Arena Stage Gala
Monday, April 28, 2025
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Event Chairs
Susan E. Carter and R. Lucia Riddle
The 2025 Arena Stage Annual Gala featured a cocktail reception, a seated dinner, award presentations, and a one-night-only performance by Tony Award winner Laura Benanti on the Fichandler Stage. The festive evening ended with dancing and late-night treats.
Beth Newburger Schwartz Award to The Honorable Eleanor Holmes Norton. Since 1991, Congresswoman Norton has represented and championed the residents of the District of Columbia. A third-generation Washingtonian, Congresswoman Norton's work for full congressional voting rights and complete democracy for the people of DC continues her lifelong commitment to human and civil rights.
Arena Stage American Voice Award to Deborah F. Rutter. Former President of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Deborah Rutter is one of the leading voices in arts administration today. As the first woman leader of the national cultural center, Rutter oversaw programming across all genres, as well as a global network of education initiatives. She expanded the Kennedy Center's programming to fully represent the diversity of art in America and introduced social impact and wellness programs across communities.
We were excited to welcome Tony Award winner Laura Benanti to Arena Stage for an exclusive musical performance. Benanti took Broadway by storm at the age of 18 as Maria in The Sound of Music and has subsequently starred in ten more Broadway shows, including Into the Woods, Nine, Gypsy, She Loves Me, My Fair Lady, and Steve Martin's Meteor Shower. Benanti co-starred in the hit film No Hard Feelings and guest stars in Max's The Gilded Age, Hulu's Life & Beth, and Elsbeth on CBS.
The evening was emceed by DC-favorite Felicia Curry (Broadway's In the Woods, Arena's The Age of Innocence).
All proceeds supported Arena Stage's award-winning Artistic Productions and Community Engagement Programs.
Biographies
Photos
Arena Stage Annual Gala 2025 photos by Cameron Whitman and Kevin Parisi for Cameron Whitman Photography.