About Our Event

Join us for a night of celebration, live entertainment, and a chance to help shape the next chapter of Oil Lamp Theater.

What we're celebrating:

Oil Lamp Academy: Serving 400+ students in its second year.
Mainstage: Six productions, 200+ performances, 100+ artists and designers, and 9,500+ audience members.
Our Future: Securing a long-term home at the former Ten Ninety Brewing Co.

What we're supporting:
The next chapter of Oil Lamp starts now. Gala funds support Oil Lamp’s 2027 programming and operations, including five productions in our final season in our current space, serving 600+ Academy students, and growing the team, systems, and programs that will help Oil Lamp thrive in the years ahead.

Schedule:
🗓️ Saturday, November 7, 2026
📍 Renaissance Glenview
1400 Milwaukee Ave
Glenview, IL
🥂 Champagne reception starts at 6 pm
🍽️ Dinner, program & live performances starting at 7:30 PM
🎁 Silent auction closes at 8:30 PM
💃 Music and dancing til 10 pm
🎩 Cocktail attire

Meet Our Emcee

Stephanie Rogers is the host and creator of Story Jam and Story Serenade, two acclaimed live lit, live music shows which feature diverse personal narrative storytellers and original songs echoing each story.

Steph has acted in television, theatre, commercials, and films while singing in indie rock bands and event orchestras. She is an award-winning storyteller and songwriter who has released four full albums and has performed on hundreds of stages. Several of her stories have been featured in personal narrative collections, including Story Jam’s recent anthology, “Stories From The Writing Room.”

Meet The Evening's Awardees

Guest of Honor
Kim Hiller

Guiding Light Award
Mary Hopkins - Saints Coordinator

Rob Weinstein Spirit of Oil Lamp Theater Award
Marie & Johnny Gillespie

Our Sponsors

Thanks to our Generous Sponsors & Underwriters

A Look Back At Last Year’s Gala

Here’s a look back at last year's gala: MasqueRave. Photo credit: Gosia Photography