Announcing the plays of Make/Believe 2023!

An ant who wishes to explore the world beyond her family’s territory, a grandmother and granddaughter superhero duo and a helpful house spirit are among the cast of characters found in the fourth installment of Ghostlight Ensemble’s Make/Believe short play festival for young audiences this year.

Ghostlight is excited to feature five new plays for young audience members to enjoy this summer with their family and friends, said festival producer Caryn Brieschke. For the first time more than half the plays are by local playwrights.

“These stories are fun for children to watch, but are also crucial to helping them understand the increasingly complex feelings they develop as they grow older and providing them with tools to deal with complicated situations they may find themselves in,” Brieschke added.

Filled with the power of believing in yourself, new adventures and family bonds, the five stories that make up this year’s festival are filled with characters who face the types of struggles modern children will recognize from their own lives. 

This year’s plays include:

• The Thing That Comes to the Basement by Chicago playwright Lori Taylor, whose work will be familiar to past Make/Believe audiences, as she’s been a part of all our previous festivals. In The Thing That Comes to the Basement, Camilla Antie, an 8-year-old ant, discovers that just because someone looks different than you, does not mean they are frightening or that they cannot become your friend.

• Hannah and Halmoni Save the World! by Chicago playwright Juliet Kang Huneke. By day, Hannah is a 7-year-old girl who lives with her Korean American grandma. But by night, grandma transforms into a SUPERHERO named Halmoni (that’s the Korean word for grandma, if you were wondering)! But when it’s Hannah’s turn to be the hero, not the sidekick, can she step up and save the day? Hannah and Halmoni Save the World champions asking for help, self-forgiveness and super awesome theme songs for the young AND old among us.

• The Edge of Play by Provo, Utah, playwright Janine Sobeck Knighton. The Edge of Play tells the story of Ada, an imaginative 8-year-old girl who loves slides but gets really nervous around other kids. With help from her unique friend Mo, she learns that it’s OK to need a little extra help and support to do the things that scare you the most.

• Finding Belief by Portland playwright Kwik Jones. Even with encouragement from her father, Ivy, a young girl discouraged by her tennis match losses, lives in a world of doubt – that is until Dunlop, her tennis racket, comes to life and ushers her on a short journey to rescue her Belief from the evil tennis ball, Doubt. Ivy must find courage to save Belief. With the help of the audience will Ivy find and save Belief?

• Guardian of the House (Τόπακας) by Chicago playwright and Ghostlight Ensemble Member Maria Burnham. A young girl, tired of all the new chores she has to do since her little sister arrived, learns the value of family and sticking together from the genii of her house. Steeped in Greek folklore, Guardian of the House will feature traditional Hellenic storytelling and puppetry.

Make/Believe is scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 27; Sunday, May 28; Saturday, June 3 and Sunday, June 4, at 1:30 p.m. at NorthCenter Town Square (4100 N. Damen Ave., Chicago).

All five plays will be produced on each day of the festival at the NorthCenter Town Square – an outdoor space in the heart of the NorthCenter neighborhood. Some seating will be available, but audience members are encouraged to bring their own chairs and picnics. The show is free, but donations are always appreciated.

Make/Believe is produced by Caryn Brieschke and is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and by support from the NorthCenter Chamber of Commerce.

Make/Believe is part of Ghostlight’s Nightlight young audience series, which features original, adapted and forgotten plays geared toward children and the adults who love them.

More information will be available on the Make/Believe show page.

Ghostlight joins with Driehaus Museum to present 'The Shadow of A Doubt' in March

Ghostlight joins with the Richard H. Driehaus Museum in March to present a staged reading of the recently rediscovered play, The Shadow of A Doubt, by novelist Edith Wharton. The play is part of our For Your (Re)Consideration series that explores the works of historically overlooked female writers.

