Ghostlight Ensemble is excited to join The Factory Theatre for the revival of Fight Night — a violent cabaret celebrating the art of stage combat through original storytelling and violence design. The latest installment of this periodic series celebrates its origins and the origins of all things.

Ghostlight's contribution is The House of Ideas: The Lost Scene that imagines a more violent end to the collaboration between Stan “The Man” Lee — writer, co-creator, self-positioned face of and greatest champion for Marvel Comics in the 1960’s and beyond — and Jack “The King” Kirby — his rough and tumble collaborator and arguably the greatest artist the genre has ever seen.

The piece, written by Mark Pracht and directed by Ensemble Member Chad wise, stars Bryan Breau, Megan Clarke and Brian Plocharczyk. The fight choreographer is Brian Plocharczyk.

Ghostlight Ensemble is excited to join The Factory Theatre for the revival of Fight Night — a violent cabaret celebrating the art of stage combat through original storytelling and violence design. The latest installment of this periodic series celebrates its origins and the origins of all things.

Ghostlight's contribution is The House of Ideas: The Lost Scene that imagines a more violent end to the collaboration between Stan “The Man” Lee — writer, co-creator, self-positioned face of and greatest champion for Marvel Comics in the 1960’s and beyond — and Jack “The King” Kirby — his rough and tumble collaborator and arguably the greatest artist the genre has ever seen.

The piece, written by Mark Pracht and directed by Ensemble Member Chad wise, stars Bryan Breau, Megan Clarke and Brian Plocharczyk. The fight choreographer is Brian Plocharczyk.

During the long nights of midwinter, join Ghostlight Ensemble and the Driehaus Museum by the fireplace(s) as we revive the Victorian tradition of telling ghost stories at Yuletide.

Adapted by Ensemble member Maria Burnham, Holiday Spirits: A Collection of Victorian Yuletide Ghost Stories is a multi-story and multi-storied immersive, site-specific adaptations of classic Victorian ghost stories.

Three distinct stories will unfold over three floors of the museum. Some seating will be provided, but be prepared to move with the actors as they uncover these otherworldly visitors.

The one-night event takes place at The Driehaus Museum (40 East Erie St., Chicago, IL 60611) at 6 p.m. on December 12, 2024.

***This event has ben canceled due to weather out of an abundance of caution.***

It’s Turkey Time again! As per Ghostlight Ensemble’s nearly yearly tradition (Thanks COVID), we present Must Eat TV: A Live Reading of Your Favorite Thanksgiving Television Episodes. This is the Thanksgiving-themed installment of the company’s ongoing live reading series.

Thanksgiving is that strangest of American traditions involving stuffing ourselves silly with turkey, pie and whatever weird food that only your family serves at Thanksgiving (20 different kinds of Jello molds, anyone?), as well as ignoring that one cousin nobody likes and tiptoeing around politics while giving thanks and watching television. So join your Ghostlight family (including our weird cousin) for a celebration of the Great American Eating Holiday.

The lineup features “Giblets for Murray” from Mad About You, “Thanksgiving” from Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist and “The Last Temptation of Mac” from Night Court. at 7 p.m. at at Black Eagle Club (1938 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613), in North Center.

There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door, which will help Ghostlight fund its upcoming season, AND a non-perishable good or additional cash donation to benefit North Center’s Common Pantry, which provides emergency food and social services to those in need.

Tethering In Wander Land by Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble is an artistic collaboration performance and art exhibition between 28 artists tethered together through creativity. Storytellers, choreographers and devised theater artists have created new work inspired by visual artists. Using the Red String theory as inspiration, they explore what connects people, artists, and communities.

The performance takes place Nov. 1-2 & Nov. 8-9 at 7:30 p.m. at The Auditorium at Ebenezer Lutheran Church (1650 W. Foster Avenue; Chicago, IL 60640)

Tethering In Wander Land includes performances by Ghostlight Ensemble Member Christine Marie.

Tethering In Wander Land by Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble is an artistic collaboration performance and art exhibition between 28 artists tethered together through creativity. Storytellers, choreographers and devised theater artists have created new work inspired by visual artists. Using the Red String theory as inspiration, they explore what connects people, artists, and communities.

The performance takes place Nov. 1-2 & Nov. 8-9 at 7:30 p.m. at The Auditorium at Ebenezer Lutheran Church (1650 W. Foster Avenue; Chicago, IL 60640)

Tethering In Wander Land includes performances by Ghostlight Ensemble Member Christine Marie.

