Editor’s Note: This article was published in the October issue of HomeLiving Places & Spaces, a publication of The Papers Inc.

By Julie Young
Guest Author

SOUTH BEND – For nearly 70 years, the South Bend Civic Theatre has worked to create and enrich the local community through excellence, education, and equity. It is an organization that is committed to being a light to illuminate the darkness; a flame to ignite curiosity and imagination; and a beacon to guide all toward hope, unity and understanding.

“Theatre is about finding yourself whether you’re in the audience or on stage,” said Executive Director Aaron Nichols. “Theatre allows you a blank space to discover who you truly are and hopefully become the best version of who you are. It’s a rare and beautiful thing.”

Curtain Up!

The South Bend Civic Theatre was founded on Feb. 1, 1957, by Notre Dame graduates Richard Robison and Allen Powers. The two men saw community theatre as an important civic amenity not only for those who enjoyed live performances, but also aspiring thespians who needed a place in which to showcase their talents.

The curtain rose on the company’s first production, “The Rainmaker” on June 21, 1957, and over the next 12 years, the South Bend Civic theatre performed anywhere they could find an available stage. Early venues included the Oliver Hotel, the O’Laughlin auditorium at St. Mary’s College and the Morris Civic Auditorium. In 1968, board members Norma Ludwick and Bill Gooley negotiated a $1-per-year lease agreement with the city to move the company into the decommissioned Firehouse No. 6 at 701 Portage.

For the next several years, the South Bend Civic Theatre made the small-but-serviceable space a great place to see live performances, but on Nov. 11, 1984, an early morning fire broke out in the firehouse causing $70,000 worth of damage. The South Bend Civic Theatre may have been down, but it was not out as the city worked with the troupe to refurbish and remodel the Firehouse so the show could go on. The Firehouse reopened in June 1986 with a production of “Agnes of God.”

Over the next 20 years, the South Bend Civic Theatre enjoyed tremendous growth. The board was able to hire Jim Coppens as its first, full-time, salaried executive director and doubled its audience numbers. In 1998, the South Bend Civic Theatre became the seventh largest community theater in the state (moving up from 17th position.) It would eventually become the third largest in 2001.

Setting The Stage

In 2002, the South Bend Civic Theatre began a capital campaign to finance a new building and two years later, they were able to purchase the Scottish Rite Building at 403 N. Main. They completed $3.9 million in renovations on the structure and opened its 50th season at the new location with “Man of La Mancha.”

As they gear up to celebrate theatrical excellence, the South Bend Civic Theatre is finishing the 2025 season strong with “The Crucible” in the Warner Studio Nov. 7-16 , and “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” in the Wilson Auditorium Dec. 12-21. Tickets are on sale now at sbct.org.