Set at the turn of the twentieth century, The Shadow of a Doubt, explores the issues surrounding social position, remarriage, the roles of women and euthanasia. Replete with Wharton’s trademark wit and skewering of Gilded Age manners, the play centers around nurse Kate Tredennis, who marries John Derwent, a widower of one of Kate’s former patients and friends. Elevated into society through her marriage, Kate is a model wife and stepmother, but she feels uneasy with her new position and faces constant scrutiny for her lowlier background. Soon, her unease is manifested when a man from her past casts suspicion on Kate and accuses her in the first Mrs. Derwent’s death.

The reading runs about 90 minutes with an intermission. A brief talkback will follow.

More information is available on our show page here, and on the Driehaus Museum’s website here.

Popular movie reading series returns with Clue: The Movie

After a forced hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ghostlight Ensemble is bringing back its popular live movie reading series. First up in February is Flames on the Side of My Face: A Live Reading of Clue.

Ghostlight’s movie reading series combines our love of theater and movies into one night of fun. The staged readings of our favorite films goes to support our mission and other non-profits around the city. We’ve been doing this since 2017 and we’re excited to G.E.T. back to adding a little Ghostlight flare to the films you think you know so well.

Join us at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 9, 2023, at Black Eagle Club (1938 W Irving Park Rd, Chicago, IL 60613), and make sure you bring your fedora and magnifying glass!

Clue: The Movie is a 1985 murder mystery/dark comedy film based on the board game of the same name. Six blackmail victims are invited to an isolated mansion by a man who knows a dark secret from each of their pasts. Each has a pseudonym and is handed a weapon, at which point the lights are switched off and the person believed to be their blackmailer is killed. Can the guests uncover the murderer before they all become victims? Note: Since this performance is only one night, we will feature all three theatrical endings à la the video release.

Cast:
Wadsworth: Ethan Carlson
Mrs. White: Jean E. Mueller-Burr
Miss Scarlet: Miona Lee
Mrs. Peacock: Katharine Jordan
Col. Mustard: Reid Henry
Prof. Plum: Sean Harklerode
Mr. Green: Nick Conrad
Mr. Boddy/Cop/Motorist: John Rohr
Yvette/Cook/Singing Telegram: Marianna Gallegos
Evangelist/Chief: Chad Wise

Learn more on the show page.

The Holidays begin this Sunday!

The Holiday Cabernet is back for a fourth year this Sunday, December 11! Enjoy an evening of holiday classics (or not-so-classics) by favorite G.E.T. performers, emerging artists and surprise guests in a cabaret-style setting with a host who may or may not be toasted.

For year four, we've brought back the popular holiday vendor area so you can do some holiday shopping in addition to indulging in the holiday cheer. AND we've added Sloshed Snaps with Santa for all your holiday Insta feeds!

This year’s host will be the hilarious Bettie Attitude — a performer, dancer, storyteller and all around creative. Born and raised in Chicago, they are currently the Ensemble Manager of The Screwbelles and also known for their love of Taco Bell and spaghetti (not necessarily together, but also not necessarily NOT together).

Acts that will be performing this year include: Erin Baumrucker, Comedy Dance Chicago, Casey Daniel, Julia deGruchy, Improvised Jane Austen, Khloe Janel, Courtney Marie, J. Rohr and Nitty Gritty.

More information about these performers and our vendors, as well as parking and transportation options, is available on the Holiday Cabernet Show page.

The fourth Holiday Cabernet takes place at Mrs. Murphy & Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613) at 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 11. There is a suggested donation of $20.

G.E.T. into the holiday spirits and join us for a night of song, dance, theatre, good cheer and revelry. G.E.T. yule holiday fun on!

Ghostlight welcomes three new Ensemble Members

Chicago actors Nick Conrad, Courtney Marie and Reid Henry have joined Ghostlight Ensemble Theatre Company. All three were seen in Ghostlight productions this past season.