Tethering In Wander Land by Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble is an artistic collaboration performance and art exhibition between 28 artists tethered together through creativity. Storytellers, choreographers and devised theater artists have created new work inspired by visual artists. Using the Red String theory as inspiration, they explore what connects people, artists, and communities.

The performance takes place Nov. 1-2 & Nov. 8-9 at 7:30 p.m. at The Auditorium at Ebenezer Lutheran Church (1650 W. Foster Avenue; Chicago, IL 60640)

Tethering In Wander Land includes performances by Ghostlight Ensemble Member Christine Marie.

Tethering In Wander Land by Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble is an artistic collaboration performance and art exhibition between 28 artists tethered together through creativity. Storytellers, choreographers and devised theater artists have created new work inspired by visual artists. Using the Red String theory as inspiration, they explore what connects people, artists, and communities.

The performance takes place Nov. 1-2 & Nov. 8-9 at 7:30 p.m. at The Auditorium at Ebenezer Lutheran Church (1650 W. Foster Avenue; Chicago, IL 60640)

Tethering In Wander Land includes performances by Ghostlight Ensemble Member Christine Marie.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the next installment of its live movie readings with The Skin of a Killer: A live reading of Twilight on Wednesday, October 23, 2024.

Join us at 7 p.m. at Black Eagle Club (1938 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613), as we once again turn our attention to a vampire movie…what can we say, they’re our own personal heroin.

Twilight is a 2008 romantic fantasy film based on a novel of the same name that follows the very original plot line of a normal teenage girl who falls in love with a mysterious classmate who reveals himself to be a 108-year-old vampire. But this time set in the Pacific Northwest and with 100 percent more shiny skin.

The reading is directed by Jean E. Mueller-Burr.

As the Civil Rights movement is brewing in Montgomery, Alabama, a segregationist senator and the state librarian clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. Meanwhile, a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — provides a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Political foes, childhood friends and one feisty children’s author inhabit a Deep South of the imagination that brims with humor, heartbreak and hope.

Inspired by true events, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions, but look closer and you’ll see it’s really about the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Alabama Story will take place Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024, at After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20, 2024, at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago).

As the Civil Rights movement is brewing in Montgomery, Alabama, a segregationist senator and the state librarian clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. Meanwhile, a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — provides a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Political foes, childhood friends and one feisty children’s author inhabit a Deep South of the imagination that brims with humor, heartbreak and hope.

Inspired by true events, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions, but look closer and you’ll see it’s really about the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Alabama Story will take place Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024, at After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20, 2024, at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago).

As the Civil Rights movement is brewing in Montgomery, Alabama, a segregationist senator and the state librarian clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. Meanwhile, a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — provides a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Political foes, childhood friends and one feisty children’s author inhabit a Deep South of the imagination that brims with humor, heartbreak and hope.

Inspired by true events, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions, but look closer and you’ll see it’s really about the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Alabama Story will take place Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024, at After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20, 2024, at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago).

As the Civil Rights movement is brewing in Montgomery, Alabama, a segregationist senator and the state librarian clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. Meanwhile, a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — provides a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Political foes, childhood friends and one feisty children’s author inhabit a Deep South of the imagination that brims with humor, heartbreak and hope.

Inspired by true events, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions, but look closer and you’ll see it’s really about the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Alabama Story will take place Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024, at After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20, 2024, at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago).

Join Ghostlight Ensemble and the Chicago History Museum as we celebrate Spooky Season at CHM with a screening of the Chicago-based horror film Child’s Play (1988, dir. Tom Holland).  

Following the film, Ghostlight will provide some spooky-themed trivia about other horror movies set in Chicago and between each round, actors will perform live reenactments of scenes from these movies on stage! Prizes will be awarded to trivia winners. 

Child’s Play is rated R for violence, strong language, and frightening and intense scenes. Visitors must be 17 years of age or older or accompanied by a parent or guardian who is at least age 25. Seating will be first come, first served.  

Learn more on the Chicago History Museum website.

As the Civil Rights movement is brewing in Montgomery, Alabama, a segregationist senator and the state librarian clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. Meanwhile, a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — provides a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Political foes, childhood friends and one feisty children’s author inhabit a Deep South of the imagination that brims with humor, heartbreak and hope.

