Athenaeum Theatre, located on Southport Avenue in Lake View, opened in 1911 as part of the campus of St. Alphonsus Catholic Church. Conceived as a neighborhood playhouse by the original German-American parish, the historic building is the oldest continuously operating off-Loop theater in Chicago.

Stephanie Barto/Chicago Patterns

View from the hallway leading to the auditorium entrance, looking back towards the lobby.

Stephanie Barto/Chicago Patterns

The theater’s main stage set up for a contemporary circus arts performance.

Stephanie Barto/Chicago Patterns

Antique lighting control equipment in the hallway on the second floor of the theater.

Stephanie Barto/Chicago Patterns

Antique Klieglight Dyna-Beam spotlight sitting in a hallway at the theater.

Stephanie Barto/Chicago Patterns

Doors in the main auditorium.

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Athenaeum Theatre
2936 N Southport Ave