St. Bonaventure Church in Chicago

Home to the Saint Sebastian Players which was launched by two parishioners with a production of Godspell in 1982. The church-sponsored community theatre quickly became part of parish life during a decade of renewal. But St. Sebastian’s was closed in 1990 following a disastrous church fire. The theatre troupe, however, went independent and has flourished as part of the off-Loop Theatre scene, finding a home at St. Bonaventure Church. Saint Sebastian Players now is a resident company with a core membership of about 30 actors, directors, designers, technicians and administrators, although "outsiders" are welcomed as needed. Artistic leadership is collective.