Inspired by true events, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions, but look closer and you’ll see it’s really about the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Alabama Story will take place Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024, at After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20, 2024, at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago).

As the Civil Rights movement is brewing in Montgomery, Alabama, a segregationist senator and the state librarian clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. Meanwhile, a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — provides a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Political foes, childhood friends and one feisty children’s author inhabit a Deep South of the imagination that brims with humor, heartbreak and hope.

Inspired by true events, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions, but look closer and you’ll see it’s really about the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Alabama Story will take place Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024, at After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20, 2024, at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago).

Cinema Chaos is a monthly unrehearsed movie reading series that joins our ongoing monthly staged movie reading series bringing audiences two movies a month — one rehearsed and well acted and the other…complete and utter chaos.

A group of actors who have never seen the movie in question show up unrehearsed and uncast to perform the script with only 5 minutes to prepare. Roles will be cast at the start of the reading.

In October, we’ll be doing a certain comic book hero movie most people like to pretend never happened: Daredevil. Join us as actors who have no idea what this movie is about do their best to interpret it on the spot for you. It’s the way all good stories are told — in a blind panic.

Readings take place at the Black Eagle Club in Chicago.

As the Civil Rights movement is brewing in Montgomery, Alabama, a segregationist senator and the state librarian clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. Meanwhile, a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — provides a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Political foes, childhood friends and one feisty children’s author inhabit a Deep South of the imagination that brims with humor, heartbreak and hope.

Inspired by true events, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions, but look closer and you’ll see it’s really about the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Alabama Story will take place Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024, at After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20, 2024, at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago).

As the Civil Rights movement is brewing in Montgomery, Alabama, a segregationist senator and the state librarian clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. Meanwhile, a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — provides a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Political foes, childhood friends and one feisty children’s author inhabit a Deep South of the imagination that brims with humor, heartbreak and hope.

Inspired by true events, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions, but look closer and you’ll see it’s really about the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Alabama Story will take place Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024, at After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20, 2024, at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago).

As the Civil Rights movement is brewing in Montgomery, Alabama, a segregationist senator and the state librarian clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. Meanwhile, a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — provides a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Political foes, childhood friends and one feisty children’s author inhabit a Deep South of the imagination that brims with humor, heartbreak and hope.

Inspired by true events, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions, but look closer and you’ll see it’s really about the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Alabama Story will take place Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024, at After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20, 2024, at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago).

As the Civil Rights movement is brewing in Montgomery, Alabama, a segregationist senator and the state librarian clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. Meanwhile, a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — provides a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Political foes, childhood friends and one feisty children’s author inhabit a Deep South of the imagination that brims with humor, heartbreak and hope.

Inspired by true events, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions, but look closer and you’ll see it’s really about the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Alabama Story will take place Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024, at After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20, 2024, at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago).

As the Civil Rights movement is brewing in Montgomery, Alabama, a segregationist senator and the state librarian clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. Meanwhile, a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — provides a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Political foes, childhood friends and one feisty children’s author inhabit a Deep South of the imagination that brims with humor, heartbreak and hope.

Inspired by true events, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions, but look closer and you’ll see it’s really about the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Alabama Story will take place Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024, at After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20, 2024, at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago).

As the Civil Rights movement is brewing in Montgomery, Alabama, a segregationist senator and the state librarian clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. Meanwhile, a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — provides a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital. Political foes, childhood friends and one feisty children’s author inhabit a Deep South of the imagination that brims with humor, heartbreak and hope.

Inspired by true events, Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions, but look closer and you’ll see it’s really about the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Alabama Story will take place Sept. 27-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024, at After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20, 2024, at Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago).

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the next installment of its live movie readings with Hunting for Vampires on a School Night: A live reading of Buffy the Vampire Slayer (the movie) on Thursday, September 25, 2024.

Join us at 7 p.m. at Black Eagle Club (1938 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613), as we spike the punch at the senior dance and then join together to burn down that high school gym full of vampires.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer is a 1992 American comedy vampire film (that predates the TV series). Blonde, bouncy Buffy (played in this incarnation by Kristy Swanson) is your typical high school cheerleader — her goal is to "marry Christian Slater and die" and nothing gets in her way when it's time to shop. But all that changes when a strange man informs her she's been chosen by fate to kill vampires. Buffy is soon spending school nights protecting L.A. from Lothos, the Vampire King and his determined gang of bloodsuckers.

