Stage Manager and Costumer needed for Invaders of Mathmatica

Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking a Stage Manager and a Costumer for its February production of Invaders of Mathmatica by Ensemble Member Nick Conrad. Invaders of Mathmatica is part of our Nightlight young audiences series, which produces original, adapted and forgotten plays geared toward children and the adults who love them. The play tells the story of the planet of Mathmatica where math and science are revered above all else. But their culture has advanced without artistic expression and with a fear of outsiders. The planet has shut itself off from other worlds, figurative and literally. But when three outsiders crash on the surface bringing with them music, art and dance, the princess of Mathmatica begins to question the logic of their isolationist tendencies and the history she’s always been taught.

Job Details:
The Stage Manger will attend all rehearsals and performances.

The Costumer will dress 6 actors (with three actors portraying 2 characters each) and 2 understudies. For our young audience productions we aim for our costume design to be inspired by the type of costumes a child might put together for themselves were they designing a robot or princess outfit. So, costumes do not necessarily need to be complex, but must be functional. We ask that the Costumer be available for virtual production meetings, in-person designer run, tech week and wardrobe fittings in January/February. Dates confirmed according to cast and production team availability.

Key Dates:
Production Schedule: Rehearsals in January 2025. 3-4 rehearsals/week on weeknights or weekend days, to be scheduled according to cast availability.

Tech: Saturday, February 1, 2025, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with additional rehearsals during the week of Feb. 3-7 in the evenings.

Performances: Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Feb. 8-9 and Feb. 15-16, 2025, at Bughouse Theatre in the NorthCenter neighborhood of Chicago (1910 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613).

Instructions to Apply:
To be considered, please send resume to Maria Burnham maria@ghostlightensemble.com

Pay Rate/Range:
$250 stipend for each job.

Auditions announced for Invaders of Mathmatica

Ghostlight Ensemble is casting for its February production of Invaders of Mathmatica by Ensemble Member Nick Conrad. Invaders of Mathmatica is part of our Nightlight young audiences series, which produces original, adapted and forgotten plays geared toward children and the adults who love them. The play tells the story of the planet of Mathmatica where math and science are revered above all else. But their culture has advanced without artistic expression and with a fear of outsiders. The planet has shut itself off from other worlds, figurative and literally. But when three outsiders crash on the surface bringing with them music, art and dance, the princess of Mathmatica begins to question the logic of their isolationist tendencies and the history she’s always been taught.

Please note: We will also be casting for a workshop staged reading of Drink the Past Dry with an invited audience. More information on that is available here. Please indicate in your submission if you are interested in being considered for this project as well.

Character Type:
Ghostlight will be casting for the following roles and for two understudies to split coverage of roles. Casting for the following:

King Algebra of Mathmatica: A fair and kind ruler. He trusts The Prime Council even though he doesn’t always agree with them. He loves his Daughter and his people, but is torn between her wishes and what he believes is best for his people.

Princess V: Happy, energetic longs for adventure. V wants to know what life on other planets is like. She is smart, a quick study and always looking to the sky. She only has one friend Digit, a robotic caretaker.  

Digit: The Robotic friend and assistant to V.

Sway: from Dancetopia- Comes from a culture that uses dance and body movement as their primary artistic expression. Moves fluidly and gracefully like a ballerina.  This actor also plays Vector.

Hue: from Artopolis- hails from a world that celebrates all types of art. Always drawing and painting on everything. Always getting in trouble.  This actor also plays Factor.

Aria: from Vo-cal- The planet of Vo-cal celebrates singing in all forms Mostly speaks in singsong. Sings when nervous. This actor also plays Ratio.

Vector: Leader of the Prime Council knows the secrets of Mathmatica but conceals it from everyone to remain in power. Fears outsiders and is terrified of losing power and influence.

Factor: Always falls in line with Vector. Backs up everything they say and do.

Ratio: The religious leader of the planet. Prays in Pi. “Let us Pray 3.14-159-265-3589”

Time Commitment:
Rehearsals will be 3-4 times/week on weeknight evenings and/or weekend days in January 2025. Final dates will be confirmed after review of cast conflicts.

Cast members and understudies MUST be available the following dates:

Tech: Saturday, February 1, 2025, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and rehearsals during the week of Feb. 3-7 in the evenings.

Performances: Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. Feb. 8-9 and Feb. 15-16, 2025, at Bughouse Theatre in the NorthCenter neighborhood of Chicago (1910 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613).

Materials To Prepare:
Please submit your headshot and resume to Jean Mueller-Burr, Casting Director, at casting@ghostlightensemble.com. Please clearly indicate if you have any conflicts during indicated audition times on Dec 14 & Dec. 15. Please also indicate if you’d like to be considered for the staged reading of Drink the Past Dry.

