The Shakespeare Theatre Company hosts its 20th annual gala, honoring the company's core members with the William Shakespeare Award for Classical Theatre (the Will Award) in recognition of their distinguished work in classical theater.

The core company members include Emery Battis, Avery Brooks, Helen Carey, Franchelle Stewart Dorn, Edward Gero, Philip Goodwin, Tana Hicken, Floyd King, Claire Lautier, Andrew Long, Patrick Page, Nancy Robinette, David Sabin, Ted van Griethuysen and Geraint Wyn Davies. Together with Artistic Director Michael Kahn, these actors are responsible for making the Shakespeare Theatre Company America 's leading force in the presentation and preservation of classic theatre. Since 1986, these artists have brought to vibrant life groundbreaking, thought-provoking and eminently accessible classic theatre in a uniquely American style.

The evening's events will begin with a cocktail reception and receiving line, followed by dinner, and then the award ceremony and program.