ROOTED & RISING
Hudson Valley Shakespeare's Annual Gala
Saturday October 17, 5:00-9:00pm
HONORING
Chris Davis
Recipient of the Maritt and Lars Kulleseid Award
Jeanne Gang
For Extraordinary Contributions to the Arts
Join us for Hudson Valley Shakespeare's Annual Gala on Saturday, October 17 honoring visionary philanthropist, Chris Davis, whose incredible gift of 98 acres provided HVS with a permanent home, and renowned architect Jeanne Gang, the founding principal of Studio Gang, who designed the Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center.
Guests will gather at the Samuel H. Scripps Theater where they will enjoy cocktails, seasonal bites, surprise performances, music, and more!
Act 1:
Join Us for Cocktails and Hors d’Oeuvres
Act 2:
Samuel H. Scripps Theater Award Presentation, Performance, and Benefit Paddle Raise
Intermission:
Surprise Presentation and Processional on the Lawn
Act 3:
Complete the Evening in the Theater with Seasonal Culinary Stations, Dessert and Music
RECIPIENT OF THE MARIT AND LARS KULLESEID AWARD
CHRISTOPER DAVIS
Christopher Davis is Chairman of Davis Advisors, an independent investment management firm founded in 1969 with $29 billion in AUM. Chris joined Davis Advisors in 1989 and has over three decades of experience in investment management and securities research. He has been previously recognized as a Morningstar Manager of the Year. Chris is a Board of Director at Graham Holdings, Inc., The Coca-Cola Company and Berkshire Hathaway.
As a philanthropist, Chris’ reach extends from institutions in New York to the Hudson Valley, and beyond. As an enduring testament to his love for the Hudson Highlands, its history, art, communities, and natural beauty, Chris has passionately supported numerous regional and local non-profit institutions to advance conservation and create public access to the area’s iconic landscapes, including the Hudson Valley Shakespeare campus. Perhaps the most tangible example of this commitment is his visionary leadership of the Hudson Highlands Fjord Trail, where he serves as Chair of the Board of Directors. Chris is also a member of the Board of Directors of the Hudson Highlands Land Trust.
EXTRAORDINARY CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE ARTS
JEANNE GANG, FAIA (STUDIO GANG)
Architect Jeanne Gang is the founding partner of international architecture and urban design practice Studio Gang. Known for a distinctive design approach that expands beyond architecture’s conventional boundaries, she creates striking places that strengthen connections between people, their communities, and nature. Her diverse portfolio across the Americas and Europe includes the Richard Gilder Center for Science, Education, and Innovation at the American Museum of Natural History in New York; a new United States Embassy in Brazil; and an expansion of the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock. A MacArthur Fellow and the Kajima Professor in Practice of Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design, Jeanne has been named one of TIME Magazine’s most influential people in the world.
Tickets & Sponsorship Packages
Vice-Chair $50,000
Gala Ticket Package for 12 Premium Seats, Recognition from the stage during the program, Name listed on the Gala webpage, event signage, and in the program.
Benefactor $20,000
Gala Ticket Package for 8 Premium Seats, Name included in the Gala webpage, and in the program
Sustainer $10,000
Gala Ticket Package for 6 Premium Seats, Name included in the Gala webpage and program
Committee $5,000
Gala Ticket Package for 4 Premium Seats, Name included on Gala webpage and in the program
Company of Friends $2,500
Preferred Seating for 2
Friend $500
Gala Ticket for 1
RSVP by October 2, 2026
Questions?
Contact, Martha Pearson, Director of Development at mpearson@hvshakespeare.org
Gala Supporters
(list in formation)
Gala Sponsors
Consigli Construction Co.
About the Work
Hudson Valley Credit Union
Co-Chair
Russell Wiese and Megan Young Wiese
Vice-Chairs
Pepper Evans and Bob Lieber
Frederic C. Rich
Patricia King
Daniel J. Kramer and Judith Mogul
Chip Loewenson and Susan Brune
Robin and Ralph Arditi
Laura Jean Wilson and Mark Menting
Champions
Heather and Derrick Hopkins
Michael Emerson and Carrie Preston
Marie Fabian and Genie Cesar-Fabian
Christine Wong Lent and Paul Lent
James and Kate Stanford
Byron and Siew Thye Stinson
Ned Whitney and Martha Howell
Committee
Mary Elizabeth and Jeffrey Bunzel
John Gates
Anita and Bob Jacobson
Michael and Kate Lombardi
Sarena Straus and James Gary
Wesley Weissberg and David Goldberg