Sides will be provided.

Pay:
Cast & Understudies: $100 rehearsal stipend + $25 per performance. In addition, performers will receive one comp ticket to a performance of their choosing.

Audition Time & Location:
General: Saturday, Dec. 14: 10:30 to 1:30 p.m. at City Lit Theater (1020 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60660)

Callbacks: Sunday, Dec. 15: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at City Lit Theater.

Contact:
Jean Mueller-Burr
Email: casting@ghostlightensemble.com

Accepting actor submissions for staged reading of Drink the Past Dry

Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking actors for a workshop staged reading of Drink the Past Dry with an invited audience. This is the final step in the development process for the play, which is scheduled for production in spring 2025. Actors participating in the stage reading will receive preferential treatment in casting for the full production.

Drink the Past Dry is a vignette-style, site-specific production set in a nondescript neighborhood bar in the middle of Chicago. It looks like every other bar in every other neighborhood in the city with a few regulars sipping drinks, making small talk, doing the things people always do in bars. But this bar has a secret. It can take you anywhere in time, but only once and only within the walls of the bar (so it turns out it’s not as popular a place as one might think). But there are some souls who still need to reach out to the past – or to the future – and this is where they come when they do.

Please note: Auditions for this staged reading will be held simultaneously with auditions for our February production of Invaders of Mathmatica. Please indicate in your submission if you’d like to be considered for this production as well.  More information is available here.

Character Type:
Ghostlight will be casting for 8 actors. Roles range in age and genders, though we are particularly seeking non-binary/gender non-conforming actors to play the Bartender – an ageless figure who is present throughout the play, as well as Greek-American actors to play a mother who has just been diagnosed with dementia and her child. A few actors will play multiple roles.

Time Commitment:
There will be 1 to 2 Zoom readings/rehearsals and 1 in-person rehearsal in the evening on either January 20 or 21.

The reading will take play on Wednesday, January 22 at 7 p.m.

The reading and in-person rehearsal will take place at Black Eagle Club in the NorthCenter neighborhood of Chicago (1938 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613).

Materials To Prepare:
Please submit your headshot and resume to Jean Mueller-Burr, Casting Director, at casting@ghostlightensemble.com. Please clearly indicate if you have any conflicts during indicated audition times on Dec 14. There will be no callbacks for this reading. Please also indicate if you’d like to be considered for the production of Invaders of Mathmatica.

Sides will be provided.

Pay:
There is no pay, but a $25 stipend will be provided to actors to help defray the cost of transportation. Actors will also be able to invite people to the staged reading, which will be free.

Audition Time & Location:
General: Saturday, Dec. 14: 10:30 to 1:30 p.m. at City Lit Theater (1020 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Chicago, IL 60660)

Video submissions will also be accepted for this reading, if you are not available for auditions.

Contact:

Jean Mueller-Burr
Email: casting@ghostlightensemble.com

Vote for Ghostlight and Alabama Story in the 2024 BroadwayWorld Chicago Awards

Voting is now open for the next round of Broadway World Chicago awards.

Ghostlight Ensemble is nominated as a Favorite Local Theatre Company and Alabama Story has multiple nominations, including Best Performer in a Play, Best Supporting Performer in a Play, Best Ensemble. Best Play and Best Direction of a Play.

We hope you'll cast a vote for us in this final round of votes. Voting will continue through December 31, 2024. You can only select one choice per category or you can opt for the “No Nominee” button at the top, if you want to skip a category. Winners will be announced in January.

To vote, visit the BroadwayWorld Chicago website here or click the button below.

Fight Night is back! Get ready to rumble...but in a very safe, theatrical way

Ghostlight is excited to be a part of the return of Fight Night — a violent cabaret celebrating the art of stage combat through original storytelling and violence design — with The House of Ideas: The Lost Scene.

Fight Night: Origins takes place on Friday, December 13, and Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 8 p.m. at the Factory Theater in Rogers Park. Six companies premiere original combat pieces in an electrifying event that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

The last Fight Night, produced under Nothing Special Productions in 2016, was the very first thing we did as a company.

The House of Ideas: The Lost Scene 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.

Tickets are on sale now via The Factory Theater.

Low ticket warning for Holiday Spirits at the Driehaus Museum

Tickets are almost sold out for our one-night only holiday event at the Driehaus Museum: Holiday Spirits: A collection of Victorian Yuletide Ghost Stories.

The show 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.

As of this week, only 10 tickets remain. Don’t miss this one-of-kind event! Tickets are available via the Driehaus website by clicking here.

