2016 Folger Gala
About the evening
Monday, April 18, 2016 Celebrating 400 Years of Shakespeare
The Folger Shakespeare Library's 2016 Gala was a magnificent success! With the generosity of our sponsors, guests, and donors, we raised more than $400,000 to benefit all areas of the Folger Shakespeare Library, the ultimate resource for exploring Shakespeare and his world!
We are grateful to our Gala Co-Chairs, May Liang and Jim Lintott, as well as our Gala Committee. Their dedication and passion helped make this Gala a most wonderful tribute to Shakespeare's life and his legacy as we commemorated the 400th anniversary of his death. We also extend our thanks to our Honorary Co-Chairs, the British Ambassador and Lady Darroch.
Nearly 300 guests joined us for this festive occasion.The weather was ideal for an outdoor cocktail reception, and the view of the Capitol provided a breathtaking backdrop. In our Elizabethan Theatre, our cast of talented performers entertained us with scenes and songs. "Words, words, words," directed by Robert Richmond, featured the talents of Wendell Pierce, as well as Zach Appelman, Christylez Bacon, Louis Butelli, Richard Clifford, Tom Story, Rachel Zampelli, and by video, Simon Russell Beale. The performance included everything from a hip-hop rendition of a Shakespeare sonnet by Christylez Bacon to a stirring performance of Hamlet’s famous “To be or not to be” speech by Simon Russell Beale. A delectable dinner in the stunning Reading Rooms was the perfect finish to a fantastic evening.
If you were unable to attend, we invite you to read more about the beautiful evening at "The Washington Post".
Committee and Honorary Committee
Honorary co-chairs
The British Ambassador and Lady Darroch
Gala chairs
May Liang and James Lintott
2016 Folger Gala committee
Jarrett and Nora Arp
Louis and Bonnie Cohen
Phil Deutch and Marne Levine
Lisa Fuentes and Thomas M. Cohen
Susan Sachs Goldman
Maxine Isaacs
Ken Ludwig and Adrienne George
The Honorable John D. Macomber
Darcy and Andrew Nussbaum
Herman J. Obermayer
Gail Kern Paster
Mr. and Mrs. B. Francis Saul II
Tessa van der Willigen
Wonder of Will Honorary committee
Congressman Brad Ashford
Senator Ben Cardin
Congressman Emanuel Cleaver
Senator Thad Cochran
Congressman Tom Cole
Senator Susan Collins
Congressman John K. Delaney
Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro
Senator Michael B. Enzi
Senator Deb Fischer
Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
Congressman Rául Grijalva
Senator Orrin G. Hatch
Senator Angus S. King, Jr.
Senator Amy Klobuchar
Congressman John Lewis
Congressman David Loebsack
Congresswoman Cynthia M. Lummis
Congresswoman Doris Matsui
Congresswoman Betty McCollum
Congressman Jim McDermott
Congressman Richard M. Nolan
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree
Congressman Joseph R. Pitts
Senator Jack Reed
Senator Harry Reid
Senator Charles E. Schumer
Senator Jeanne Shaheen
Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter
Senator Roger F. Wicker
Congressman Don Young
Sponsors
Anniversary Sponsors
May Liang and James Lintott
Lead Sponsors
Sterling Foundation Management ● Mark Pigott KBE and Cindy Pigott
Prime Sponsors
Susan Sachs Goldman ● Carol and Gene Ludwig ● The Honorable John D. Macomber
Major Sponsors
Lee and Juliet Folger Fund ● William and Louisa Newlin ● Herman J. Obermayer ● Loren and Frances Rothschild ● Mr. and Mrs. B. Francis Saul II
Sponsors
AARP ● Jarrett and Nora Arp ● Louis and Bonnie Cohen ● Neal and Florence Cohen ● Lisa Fuentes and Thomas M. Cohen ● KieranTimberlake ● Darcy and Andrew Nussbuam ● Gail Kern Paster ● Scott and Liz Vance
Patrons
The Lord Browne of Madingley ● Susan and Dixon Butler ● Twiss and Patrick Butler ● Heather and Dick Cass ● Phil Deutch and Marne Levine ● Peter and Rose Edwards ● David and Margaret Gardner ● Wyatt R. and Susan N. Haskell ● Holland & Knight LLP ● Maxine Isaacs ● Richard H. Levy and Lorraine Gallard ● Ken Ludwig and Adrienne George ● Leander and Stephanie McCormick-Goodhart ● John and Connie McGuire ● Roger and Robin Millay ● The Mosaic Foundation (of R. and P. Heydon) ● Carl and Undine Nash ● Melanie and Larry Nussdorf ● Timothy and Linda O'Neill ● Craig Pascal and Victor Shargai ● Lola Reinsch ● Stuart and Mimi Rose ● Ayanna Thompson ● Tessa van der Willigen and Jonathan Walters ● Nyla and Gerry Witmore