The 1969 Theatre

The 1969 Theatre is an upcoming 80-seat intimate black-box performance venue located in the basement of the historic former St. Mary of the Assumption school in Chicago’s Riverdale neighborhood on the Far South Side.

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Currently undergoing renovation as Phase 2 of the broader campus restoration project, the theater will breathe new artistic life into the landmark building where Pope Leo XIV (born Robert Francis Prevost) attended elementary school and graduated with the Class of 1969 — and where he served as an altar boy. The entire St. Mary of the Assumption campus, recently listed on Preservation Chicago’s 2026 Most Endangered Places, represents a rare opportunity to preserve and revitalize a significant piece of Chicago and Catholic history while creating community benefit on the Far South Side.

 

With its flexible 80-seat capacity, The 1969 Theatre is designed to deliver up-close, immersive experiences ideal for small-scale plays, one-act productions, staged readings, solo performances, cabaret and variety nights, acoustic music, spoken word events, educational workshops, and private rentals. Once Phase 2 is complete, the space will serve as a vibrant cultural hub that honors the Class of 1969 spirit of community and aspiration while celebrating South Side stories and emerging local talent.

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The project team is actively preparing for a soft opening following renovation and is seeking naming rights sponsorships, donors, and community partners to support completion and long-term operations. This unique venue offers sponsors an extraordinary chance to attach their name to a living legacy in the childhood school of the first American pope — combining historic preservation, arts programming, and positive impact in Riverdale.