Breaking into Chicago’s theater scene is no easy task, but some Columbia alumni have found their way in.

The opening season of the Saint Sebastian Players’ production of “Moon Over Buffalo” is led by Columbia cast and management.

“They’re so professional, so disciplined and so structured,” said John Hagloch, a 23-year member and president of the Saint Sebastian Players.

The cast is led by alumni Matt Davis and Britni Tozzi, who was a 2008 valedictorian.  Also in the cast is Matt Trudeau, a senior theater major.

“I haven’t accepted being a starving artist; I expect [roles in] movies right when I get out,” Trudeau said jokingly.

Debuting on Broadway in 1995, “Moon Over Buffalo” is a whimsical comedy set in the 1950s involving a family of fading actors who are given another shot at stardom. Booze, sex and miscommunication ever-present obstacles.

The play is directed by alumnus Tony Soto, assistant directed by alumna Darcy McGill and sophomore Emily Cooke is the stage manager.

“Their skill level is amazing,” said John Oster, Saint Sebastian Player director of audience development.

This season, the Saint Sebastian Players hired an outside director, which rarely happens.  In the company’s 28 years, outside directors have been hired fewer than 10 times, said Hagloch.

“Tony didn’t have the experience, it’s his first full-stage play, but his sheer enthusiasm was so infectious,” Hagloch said. “I was sold on him by our first talk.”

Soto then brought in his fellow alumni, and they recommended other students.

“It’s a big web of who you know, and I think Columbia really makes that a reality; you are going to be working professionals, and you should help each other out,” Soto said. Tozzi has worked with Soto on two Columbia plays, “The Rocky Horror Show” and “The Actor’s Nightmare.”

“To be able to work with him like this is a great experience,” Tozzi said.

Columbia’s theater program is comprehensive, teaching and integrating skills of the craft and it’s “very labor intensive,” said Brian Shaw, associate chair of Columbia’s Theater Department.

“It’s very grueling to be a theater student because you’re pulling in a full load of classes plus rehearsing for a show,” Soto said.

The Theater Department has always stressed the ensemble process, said David Woolley, teacher of the stage combat class.

“Columbia approaches its theater from a professional point: “Know your job, do your job and know how to work with other people,” Shaw said.

Columbia’s Theater Department has more than 800 students currently, its highest enrollment ever. The cast and crew believe it is through the vigorous work ethic and dedication that success is possible.

“You get out of it exactly as much as you put in because we have some of the most fantastic people working there that I ever met,” Davis said.

Davis wasn’t originally cast as the lead; he was hired as the fight choreographer.

But lead actor Lee Adam came down with a sudden illness, causing him to drop out two weeks before the premiere. Davis then had less than two weeks to be prepared for opening night.  He is making his Chicago stage debut with this production.

“The fact that I was at so many rehearsals and had the opportunity to listen to the lines go back and forth and hear how people are interacting … when you look at it with a third person perspective, it makes it much easier,” Davis said.

The Saint Sebastian Players has not had a lead drop out of a role since 1995.

“Matt filling in is so incredible,” said Hagloch.  “It was meant to be.”

“Moon Over Buffalo” runs from Oct. 17 to Nov. 9 at the St. Bonaventure Theater, 1625 W. Diversey Parkway. Show times are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Single tickets are $15, $10 with student ID and $7 for seniors and children under 12. All programming is subject to change.  For more information, call (773) 404-7922.