Up Next: The return of Must Eat TV!

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.

The live reading is directed by Christine Marie.

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.

Up Next: A Live Reading of Twilight

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.

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

Audiences love ‘Alabama Story’; Final 3 performances begin Friday

Only three performances remain of Ghostlight Ensemble’s production of Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones, Oct. 18, 19 & 20.

The production has been highly recommended by critics and audiences alike.

Raves include:

“My family thoroughly enjoyed Alabama Story…I grew up in Deep South Georgia. The writing, the inflections and the hypocrisy were spot on…We simply must NOT go back!!

Please continue your good work.” — Eloise  

“It’s a really good show, highly recommend seeing this one!” — Ana

“Beautiful performance of Alabama Story!” — Ginny

“You chose a topical, engrossing story…Nuanced, powerful, visceral. I’m gushing and it’s deserved. Well done, Ghostlight!” — Carol

Check out our reviews here:
Read the full Third Coast review here.

Read the full New City Stage review here.

Read the full The Reader review here.

The remaining shows take place at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18 and Saturday, October 19 and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 20, at Haymarket House, 800 W Buena Ave, Chicago.

Alabama Story is a fictional play based on very real events that took place in 1950s Alabama when a children’s book called The Rabbits’ Wedding by illustrator Garth Williams (known for his work on Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little and Little House on the Prairie) was released.

The play tells the story of a segregationist senator and the state librarian who clash over the content of The Rabbit’s Wedding. The play contrasts that story with a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — providing a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital.

Tickets are pay-what-you-will, with an average donation of $25, and are available at https://ghostlightensembletheatreco.thundertix.com/. More information about the show can be found at https://www.ghostlightensemble.com/alabama-story.

And if you’ve already seen Alabama Story and loved it, consider helping nominate us for the 2024 Broadway World Chicago Awards. You can submit here through Oct. 31: https://www.broadwayworld.com/chicago/votenominations.cfm. (You do not not need to fill out all categories or blanks.)

Ghostlight Ensemble acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Alabama Story is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.

Alabama Story featured in the Columbia Chronicle

Alabama Story and actor Scott Olson were featured in The Columbia (College) Chronicle this week.

In the piece, Olson says that the show is very “multi-layered,” and that he thinks those watching will be “surprised at how much humor exists in the play as well.” 

Audiences have six more performances to catch Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones beginning tonight! All remaining performances will be held in Haymarket Books at Haymarket House, 800 W Buena Ave., Chicago [Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20].

Read the entire article here.

Recommended: Two weeks left to check out Alabama Story's 'brilliant performances'

(From left) Maria Burnham as Emily Wheelock Reed and Tom Goodwin as Sen. E.W. Higgins in Ghostlight Ensemble’s production of Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones. (Photo by Pete Guither)

More glowing reviews for Ghostlight Ensemble’s production of Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones. New City Stage and Third Coast Review both recommend the production saying “The play is smoothly directed by Robison, who uses the bookstore event space smartly to change scenes and move characters in and out” (Third Coast) and “The cast delivers brilliant performances all around.” (New City)

Alabama Story runs two more weekends, Oct 11-13 & Oct 18-20, at Haymarket House, 800 W Buena Ave, Chicago .

Read the full Third Coast review here.

Read the full New City Stage review here.

Announcing our newest museum partnership

Ghostlight is excited to be teaming up with the Chicago History Museum for their Spooky Sunday event!

The museum will celebrate the Spooky Season with a screening of the Chicago-based horror film Child’s Play (1988, dir. Tom Holland) on Sunday, October 13, 2024.

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

The fun begins at 2 p.m.

This event is included with general admission to the museum. Tickets are available on the Chicago History Museum website.

Look for even more fun events with the Chicago History Museum in the new year!

Recommended: Don’t miss our ‘timely reflection on censorship and moral awakening’

From left: Haley Basil as Lilly, Justin Broom as Thomas, Maria Burnham as Emily and Khnemu Menu-Ra as Joshua in Ghostlight Ensemble’s production of Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones. (Photo by Pete Guither)

“The production’s commitment to historical storytelling, combined with the bookstore setting, makes Alabama Story a compelling and evocative piece of theater.” — The Reader

Ghostlight Ensemble’s Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones is Reader AND audience recommended. The drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights has struck a chord with patrons who, in only one weekend, have returned to see it multiple times. Join us this weekend at After-Words Bookstore for this “daring production,” directed by Holly Robison. (Read the full Reader review here.)

