.S. Champion in the 100m and set an American Record at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship opportunities are available!
To support this year’s gala, please complete the 2024 Sponsorship Web Form below and an invoice will be sent to you.
For additional questions or to discuss customized sponsorship options, please contact Barbara Khalouf, Director of Development at (312) 640-2198 or BKhalouf@accessliving.org.
Interested in joining the Gala Host Committee?
2024 Gala Sponsorship Pledge Form
Thank you to our 2024 Sponsors!
Visionary Sponsors
