mission & history
A theatre
with a mission.
Overshadowed Theatrical Productions is a Christian, faith-based nonprofit theatre in Medinah, Illinois, serving audiences throughout the Chicago suburbs with live plays, musicals, theatre education, and community programs.
overshadowed
Faith Story Community
our mission
Why Overshadowed Exists
Our mission at Overshadowed Theatrical Productions is to deliver quality, family-friendly drama at an affordable price that entertains, inspires, and promotes a Biblical message that points the way to Christ.
why “Overshadowed”?
“He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”
The meaning behind our name.
While Reba Hervas received her formal theatre training at Bob Jones University, the concept of Overshadowed Theatrical Productions was in its infancy. As a freshman in college, Reba’s Sunday School teacher impressed upon her that Christ should overshadow all facets of her life.
The teacher was so concerned that her class heard Christ, not her teaching, that she paused before each lesson to pray silently for Christ’s power to fill her with His words. Each time she prayed, someone sang or played the simple song “Overshadowed” by H. A. Ironside.
Those moments directed Reba’s heart toward Christ and fixed a conviction that would underpin her work: each act should be “to the praise of His glory.”
Overshadowed Theatrical Productions is the realization of the dream born in that college Sunday School class—a theatre Reba desires to be “overshadowed” by God’s love.
theatre with a difference
our beginning
Hear the story from Reba.
Founder & President Reba Hervas shares the vision that became Overshadowed Theatrical Productions and the heart that continues to guide it.
Reba Hervas founded Overshadowed Theatrical Productions in 2004 after seeing a need for Christian theatre in an entertainment-driven society—a place where audiences could be both blessed and entertained.
What began with that conviction has become a nonprofit theatre serving Chicago’s western suburbs through plays, musicals, theatre education, and community programs. Its original Biblical purpose remains at the center.
2004
our history
Overshadowed is founded.
Reba Hervas founded Overshadowed Theatrical Productions in 2004 after seeing a need for Christian theatre in an entertainment-driven society—a place where audiences could be both blessed and entertained.
What began with that conviction has become a nonprofit theatre serving Chicago’s western suburbs through plays, musicals, theatre education, and community programs. Its original Biblical purpose remains at the center.
What still guides us
The mission still shapes the work.
Faith
A Biblical message that points the way to Christ.
Quality
Theatre created to entertain and inspire.
Family-friendly
Drama designed to be shared across generations.
Affordability
An affordable price remains part of the mission.
overshadowed today
The story continues.
The forms may change—from a play or musical to a class, camp, or community program—but the purpose remains: quality, family-friendly theatre that entertains, inspires, and keeps its faith at the center.