The Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento (LOTS) was founded in 1982 by Mike and Debbie Baad and Dolores Allen. Drawing on their considerable theatre experience, including roles with the Sacramento Opera and Davis Comic Opera, the Baad family assembled a core group of St. Mary’s Church Choir members to start the St. Mary’s Players. “H.M.S. Pinafore,” the St. Mary’s Players first production in 1982, received rave reviews. “H.M.S. Pinafore” was followed in 1983 by “The Pirates of Penzance” and in 1984 by “The Mikado.” By this time, the St. Mary’s Players, drawing on many talented performers from throughout the Sacramento area, had established itself with the theatre-going public, and its productions were attracting larger and larger audiences. In its fourth year, the St. Mary’s Players became The Light Opera Theatre of Sacramento and moved to a new “home” at the Coloma Community Center. In 1989 they moved to their present location at the 24th Street Theater.