Ghostlight is a true ensemble-driven theater company, according to Co-Artistic Director Miona Lee, which means the entire company participates in the decision-making process. It’s one of the great and unique aspects of Ghostlight, she adds. That includes programming, which is selected by the Ensemble after having open and honest discussions about the material.

“We move forward as a group and each member provides valuable perspective, Lee said. “I’m excited to see where Ghostlight will go with these new voices.

“Each one of these new members have unique backgrounds and passions that will provide us more opportunity to push our mission in new and interesting ways. What’s more exciting than that?”

Nick Conrad is an improviser, actor, karaoke DJ and founder of The Green Suite, a small company that offers hands-on classes and products made from up-cycled materials. Nick was most recently seen on the Ghostlight Stage as Jordan in Asherella and Bilbo The Blue Balloon in It’s Poppin’ – both part of Make/Believe 2022: A short play festival for young audiences. As well as acting, Nick also performs stand-up and sketch comedy at various locations around Chicago.

Courtney Marie is a Chicago native, who in addition to her artistic side, is also a dreamer, student and sometimes paralegal. She was most recently seen on the Ghostlight stage as Queen B in Asherella and Brooklyn in Best Friends – both part of Make/Believe 2022: A short play festival for young audiences. Other recent Chicago credits include: Ruined by Lynn Nottage, directed by the incomparable Ebby Offord; ‘Night, Mother by Marsha Norman and Raisin in the Sun, all with Invictus Theatre Company. In addition, Courtney is proud to have made her directorial debut with Footholds Vol. 3, produced by the Imposters Theatre Company.

Reid Henry comes to Chicago by way of Indiana and when not on stage, he can be found baking breads, fermenting various things and scouring Facebook marketplace for his next “project”. Reid was most recently seen on the Ghostlight Stage as Asher in Asherella, Peter in Sunshine and the Sea of Lost Things and George in A Blue Hydrangea – all part of Make/Believe 2022: A short play festival for young audiences. Recent credits include: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare Abridged (Revised!), L’Eliser D’Amore, Titus Andronicus and Leipzig.

Find out more about these artists and all our Ensemble members on the About Us: The Ensemble page of our website.

Holiday Cabernet 2022: A Call for Performers

Ghostlight Ensemble invites poets, dancers, artists, storytellers, comedians and musicians to perform at our fourth annual Holiday Cabernet fundraiser on December 11. We welcome performers of diverse skills and talents at this event.

Performances should be 5-10 minutes in length and themed to any of the winter holidays. Show off your talents in spoken word, slam poetry, excerpt reading, improv, dancing, comedy, music or any medium of your choice. The Cabernet is an excellent opportunity to try out new material in front of a friendly, supportive audience.

To submit, please send us a paragraph on your proposal and what genre of performance it falls under and any relevant links to your previous work. Email Jean at casting@ghostlightensemble.com. Deadline for submissions is November 27.

If you are selected we will contact you to communicate event details and information on how you would like to be recognized.

Performers will receive $20, plus tips and a cut of the door.

The event takes place at 5 p.m. on Sunday, December 11 at Mrs. Murphy and Sons Irish Bistro (3905 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60613).

Call for scripts: Seeking short children's plays for 4nd annual Make/Believe festival

Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking short scripts (a maximum of 15 minutes) that are geared toward young audiences. Priority will be placed on scripts that are ethnically and culturally diverse, and written by writers of color and/or LGBTQ writers. This is open to playwrights in any geographic area, though writers in the greater Chicago area will receive priority. NO FEE.

Playwrights will receive $25 per selected script.

Selected plays will be produced in the late spring of 2022 as part of the fourth annual Make/Believe festival of theatre for children under our Nightlight banner. (Learn more about the 2020 festival, the 2021 festival and the 2022 festival with these links.) The performances will be held live, with a location or locations TBD.

Please pay close attention to the script requirements. Scripts that do not meet the following criteria will not be considered. 

