Catholic Association of Performing Arts


The British Catholic Stage Guild, the main organisation for Catholics in British entertainment, was founded in 1911. It was founded by Mgr Robert Hugh Benson. The aim of the Guild, as laid out in the 1931 Year Book, was "to establish and encourage spiritual, artistic and social intercourse among Catholics connected with the theatrical and allied professions". The Guild was renamed in 2009 and is now known as the Catholic Association of Performing Arts. The Guild is closely associated with Corpus Christi Catholic Church, Maiden Lane in London’s Covent Garden area.
Deceased former members of the Guild include actors Sir Alec Guinness.

Organisation

CaAPA is a Catholic association supporting performing arts professionals.
CaAPA works for and with people of all faiths and no faith. It aims to perform a dual role of serving the needs of both CaAPA members and the wider community through the members. Its members consist of theatre professionals and non-professionals interested in the performing arts. Members would use their talents to help the community, such as "putting on theatre productions to help people in their spiritual journeys and to raise funds for good causes."

Activities

Past events have included a Memorial Mass for former Vice-President of the Guild, Michael Williams. Members of the Catholic Stage Guild and the English National Opera provided the entertainment; a fund-raising Quiz Night at Holy Apostles Church, Pimlico and a talk at the CAA, 20 Bedford Street, by Piers Paul Read, the official biographer of the Guild's late Vice-President, Sir Alec Guinness.