The play, set in 1959 Montgomery, Alabama, is the story of a segregationist senator (the fictional-characterization-based-on-a-real-person, Sen. E.W. Higgins) and the state librarian (based on a very real Emily Wheelock Reed) who clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. The play contrasts that story with a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — providing a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital.

Alabama Story is taking place at two site-specific, book-centric locations: After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W. Buena Ave, Chicago). There is one more weekend of performances at After-Words Bookstore, Oct. 4-6; followed by two weekends at Haymarket Books, Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Alabama Story opens this weekend!

Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones – a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights – opens during Banned Books Week on Let Freedom Read Day, Saturday, September 28.

Let Freedom Read Day is a day of action with a call for everyone who stands against book banning to take at least one action to help defend books from censorship. Ghostlight is proud to stand up for the library staff, educators, writers, publishers and booksellers who make books available to all. Learn more about Banned Books week (September 22-28) and Let Freedom Read Day at https://bannedbooksweek.org/let-freedom-read-day.

Alabama Story is a fictional play based on very real events that took place in 1950s Alabama when a children’s book called The Rabbits’ Wedding by illustrator Garth Williams (known for his work on Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little and Little House on the Prairie) was released. The book tells of two little rabbits – one white, one black – who decide to get married. Though not intended to be political, the book caused a firestorm in the Segregationist South with calls to ban and even burn the book.

 The play, set in 1959 Montgomery, Alabama, is the story of a segregationist senator (the fictional-characterization-based-on-a-real-person, Sen. E.W. Higgins) and the state librarian (based on a very real Emily Wheelock Reed) who clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. The play contrasts that story with a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — providing a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital.

 Alabama Story is set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions that parallels the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

The immersive show also marks the company’s return to mainstage productions since the global COVID-19 Pandemic brought arts organizations and productions around the world to a halt in 2020.

“We have an amazing project and the cast is truly fantastic,” Director Holly Robison said. “I cannot wait for audiences to see the excellent performances that are sure to elevate an already meaty, timely script,”

 The cast includes two Ensemble Members, Co-Artistic Director Justin Broom as Thomas Franklin and Maria Burnham as Emily Wheelock Reed. Rounding out the cast is Scott Olson as Garth Williams, Tom Goodwin as Sen. E.W. Higgins, Khnemu Menu-Ra as Joshua Moore and Haley Basil as Lily Whitfield. Understudies include Adrian Campbell, Mary Jordan, Allison McCorkle and Derek Preston Ray. Ensemble Member and Co-Artistic Director Holly Robison directs. (Bios available at www.ghostlightensemble.com/alabama-story-bios.)

The production takes place at two site-specific, book-centric locations: After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago). There is a preview performance on Friday, September 27 at After-Words Bookstore, followed by performances on Sept. 28-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024. Performances at Haymarket Books are Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets are pay-what-you-will, with an average donation of $25, and are available at https://ghostlightensembletheatreco.thundertix.com/. More information about the show can be found at https://www.ghostlightensemble.com/alabama-story.

Ghostlight Ensemble acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Alabama Story is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.

Alabama Story featured in The Total Scene

Eric Schelkopf from The Total Scene (presenting the best of arts and entertainment in the Chicago area) recently sat down with Alabama Story director Holly Robison to discuss the play, Ghostlight’s return to mainstage productions, book bans and more.

“Part of our mission is to do timeless stories and to ask questions. And I think a story like this, even though it's set in the 1950s, shows that there's still sort of nothing new. It's still happening. It looks a little bit different, but in a lot of ways, it's the same.” - Holly Robison

Read the entire interview here.

Up Next: Been There, Done That: A Live Reading of She’s All That

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 cast is:
Laney Boggs: Skylar Frishman
Zack Siler: Sam Campos
Ensemble: Lilly Apostolou, Maria Burnham, Nick Conrad, Allison Horvatin, Issa Polstein and Hope Prybylski.

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. Food and drink is available for purchase at Black Eagle.

Cast announced for 'Alabama Story'

Clockwise from upper left: Tom Goodwin, Maria Burnham, Scott Olson, Khnemu Menu-Ra, Haley Basil and Justin Broom.

Ghostlight Ensemble is pleased to announce the cast of Alabama Story by Kenneth Jones– the company’s first mainstage show since the global COVID-19 Pandemic brought arts organizations and productions around the world to a halt in 2020.

The talented ensemble cast has a tremendous level of experience in both the theatre and film scene and will bring their talents to the stage starting in late September.

“This cast is truly fantastic, and I cannot wait to see the excellent performances that are sure to elevate an already meaty, timely script,” Robison said.