Requirements

• A maximum of 3 actors per script. There are no restrictions, however, on the number of characters. Please note, that while some directors have chosen to use child actors in past pieces, the intent of this festival is to perform for children, not with children.

• Plays must have minimal to no technical demands, as there is a possibility these plays will be performed outside and/or in multiple locations. There may be no lighting or backstage area, although minimal sound cues will be available.

• Must fit our mission.

• Geared toward children 11 and under. Please, NO scripts about high school students.

• All props, set pieces and costumes must be easily made at home by actors (and children watching who want to stage their own productions at home).

• Pieces can be previously produced, but cannot have a production running concurrently with Make/Believe. 

Electronic submissions only, please. Submit cover letter with full contact information, a short author bio, brief synopsis of script — including development and production history (if applicable) — and the full script to Maria Burnham at scripts@ghostlightensemble.com. Please use the following format in the email’s subject line: Nightlight Script Submission: [play name] - [playwright name]. To clarify, the information in brackets should be replaced by the name of your play and your name.

The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2022.

G.E.T. ready to Make/Believe this weekend!

Sophie Hernando Kofman (left) and Joselle Reyes star in Krill’s Quest, written by Angelle Whavers and directed by Joel Willison, as part of Make/Believe.

Gwyneth Clare (left) and Adeera Harris star in Can You Hear the Mermaids Singing?, written by Rachel Atkins and directed by Rebecca Rose Schilsky.

Make/Believe 2022 takes the stage beginning this weekend! The outdoor show features seven short plays geared toward audiences 10 and under, but meant to be enjoyed by all ages.

The show will take place (light) rain or shine at the NorthCenter Town Square, starting at 2:30 p.m.. on Saturday, July 16, and continues the following two Saturdays. Come early to enjoy the NorthCenter Farmers Market and then stay for our show.

The seven stories that make up this year’s festival are filled with young people, plants, puppies and a blue balloon who must face great obstacles to discover who (or what) they’re meant to be. From the Filipino-American girl who is trying to find her way home in Sunshine and the Sea of Lost Things to the littlest fish in the ocean proving all sizes matter in Krill’s Quest, the protagonists in these plays face the types of struggles modern children will recognize from their own lives.

All seven plays will be produced on each day of the festival at the new NorthCenter Town Square – an outdoor space in the heart of the NorthCenter neighborhood. Some seating is available, but audience members are encouraged to bring their own chairs and picnics. The show is free, but donations are always appreciated.

Selected scripts are Asherella by Lori Taylor, Best Friends by Adam Eugene Hurst, A Blue Hydrangea by Eric Braman, Can You Hear the Mermaids Singing? by Rachel Atkins, It's Poppin' by Steven San Luis, Krill’s Quest by Angelle Whavers and Sunshine and the Sea of Lost Things by Sarah Lina Sparks. Information on the plays, along with cast and crew biographies are available on the Make/Believe webpage.

Make/Believe is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and by support from the NorthCenter Chamber of Commerce.

Make/Believe takes place outdoors on the last three Saturdays in July – July 16, 23 and 30, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. at NorthCenter Town Square (4100 N. Damen Ave., Chicago).

Nightlight is Ghostlight’s young audience series with original, adapted and forgotten plays geared toward children and the adults who love them. Ghostlight believes theatre can be a beacon for children, letting them know they aren’t alone in the world, giving them a sense of security and revealing the truth that in stories they can be anything they want to be. You’re never too young – or too old – for a nightlight.

Good to know: Transportation options if you're coming to 'The Woman of Colour'

The staged reading of our original script for The Woman of Colour: A Tale is coming up later this month at Berger Park Cultural Center in Edgewater. There are actually two mansions and a coach house on this property. Our production takes place in the building to the south on the property (known as the Downey Mansion, at 6205 N. Sheridan Road).

