Student Theater and Godly Evangelization, known as S.T.A.G.E., is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Founded by Lee Ann Hotovy of St. Teresa Parish in Lincoln, the theater group has been dedicated to bringing actors and audiences closer to Christ.

Hotovy will host a reunion on Sunday, July 27, from 4 to 8 p.m. at the parish hall at Sacred Heart in Lincoln. The event will feature a video montage, photos, activities, and more.

S.T.A.G.E. began when Hotovy was homeschooling her children in the late 1990s and started organizing plays with neighboring homeschool families. In 1999, she officially launched S.T.A.G.E., open to students and adults across the Catholic community. The first official play was produced in March of that year, focusing on the story of the Incarnation.

Over the years, hundreds of children have participated in numerous S.T.A.G.E. productions held at various venues including St. Teresa Parish in Lincoln and Pius X High School in Lincoln. Hotovy has written over 20 scripts during this time.

The theater group typically produces three plays annually with music contributions from Anna Hanselmann and Melanie Kottwitz who volunteered their time for these productions.

Kottwitz shared her experience playing live keyboard for performances: “You get comfortable trusting that your fingers know what they’re doing.”

Dance choreography is also part of S.T.A.G.E.'s productions with Karrie Seeman teaching children how to perform movements synchronized with music.

Hotovy recalled an incident during a production about Joan of Arc where black paint accidentally spilled on a costume but was successfully cleaned before opening night.

S.T.A.G.E.'s new space will be located in the old school building of Sacred Heart Parish in Lincoln thanks to Msgr. Timothy Thorburn's generosity allowing remodeling into a theater and arts center set for completion by summer 2026.

Reflecting on those who supported S.T.A.G.E., Hotovy mentioned several individuals as well as photographers, videographers, seamstresses involved over the years while expressing gratitude towards her family’s support: “This wouldn’t have happened without my husband and family support.”

She acknowledged Pope John Paul II’s exhortation to artists: “May the beauty which you pass on to generations still to come be such that it will stir them to wonder!”