The Big Event 2025
SAVE THE DATE:
Saturday, June 7, 2025 • 5:30pm
A fabulous night in support of access to the arts!
ABOUT THE BIG EVENT
The Big Event is an all-inclusive evening featuring entertainment, art experiences, cocktails, dinner on the stage, a voice auction, award presentation, and a wrap party with music, dancing and more. Proceeds from The Big Event support the mission of the Wilson Center to be the catalyst for lifelong discovery and exploration of the arts.
Enjoy a sampling of photos from The Big Event 2024
The program featured fabulous performances by friends and partners of the center. Special thanks the following groups for making the evening so special:
Elmbrook Schools: Brookfield East High School Student Saxophone Quartet, Brookfield Central High School strings quartet and Brookfield East High School a capella singers, Genesis
Wisconsin Conservatory of Music: Faculty Brass Quartet
First Stage: Organized Chaos
Professional Singer: B.D. Greet and the Gents
Fred Astaire Dance Company
Andrea and Tony Bryant
Judy and Gary Jorgensen
19th Annual EDDY Award Honorees
Andrea and tony bryant & judy and gary jorgensen
THE EDDY AWARD – The Wilson Center EDDY Award, endowed by Murph and John Burke, is presented annually by the Wilson Center Bridge Committee to an arts organization, corporation, or individual(s) whose commitment to regional collaboration has created a higher standard of excellence in arts and education. The 19th annual EDDY award will be presented to Andrea and Tony Bryant, and Judy and Gary Jorgensen in recognition of their generous contributions to the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for the Arts.
With us from the beginning, the Jorgensens and the Bryants have both played an integral role in nourishing the roots of the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center. They are philanthropic leaders, building community and exemplifying generosity, with a special attention to providing community access to the arts. Download the press release here.
9th Annual Educational Excellence Award
Milwaukee rep.
THE EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD – The Educational Excellence Award recognizes organizational achievement of a non-profit that exemplifies collaboration in the arts. For its mission to transform lives and connect communities through inspiring performances. Community engagement, education, and training. The Wilson Center Bridge Committee has selected The Milwaukee Rep. as the 9th annual recipients of this award in recognition of the Rep’s significant contribution to theater arts education opportunities throughout Greater Milwaukee. Download the press release here.
The evening included a special recognition of Betsy Corry, former Managing Director of First Stage, for her years of leadership.
About the Bridge Committee and Awards
the Wilson Center Bridge Committee
The Bridge Committee, comprised of regional arts and community leaders, is committed to supporting the Wilson Center’s efforts to strengthen the impact of regional collaboration for the long-term viability of the arts in Southeastern Wisconsin. The history of the Bridge Committee was envisioned by Kate Wilson. “Kate Wilson’s original vision for the Bridge Committee was to bring supporters of the arts together from Waukesha County and Milwaukee County - to form a ‘bridge’ so to speak. Her boundless energy has helped the committee grow into a thriving group of community leaders, volunteers and friends,” said Andy Nunemaker, co-chair of the Bridge Committee. Andy goes on to say, “We all share in a passion for the arts and for our region. It’s such a pleasure to get together with these like-minded friends to showcase leadership in the arts, philanthropy and education!
EDDY Award
Endowed by Wilson Center supporters Kathryn Murphy Burke and John Burke, the EDDY is presented annually at the Big Event by the Wilson Center’s Bridge Committee to an arts organization, corporation, or individual(s) whose philanthropic commitment to regional collaboration has created a higher standard of excellence in arts and arts education.
Education Excellence Award
The 2024 Big Event will mark the ninth year of the Educational Excellence Award, which recognizes organizational achievement of a nonprofit that exemplifies collaboration in the arts. Past recipients of the Educational Excellence Award have included Latino Arts Inc. (2023), Florentine Opera Company (2015), First Stage (2016), Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (2017), Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra Arts in Community Education/ACE (2018), and Milwaukee Ballet and Artistic Director Michael Pink (2019), and Next Act Theater and Producing Artistic Director David Cecsarini.
Past Honorees
Past Educational Excellence Award Recipients
2015: Florentine Opera Company
2016: First Stage
2017: Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra
2018: Milwaukee Symphony Arts in Community Education
2019: Michael Pink and Milwaukee Ballet
2020/21: Milwaukee Film
2022: Next Act Theater & Producing Artistic Director David Cecsarini on behalf of Next Act Theater’s Artist Educators
2023: Latino Arts, Inc.
2024: The Milwaukee Rep, Inc.
Past EDDY Award Recipients
2005: Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
2006: Christine Harris and the National AFTA Convention
2007: Danceworks, Inc./MadHot Ballroom and Tap
2008: Marlene Doerr and SHARP Literacy
2009: Skylight Opera Theatre
2010: Marcus Corporation
2011: Creativity Works!
2012: Latino Arts Strings & Mariachi Juvenil
2013: Carlene Ziegler
2014: Marianne and Sheldon Lubar
2015: Jodi Peck
2016: Donna and Donald Baumgartner
2017: Claire and Glenn Hackmann
2018: Bud and Sue Selig
2019: Kate and Don Wilson
2020/21: Baird and Mary Ellen & Scott Stanek
2022: Kathryn Murphy Burke
2023: Keith Mardak and Mary Vendenberg
2024: Andrea and Tony Bryant & Judy and Gary Jorgensen