College & Independent Schools
Performing Arts:
Academy Award-Winning Actor
One of Hollywood's most respected actors and producers, Michael Douglas is also a UN Messenger of Peace, champion of social and environmental causes, and advocate for human rights and nuclear non-proliferation.
Award-Winning Immersive Concert Event
Incorporated in 2002, Video Games Live™ is an award-winning immersive concert event featuring music from the most popular video games of all time.
Filmmaker & Former CEO, the Black Family Channel
Raised by a single mom on the West Side of Chicago, Townsend transcended his environment to become an actor, writer, director, comedian, producer and ultimately, the President and CEO of the Black Family Channel.
Puppeteer of Big Bird/Oscar the Grouch
Spinney has been Sesame Street's Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch since '69, and at 80 years old, he has no intention of stopping. His presentations peel away the instances in his life that inspired these characters.
Actor & Human Rights Activist
Known for his role on M*A*S*H, Mike Farrell is dedicated to protecting human rights. A spokesperson for CONCERN/America, he speaks about overlooked topics as arms control, veterans’ rights, prison reform and more.
Storyteller, Author & Family Entertainer
Called “the Mark Twain of contemporary children’s music” by Entertainment Weekly, Bill Harley is one of the best storytellers by bringing commonality and humanity through comic songs and confessional spoken works.
Film Critic
Leonard Maltin is a respected film critic and historian, perhaps best known for his annual paperback reference Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide.
Award-Winning Musical
The award-winning musical “Invisible Thread” documents the true story of Griffin Matthews, a black American who is battling to find his place in a world full of injustice and inhumanity.