MADISON , NJ — The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Artistic Director, Bonnie J. Monte, and the Board of Trustees awarded The CTW Foundation of Wilmington, Delaware The Mighty Quill Award at The Theatre's 45th Anniversary Sapphire Gala, held March 31, 2007 at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park . The Mighty Quill Award was established by The Shakespeare Theatre in 2002 to honor people or organizations that have demonstrated longstanding and extraordinary championship of The Shakespeare Theatre. Since its inception, the award was presented only twice – to The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation in 2002 and to the Honorable Thomas H. Kean in 2004. Finn M. W. Caspersen, Jr., a Trustee of The CTW Foundation, accepted the award. Other Foundation Trustees include Charles W. Bower, Finn M. W. Caspersen and Robert A. Tucker.

The Shakespeare Theatre's annual gala kicked off the 2007 45 th Anniversary Season and is the largest fundraiser of the year for The Theatre. This year's gala raised $300,000 for the Theatre's artistic and education programs, including seven productions on the Main Stage -- located at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre in Madison -- one production during the summer at the Outdoor Stage -- located on the campus of the College of Saint Elizabeth in Morris Township -- and numerous education programs for students, including the nationally-recognized educational touring program Shakespeare LIVE!, as well as programs for patrons and the general public. Several sponsors supported the event, including S. Dillard and Adrienne Kirby -- Dinner Sponsor; Prudential Financial, Drew University, The Hon. Thomas H. Kean and William and Pamela Craven --Artists Sponsors; Wyeth -- Silent Auction Sponsor; and Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Schaenen, Jr. -- Program Sponsor. The event was attended by 328 guests.

Gala attendees mingled with acclaimed theatre, film and television artists and other VIPs while enjoying gourmet food and drink during a cocktail reception that also offered a silent auction of over 130 unique and one-of-a kind items, including the ability to “Spend a Day with Artistic Director Bonnie J. Monte”, and enjoy a private concert in your home with Jazz vocalist Laura Hull and “Bishop of Jazz” Rio Clemente. One gala guest went home with possibly the most wonderfully unique offering from the artists of The Shakespeare Theatre -- to have a cast of their head appear as one of 16 heads on pikes in The Shakespeare Theatre's production of Blood & Roses: Shakespeare's Henry VI . More than $85,000 was raised from silent auction bidding alone.

The auction also introduced a new season-long fundraiser called Be A Muse of Fire. In the spirit of great arts patrons of the past, Shakespeare Theatre supporters can become the personal sponsors of famous characters that appear in the eight productions of the 2007 Season. Patrons who sponsor a character at a $2,500 level – including King Henry V and King Henry VI – will meet their character after a performance, receive a copy of their character's costume sketch and have their name appear in a special Shakespearean patron box next to the cast list in the program. Character sponsorships are available at $500, $1,000, $2,000 and $2,500 levels. For information on how to sponsor a character, call the Shakespeare Theatre development office at 973-408-3761.

After the cocktail reception and auction, guests retreated to dinner in The Park Avenue Club's beautiful South Pavilion, and enjoyed a renowned cabaret show featuring “Sapphire Hosts” David Conrad (CBS TV's Ghost Whisperer ), Broadway stars Robert Cuccioli and Laila Robins, Peri Gilpin (TV's Fraiser ), and Tamara Tunie (NBC TV's Law and Order: SVU ) plus many other luminaries. The evening concluded with a rousing rendition of “Brush Up Your Shakespeare” by The Shakespeare Theatre's Board of Trustees and cabaret artists.

Kathleen B. Clingan of Summit , and Pamela P. Hirsch of Basking Ridge, both members of The Shakespeare Theatre Board of Trustees, served as Gala co-chairs. The Gala Committee members included Catherine M. Bergh of Bernardsville, Jacqueline E. Brevard of Westfield, Lynn C. Boyajian of New Vernon, Joy Cox of Summit, Pamela F. Craven of Basking Ridge, Margaret L. Domber of Kinnelon, Ann Drzik of Mendham, Michele E. Fabrizio of Short Hills, Jane Fershing of Watchung, Heidi P. Gammon of Chester, Judy Gow of Summit, Richard B. McGlynn of Far Hills, Mary O'Malley of Chatham, Janet T. Petrillo of Basking Ridge, Robin Rowland of Short Hills, Constance Carothers Silverman of Bernardsville and Holly Walker of Morristown.

The Shakespeare Theatre's season begins May 1 with Shakespeare's Henry V . The season also includes Shakespeare's Measure for Measure , A Midsummer Night's Dream and Blood & Roses: Shakespeare's Henry VI ; the comedies The Play's The Thing by Ferenc Molnar and The Bald Soprano by Eugene Ionesco; the Pulitzer Prize winning The Time of Your Life ; and the family adventure The Blue Bird . For information about the season call 973-408-5600 or visit www.ShakespeareNJ.org.

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The acclaimed Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey is an independent, professional theatre company located on the Drew University campus. One of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving 100,000 adults and children annually, it is New Jersey 's only professional theatre company dedicated solely to Shakespeare's canon and other world classics. Through its distinguished productions and education programs, the company strives to illuminate the universal and lasting relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.

The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's programs are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as funds from the National Endowment for the Arts.  Additional major support is received from The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the F. M. Kirby Foundation, The Edward T. Cone Foundation, The Shubert Foundation and Drew University , as well as contributions from numerous corporations, foundations, government agencies and individuals.  American Airlines is the official airline of The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. Crystal Rock Water is the company's official water provider. Barefoot Wine is the official wine provider.