Origins and Early Years
St. Nicholas Theater Company [1978], 2851 N. Halsted, by unknown.
The Saints were organized in 1980 with a mission to support performing arts
organizations in Chicago and nearby communities. Founded initially as a volunteer support group for the St.
Nicholas
Theater Company at 2856 N. Halsted — the early home of David Mamet and William H. Macy — the organization took
its name from the theater it served. The inspiration also drew from a play on the word "angel," a term for a
financial supporter of Broadway shows.
When St. Nicholas Theater closed in 1981, The Saints found a new home at the Organic
Theater Company, becoming known
informally as the Organic Saints. During this transition, membership dwindled to approximately 30
dedicated
volunteers, but the organization persisted. At the Organic, under the artistic leadership of Stuart Gordon,
members
provided ushering, mailing, and fundraising support — and reportedly even tarred the theater's roof.
A New Era of Independence
In 1984, the Saints formally became an independent organization, broadening their
services beyond a single company.
When the Organic's long-running hit E/R reduced the need for volunteers, The Saints extended their
services
to other emerging theater companies across Chicago. The League of Chicago Theatres recognized their potential,
inviting members to present Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, a workshop on volunteerism at the 1984 League
retreat.
This period coincided with an explosion in Chicago's theater scene, as dozens of
non-Equity companies came into their
own. The Saints supported this growth through services including ushering, mailings, postering, and assistance
at
fundraising events, benefits, and auditions.
Growth and Expanding Presence
The Saints experienced their greatest membership growth during the late 1980s and
early 1990s. The Chicago premiere
of Les Misérables at the Auditorium Theatre in 1988, followed by The Phantom of the Opera in 1990,
brought record crowds and demanded hundreds of volunteer ushers, boosting membership from a few hundred into
quadruple digits.
By 1990, The Saints had over 500 members. The Joseph Jefferson Committee recognized
the organization with a special
Jeff Citation for "ten years of voluntary service and support of Chicago Theatre". Today, the Saints maintain
over
1,700 members and serve nearly 200 partner arts companies and venues throughout the Chicago metropolitan area.
In 1996, the Saints opened their first permanent office. The organization's website,
www.saintschicago.org, launched
in 1999. And, in 2018, the Saints expanded their technical capabilities with online systems for scheduling,
membership, and communications.
Commitment to Volunteer and Charitable Service
The Saints' primary contribution is providing volunteer ushers for performing arts
venues — over 1,300 productions
and nearly 7,800 performances annually, requiring more than 30,000 volunteer usher assignments. Volunteers
arrive
professionally dressed, greet patrons, scan tickets, assist with programs, and ensure a welcoming experience. In
return, ushers receive a complimentary seat to the performance.
Beyond ushering, The Saints prepare mailings, assist at fundraising events, and
offer other skills as requested.
Members also serve on volunteer-led commissions supporting grant-making, membership, and social events.
The Saints' charitable services are substantial. Since their grant program's
inception, the organization has awarded
over $1.7 million in arts grants to not-for-profit performing arts organizations in the Chicago metropolitan
area.
Each year, over $130,000 is budgeted for grants to performing arts companies, supporting projects such as
costume
and set design, commissioning new works, accessibility equipment, and community engagement. Additionally, over
$25,000 is contributed annually through member Match Grants to companies that use The Saints' ushering services.
Recognition and Enduring Legacy
The Saints remain the first and only organized volunteer support group of this scale
serving a major city's diverse
performing arts community. The League of Chicago Theatres honored the organization with a 2024 Tribute Award.
Today, The Saints support nearly 200 performing arts organizations annually, ranging
from storefront theaters to
major venues, serving a vibrant and diverse arts community. As Chicago's performing arts scene continues to
grow,
The Saints remain committed to helping the scene work at its best — entertaining, amazing, inspiring, and
exciting
both their members and the audiences they serve.
For more information about The Saints and their volunteer and charitable activities,
contact info@saintschicago.org.