The cast includes two Ensemble Members, Co-Artistic Director Justin Broom as Thomas Franklin and Maria Burnham as Emily Wheelock Reed. Rounding out the cast is Scott Olson as Garth Williams, Tom Goodwin as Sen. E.W. Higgins, Khnemu Menu-Ra as Joshua Moore and Haley Basil as Lily Whitfield. Understudies include Adrian Campbell, Mary Jordan, Allison McCorkle and Derek Preston Ray. Ensemble Member and Co-Artistic Director Holly Robison directs.

Alabama Story is a fictional play based on very real events that took place in 1950s Alabama when a children’s book called The Rabbits’ Wedding by illustrator Garth Williams (known for his work on Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little and Little House on the Prairie) was released. The book tells of two little rabbits – one white, one black – who decide to get married. Though not intended to be political, the book caused a firestorm in the Segregationist South with calls to ban and even burn the book.

The play, set in 1959 Montgomery, Alabama, is the story of a segregationist senator (the fictional-characterization-based-on-a-real-person, Sen. E.W. Higgins) and the state librarian (based on a very real Emily Wheelock Reed) who clash over the content of a children’s book about bunny rabbits. The play contrasts that story with a reunion of childhood friends — a Black man and a woman of white privilege — providing a private counterpoint to the public events swirling in the state capital.

Alabama Story is a drama about censorship, book banning and Civil Rights set within the framework of 1950s racial tensions that parallels the issues facing America today as book bans and book challenges overwhelm libraries and schools across the nation.

Ghostlight will open Alabama Story during Banned Books Week on Let Freedom Read Day, Saturday, September 28. Let Freedom Read Day is a day of action with a call for everyone who stands against book banning to take at least one action to help defend books from censorship. Ghostlight is proud to stand up for the library staff, educators, writers, publishers and booksellers who make books available to all. Learn more about Banned Books week (September 22-28) and Let Freedom Read Day at https://bannedbooksweek.org/let-freedom-read-day.

Alabama Story will take place at two site-specific, book-centric locations: After-Words Bookstore (23 E. Illinois St., Chicago) and Haymarket Books at Haymarket House (800 W Buena Ave, Chicago). There is a preview performance on Friday, September 27 at After-Words Bookstore, followed by performances on Sept. 28-29 and Oct. 4-6, 2024. Performances at Haymarket Books are Oct. 11-13 and Oct. 18-20. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 2:30 p.m. on Sundays.

Tickets are pay-what-you-will, with an average donation of $25, and are available at https://ghostlightensembletheatreco.thundertix.com/. More information about the show can be found at https://www.ghostlightensemble.com/alabama-story.

Ghostlight Ensemble acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency. Alabama Story is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection.

Kick off August and our 8th Season with Karaoke (and us!)

We’re looking forward to serenading you with the sweet sounds of our karaoke powerhouse ballads at the Season 8 Kickoff on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m. at My Buddy’s. Tickets are pay-what-you-will, but the first 25 people to reserve tickets at the $10 or more level will G.E.T. a special Ghostlight Ensemble swag bag. (They’re going fast, though!)

We will be celebrating the start of our Eighth Season and long-awaited return to mainstage productions, starting with Alabama Story in September, as well as singing our hearts out for one and all. Actually, we’d prefer it if you sang. We might cause noise complaints from the neighbors.

Learn all about our new season, which includes new partnerships with other Chicago institutions, as well as rocking out to some karaoke courtesy of Championship Karaoke. We’ll have snacks and an open bar from 3-4 p.m., as well.

We’re also raising funds for our Season 8 programming, so we’ll be raffling off lots of great items from Chicago businesses.

The event takes place from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, at My Buddy’s, 4416 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640.

Can’t come, but still want to support Ghostlight, financially? Donate here.

Up Next: Cinema Chaos: The Long Kiss Goodnight

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the next installment of its ongoing Cinema Chaos series with the Geena Davis-Samuel L. Jackson action film The Long Kiss Goodnight on Wednesday, July 24 at Black Eagle Club in Chicago.

Cinema Chaos is our monthly unrehearsed movie reading series that partners with our ongoing monthly staged movie reading series to bring 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 The Long Kiss Goodnight, schoolteacher and single mother Samantha Caine (Geena Davis) lives an average suburban life, until a car accident and a news story start to trigger her memory. She hires detective Mitch Hennessy (Samuel L. Jackson) to investigate.

Come join the chaos!

Joins us in August as we Kickoff G.E.T.’s 8th Season

Ghostlight Ensemble invites you to join us for an afternoon 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 Eventbrite 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!

The Season 8 Kickoff takes place at My Buddy’s (4416 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60640) from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, August 10, 2024.