SIT24 Host Resources - TimeLine Theatre

Thank you for your support of TimeLine and this year’s Step Into Time Gala! On this page you will find materials to assist you in promoting this year’s event including event details, communication templates, and more!

Click the links below to jump to specific content!

Event Overview – details and contact information

Tickets and Sponsorship – sponsor menu and links

Spread the Word – email and social media templates

Invite Your Guests – email template and guest management tools

Auction Outreach – wish list and email template

Volunteers – opportunities overview and email template

Event Overview:

Step Into Time: The Dawn of Soul 1958

Celebrate timeline’s unique mission by stepping back in time for an extravagant evening that raises funds vital to our work. In the same year that NASA launches, the Muppets first take the stage, Bobby Fisher becomes the youngest-ever grandmaster in chess, and Wham-O introduces the Hula Hoop—a powerful new genre of music is being created. Black pop musicians seeking to connect their art to the struggles of the Civil Rights Movement are beginning to improvise a mix of gospel, blues, R&B, and forms of jazz. It’s called SOUL, and we’ll celebrate the era that saw its dawn with the music of Sam Cooke, Etta James, Ray Charles, Dinah Washington, James Brown, and more. It will be an unforgettable night!

When:
Saturday, March 16, 2024
6:00 pm – 10:30 pm

Where:
The Ritz Carlton Chicago
160 East Pearson Street

Co-Chairs:
Bill and Penny Obenshain

Attire:
Dress to impress. Cocktail Attire. Let the era inspire you,

Tickets and Info:
https://timelinetheatre.com/step-into-time-2024/

Contacts:

For questions about ticketing, the silent auction, or raffle call or email Rosie Schultz,
773-281-8436 x126 or rosie@timelinetheatre.com
For questions on sponsorships and tickets call or email Chelsea Phillips, 773-281-8436 x116, or Chelsea@timelinetheatre.org
For any volunteer inquiries contact Leah Taylor, 773-281-8436 x118 or leah@timelinetheatre.com

Tickets and Sponsorship Menu

Table Sponsor Levels
Lead Sponsor – $25,000 – 4 Available – Table for 10; Best table in the house.
• Invitation for you and your guests to attend a pre-party toast and photo opportunity with TimeLine Leadership and company members
Honorary Chair Sponsor – $15,000 – Table for 10, Premium table location.
• Invitation for you and your guests to attend a pre-party toast and photo opportunity with TimeLine Leadership and company members
Gold Sponsor – $10,000 – Table for 10; Prime table location.
Silver Sponsor – $7,000 – Table for 10; Preferred table location.
Bronze Sponsor – $5,000 – Table for 10.

Other Sponsor Levels
Step Into Time Entertainment Sponsor – $4,000 – 1 Available
Step Into Time Cocktail Sponsor – $3,500 – 2 Available
Step Into Time Décor Sponsor – $2,500 – 1 Available

Program Ad Sponsor – $1,000 or $700 – only 4 total pages of ad space available
• Full Page Black and White Ad (5”W x 8”H) – $1,000
• Half Page Black and White Ad (5”W x 3.875”H) – $700
• Ad will appear in the Step Into Time gala program and the next TimeLine production program.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW FULL SPONSORSHIP MENU AND BENEFITS
A portion of all sponsorships are tax-deductible.

Ticket Levels
Individual Event Ticket – $500
Sponsor an Artist Ticket – $500

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE SPONSORSHIPS AND TICKETS

Spread the Word

In addition to sponsoring or purchasing tickets you can support the event by sharing the event with your network!

Instagram Template:

Don’t miss TimeLine’s biggest fundraising event of the year STEP INTO TIME: The Dawn of Soul 1958 on Saturday, March 16. I hope you’ll join me for an unforgettable evening full of performances, a silent auction and raffle, plus dinner, drinks, and dancing. Learn more and get tickets at timelinetheatre.com/step-into-time-2024/.

Click below to download graphics for Instagram:

Post

Story

Facebook Template:

Click here to download graphic for a Facebook post.

Email Template:

Dear {NAME},

I write to you as a proud {AFFILIATION} at TimeLine Theatre Company, and I am thrilled to be supporting TimeLine’s most crucial fundraising event of the year, Step Into Time; Jumpin’ Jazz and Bathtub Gin 1923.

On Saturday, March 16, 2024 we’ll welcome guests to the Ritz-Carlton Chicago to celebrate TimeLine’s mission by stepping back in time for an extravagant evening that raises funds vital to our work. This elegant evening features cocktails, dinner, and special entertainment created exclusively for the event, and culminating in a soul-inspired dance party.

For more than 26 years, TimeLine has been a leader in the Chicago theatre community, distinguished by our unique mission of exploring today’s topics through the lens of the past. Recipient of the 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, TimeLine has built a reputation for artistic excellence and sophisticated business management. The mission extends to the next generation of Chicago artists through the Living History Education Program, which has brought arts residencies to Chicago Public Schools since 2006.

I hope you will join me in supporting TimeLine Theatre this year at Step Into Time, additional information and tickets can be found here.

With gratitude,

{YOUR NAME}

TimeLine {AFFILIATION}

Click here to download an evite to attach to this email.

Invite Your Guests

Below you’ll find an email template to invite guests to sit at your table! Stay tuned for instructions on managing your guests in our new event software, Classy, and outfit inspiration.