The reading is directed by John Gleason Teske.

There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door, which will help Ghostlight fund its upcoming season.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the next installment of its live movie readings with Been There, Done That: A Live Reading of She’s All That on Thursday, August 29, 2024.

Join us at 7 p.m. at Black Eagle Club (1938 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613), as we raise a glass of that classic margarita — rum, orange juice, cranberry juice, and limeade, with a dash of cola — to celebrate this 90s teen rom-com!

She’s All That is a 1999 American film following that classic teen plot of turning an ugly duckling into a swan. When Zack's popular girlfriend cheats on him with another boy and breaks up with him, he makes a bet with his friends to turn a school “nerd” into their high school's prom queen.

The reading is directed by Olivia Sieck.

There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door, which will help Ghostlight fund its upcoming season.

Cinema Chaos is a monthly unrehearsed movie reading series that joins our ongoing monthly staged movie reading series bringing audiences two movies a month — one rehearsed and well acted and the other…complete and utter chaos.

A group of actors who have never seen the movie in question show up unrehearsed and uncast to perform the script with only 5 minutes to prepare. Roles will be cast at the start of the reading.

In August, we’ll be doing that most epic of love stories: Fifty Shades of Grey. Join us as actors who have no idea what this movie is about do their best to interpret it on the spot for you. It’s the way all good stories are told — in a blind panic.

Readings take place at the Black Eagle Club in Chicago.

Ghostlight Ensemble invites you to join us for an evening of songs, drinks and general merriment at My Buddy’s to kick off our Eighth Season and long-awaited return to mainstage productions and a full season, post-COVID 19 pandemic!

We can’t wait to re-introduce ourselves to you and for you to meet our new artistic management team. At the event you’ll also learn all about our new season, which includes new partnerships with other Chicago institutions and maybe you’ll even see an excerpt from one of the new plays we’ll be bringing you this season.

There will be karaoke. There will be snacks. There will an open bar from 3-4 p.m. And most of all, there will be fun.

We’re also raising funds for our Season 8 programming, so we kindly ask for a donation of $10 (or more!) in advance via the link below or $15 at the door (cash, credit or PayPal). First 25 folks to donate $10 or more will G.E.T. a special Ghostlight Ensemble swag bag!

Learn more.

Cinema Chaos is a monthly unrehearsed movie reading series that joins our ongoing monthly staged movie reading series bringing audiences two movies a month — one rehearsed and well acted and the other…complete and utter chaos.

A group of actors who have never seen the movie in question show up unrehearsed and uncast to perform the script with only 5 minutes to prepare. Roles will be cast at the start of the reading.

In July, we’ll be doing the Geena Davis-Samuel L. Jackson action film The Long Kiss Goodnight because nothing says, "Hey let's not have any rehearsals and just wing it" like torture, heavy gunfire and a looming bomb explosion! (Don't worry, nothing will happen to the actors or audience members except massive amounts of fun.)

Readings take place at the Black Eagle Club in Chicago.

Cinema Chaos is a monthly unrehearsed movie reading series that joins our ongoing monthly staged movie reading series bringing audiences two movies a month — one rehearsed and well acted and the other…complete and utter chaos.

A group of actors who have never seen the movie in question show up unrehearsed and uncast to perform the script with only 5 minutes to prepare. Roles will be cast at the start of the reading.

In June we’ll be doing that modern classic independent romantic thriller-horror film: Birdemic: Shock and Terror. (Stay tuned for sequels Birdemic 2: The Resurrection and Birdemic 3: Sea Eagle because you can never have too much Birdemic!)

Readings take place at the Black Eagle Club in Chicago.

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the next installment of its live movie readings with Khaaaaaaaaan: A Live Reading of Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan on Thursday, May 23, 2024.

Join us at 7 p.m. at Black Eagle Club (1938 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613), as we raise a Romulan Ale to what is arguably the best Star Trek movie ever made!

Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan is a 1982 American science fiction film that sees Admiral James T. Kirk and the crew of the starship Enterprise facing off against the genetically engineered tyrant Khan Noonien Singh (played with unforgettable élan by Ricardo Montalbán) who has escaped from a 15-year exile to exact revenge on Kirk.

The live reading is directed by Nick Conrad

Food and drink are available for purchase at Black Eagle Club.

There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door, which will help Ghostlight fund its upcoming season.