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2020 SAINTS MATCHGRANTS PROGRAM RECAP

The 2020 Saints MatchGrant Program, now in its 6th year continues to be a huge success. Saints member donations of $18,085 exceeded the original budget and were unanimously approved by the Saints Board. In this period of great need due to closed venues, eighty (80) organizations will receive $36,170, matching the donations provided by fifty-nine (59) Saints members.  As is typical, theater companies received the bulk of the donations –76.70%; followed by music venues – 11.17%; then dance companies – 2.91%; with the remainder to performing arts venues.  We salute all those who were able to donate during these critically difficult times and anxiously await the return of live performances.  The full list of donors and receiving organizations are listed here >> 2020 MatchGrants


Saints Talk
Mark Larson
October 27, 2020

  

The featured speaker was Mark Larson, author of Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater. His talk focused on the legendary St. Nicholas Theater, where the likes of David Mamet and William H Macy could be found and American Buffalo “roamed.” The Saints got their start and their name at this theater 40 years ago.
View the talk on you tube here


Saints Talk

Deb Clapp and Chris Jones

July 28, 2020

The premiere of the Saints Talk series is now available on the website. This featured Deb Clapp, head of the League of Chicago Theatres, and Chris Jones, principal critic of the Chicago Tribune, discussing the state of Chicago theater in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and what it may mean for the future. The original video ran 60+ minutes, too large to upload in one file. There are two video files available, and one audio-only file, suitable for listening as a podcast format.

You will need to download and save the file to your computer. You may then play it from that location.

 

Video Part 1

Video Part 2

Audio-only file


MEET THE BOARD


Here's a list of the 2020-2021 Board of Directors and other positions:

Officers:

  Frank Lackner – President (Usher Module Chair)

 Marvin Levin – Vice-President

Hedda Lubin – Secretary

  Marc LeClere – Treasurer

 

Other Board Members:

Ruth Johnston - Grants Administrator 
David Rothschild -  Marketing Chair
  Laurie Hillman - Webmaster
     Trudy Meltzer - Membership Chair

  Richard Scire - Publisher

Non-Board Personnel:

    Terry Kinsey - Shoppe
    Alan Pieczynski - Venue/Coordinator Liaison
Rosemary Devlin - Chair of Appeals Commission

If you've been writing to some of us, be aware that the recipients of some of the addresses may have changed, but many email programs may have "remembered" the old name, so messages might be sent to the new person but show the old name.

 

 

The Board of Directors of The Saints has passed the following statement:
To be silent is to be complicit.

One of the most powerful aspects of theater is to bring injustice center stage and cast a strong light on it, in the shared experience of audience, writers, and actors. We are currently experiencing a collective trauma and heartbreak in our society. We mourn the loss of the many Black lives that have been taken. We say their names: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery, those names being just the most recent victims of the systemic racism that has long plagued our country. We stand with the Black Lives Matter movement. We will do what we can to make our organization one that is a safe and welcoming space for all of our members and for all theater patrons. We promise to listen to the voices of the oppressed to see how we can continue growing and improving. As we look to the future, we will be here for all members of our community.

#BlackLivesMatter


Here's a message from the League of Chicago Theatres:

During this national emergency most of the Chicago area theatres have suspended operations. You will find a few shows with future performances. They hope to be back in full force soon. In the meantime if you want to support theatre in Chicago any of the following would be greatly appreciated:

  • Make a donation to the Chicago Theatre Workers Relief Fund
  • Buy a season subscription for next season to your favorite theatre.
  • Buy a ticket for a future production.
  • Make a donation in any amount to your favorite non-profit theatre.

Please stay safe and healthy and we look forward to seeing you at the theatre soon.

 


CHECK THIS OUT:
Theatre In Chicago - Streaming Shows in Chicago Due to COVID-19

Streaming shows




WELCOME TO THE SAINTS

Athenaeum                    
The Saints are volunteers for the performing arts.  At the present time our 2000+ members serve well over one hundred Chicago and suburban theater, dance and music organizations, ranging in size from storefronts to world-class theaters, from seasonal musical groups to world-trotting dance companies.

The Saints members provide help to these groups for a variety of activities including ushering at performances and in return are allowed to attend these activities and performances at no charge.  Members choose the venues and performances where they want to volunteer, as often as they like.

The Saints also awards financial grants to not-for-profit performing arts organizations located in Chicago and the surrounding area. In 2018 the Saints donated nearly $53,000 in grants to sixteen different performing arts organizations. We also matched over $15,000 of our members' donations to such organizations.
 


Victory Gardens Biograph Theatre The Saints hold General Membership Meetings several times a year.  These meetings offer members the opportunity to learn more about the organization and its affairs, meet and socialize with other members and to participate in interesting presentations given by famous personalities from the performing arts community. The Saints members also receive a twice weekly "Cyberline" via email which lists the available volunteering opportunities. Usher sign-ups are managed using the online "Usher Module" accessed on the Saints website.  

 
The Saints is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable corporation and donations to The Saints are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.
In short, The Saints allow you to be part of the vibrant Chicago arts scene and see many fine performances, all for the cost of a nominal yearly membership fee.  Join us!
  
Photos by Merle Branner and Jim Venskus
 


A MAP OF THE SAINTS VENUES

Click on the map below to see a map of our venues where we offer ushering opportunities.
 

Map of Ushering Venues
We support Lawyers for the Creative Arts.


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