Email Template:

Dear {NAME},

I write to you as a proud {AFFILIATION} at TimeLine Theatre Company, and I am thrilled to be supporting TimeLine’s most crucial fundraising event of the year, Step Into Time; The Dawn of Soul 1958. I would be honored to have you as my guest at this year’s event!

Please let me know if you have any questions! I hope that you can join me in supporting TimeLine!

With gratitude,

{YOUR NAME}

TimeLine {AFFILIATION}

Click here to download an evite to attach to this email.

Managing Guests In Classy:

Classy is our event management software, we’ll use this for guest management, check-in, and night of fundraising. You can use classy to update you guest information in real time using the steps below.

You will receive an email with a link to your “Group Page” from a TimeLine Staff member. Click on or copy and paste the link to visit.
Once on your page, select “Assign Ticket”.
Fill in the guest’s information and then click “Assign”
If you need to edit guest information, click the three dots in the top right corner of the guests name.
Select “Reassign” if you are replacing a guest or “Edit details” if you just need to update information.

Please update all guest information including meal selection by Friday, March 1. You can also email any guest information to Rosie Schultz, rosie@timelinetheatre.com.

Auction

Silent Auction Overview:

This year we are hoping to raise $25,000 in the silent auction. Some of the things that have been successful in the past and that we are looking for this year include:

Unique Experiences – private chefs dinners, celebrity author book clubs, behind-the-scenes experiences at Illinois Institutions
Vacations – Vacation homes or hotel stays at desirable locations
Staycations – hotel or resort stays, dining gift certificates, spa packages, museum or tour admissions
Chicago Sport Tickets – Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, Bears, or Sky
Top shelf spirits and wine
Theatre, concert, or dance tickets

Solicitation Tips:

The next page contains an email template you can use and customize to send to the parties you’d like to solicit. It helps to add a personal note about your relationship to the donor and why you’re excited to make the connection.

Be sure to include a link to our Silent Auction Donation Agreement Form, so the donor can fill out their information and the value of the prize. It’s important for them to provide this value, so we can send them an appropriate tax letter for their contribution!

We kindly request that all auction items are acquired by Friday, March 1, 2024.

Silent Auction Donation Agreement Form: https://forms.office.com/r/6ydW3kregh

For questions regarding the Silent Auction reach out to Rosie Schultz, 773-281-8436 x126 or rosie@timelinetheatre.com

Auction Prize Solicitation Email Template: Copy and Paste into your email.

Dear {NAME},

I write to you as a proud {AFFILIATION} at TimeLine Theatre Company, and I’m thrilled to be supporting TimeLine’s most crucial fundraising event of the year, Step Into Time: The Dawn of Soul 1958.

We would be honored to have the support of {COMPANY NAME} at this year’s benefit. {PERSONAL CONNECTION}. Will you consider supporting Step Into Time with a donation to our silent auction?

In appreciation for your support, we’re pleased to recognize COMPANY NAME in the event program, seen by an anticipated 300 guests, and in the program for our upcoming production of the world premiere production of Black Sunday, distributed to approximately 4,000 patrons between May 16 – June 30, 2023.

About TimeLine

For more than 26 years, TimeLine has been a leader in the Chicago theatre community, distinguished by our unique mission of exploring today’s topics through the lens of the past. Recipient of the 2016 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions, TimeLine has built a reputation for artistic excellence and sophisticated business management. The mission extends to the next generation of Chicago artists through our Living History Education Program, which brings quality arts programming to Chicago Public Schools.

Please take a few moments to review the silent auction donation form here by Friday, March 1, 2024. If you have any questions, please contact TimeLine Director of Donor Engagement, 773-281-8436 x126 or rosie@timelinetheatre.com. On behalf of everyone at TimeLine, thank you for your consideration of our request.

With gratitude,

{YOUR NAME}
TimeLine {AFFILIATION}

Volunteers

Volunteer Opportunities

We’re looking for volunteers for our biggest party of the year. Help us spread the word about volunteer opportunities or assist in set-up to help ensure it’s a spectacular success. Perfect for loves of arts admin, events, or just TimeLine in general!

Volunteer opportunities are available leading up to the event as well as day of.

Volunteer Shifts

Craft Night 1: Monday, March 4, 6pm-10pm

Craft Night 2: Monday, March 11, 6pm-10pm

Event Day Shift: Saturday, March 16, 10am-4pm

Event Evening Shift: Saturday, March 16, 4pm-11pm

Volunteer Sign-up Form

Sample Email – Co

Dear {NAME},

I write to you as a proud {AFFILIATION} at TimeLine Theatre Company, and I am thrilled to be supporting TimeLine’s most crucial fundraising event of the year, Step Into Time; The Dawn of Soul 1958. On Saturday, March 16, 2024 we’ll welcome guests to the Ritz-Carlton Chicago to celebrate TimeLine’s mission by stepping back in time for an extravagant evening that raises funds vital to our work. This elegant evening features cocktails, dinner, and special entertainment created exclusively for the event, and culminating in a soul-inspired dance party.

We’re looking for volunteers for our biggest party of the year, you can help ensure it’s a spectacular success. Perfect if you love arts admin, events, or just TimeLine in general! It’s sure to be a fun and dazzling evening! Click here to sign-up or contact Leah Talor, leah@timelinetheatre.com or 773.281.8463 x118.

Please let me know if you have any questions! I hope that you can join me in supporting TimeLine!

With gratitude,

{YOUR NAME}

{TIMELINE BOARD MEMBER/COMPANY MEMBER/SUPPORTER}