Berger Park does not have public parking; however there is a cul-de-sac on Granville Avenue on the south side of the park, which allows for handicap accessibility drop-off. Metered Street Parking is available on Granville Avenue and also on North Broadway. Permit-free neighborhood parking is also available on the streets just west of Sheridan Road.

Public transportation, bicycling or utilizing one of the city's ride-sharing or taxi cab companies is greatly encouraged.

Public transportation options include:

• Red Line Train: Granville stop. Exit station and walk three blocks east to the Lake.

• Bus: 151 Sheridan. Stops right in front of the park at Granville Avenue and Sheridan Road

Bike racks are also located throughout Berger Park.

We look forward to seeing you at this world premiere event!

Casting Call: Actors needed for Make/Believe festival

Ghostlight is seeking actors for its summer Make/Believe young audiences production. The production takes place the last three Saturdays of July and will be held outdoors. Actors will be expected to be in at least two short plays.

Character Descriptions
While actors of all backgrounds are welcome to apply, we are particularly seeking Filipino-American and Black women, as well as non-binary actors of all races.

Time Commitment
Performances are scheduled for the last three Saturdays in July: July 16, 23 & 30 with performances beginning at 2:30 p.m. and call about an hour before. A tech rehearsal is scheduled for July 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. Most actors will not have to be there the entire time. Performances and tech will be outside at the NorthCenter Town Square ( 4100 N. Damen Ave., Chicago).

Rehearsals will be scheduled around actor and director availability. We've asked directors to consider holding their early rehearsals virtually and to do in person rehearsals outside and masked. The average rehearsal load for this short play festival is usually 3 to 4 rehearsals.

Compensation
Actors will be paid a $100 stipend (total). The performances are free, so there are no formal comps.

How to Submit
Please email a resume and headshot to maria@ghostlightensemble.com. If we are familiar with your work, there will be no audition process. Others may be asked to do a private Zoom audition. Material will be provided and scheduled around your availability.

More info on the festival and shows can be found here.

Seeking directors for 2022 short play festival for young audiences

Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking directors for its third annual Make/Believe festival for young audiences set for live, outdoor performances the last three Saturdays in July.

The festival will feature seven short plays written by playwrights from around the country. A summary of the scripts is available on the 2022 Make/Believe page.

In particular we are seeking Filipino-American, Black female directors and non-binary directors, but encourage all BIPOC and LBGTQIA+ directors to apply. We welcome early career directors or actors interested in branching into directing and will provide a company mentor to help you through the process.

Rehearsals will be scheduled around cast and director availability. In order to keep the number of people involved to a minimum, a pool of actors will be used for all seven pieces.

A technical rehearsal is scheduled for July 12 from 6 to 9 p.m. (Pieces will be scheduled so directors will not be required to attend the entire tech.) Tech and performance will take place outside at the NorthCenter Town Square.

Directors will receive a $50 stipend.

Interested directors should submit a resume and a statement of interest with any additional relevant experience to Maria Burnham at maria@ghostlightensemble.com. Please use the following format in the email’s subject line: Nightlight Festival - [director’s name]

The deadline for submissions is April 18.

Make/Believe theatre festival for young audiences returns this summer live, outdoors

Ghostlight Ensemble brings its popular Make/Believe festival back to the stage in 2022 with seven short plays by playwrights from around the country to be presented live, outdoors in July.

This year’s curated festival features a mix of new and previously performed plays from past Make/Believe festivals, written by both local and national playwrights. The plays, as always, have been written for audiences 10 and under, but are meant to be enjoyed by all ages.

“We are thrilled to bring this festival back to live performances after having to go digital only in 2021,” said Maria Burnham, Make/Believe curator. “Nothing replaces being in the same space with our young audience members and their families and feeling the energy and excitement they bring to Make/Believe.”

The seven stories that make up this year’s festival are filled with young people, plants, puppies and a blue balloon who must face great obstacles to discover who (or what) they’re meant to be. From the Filipino-American girl who is trying to find her way home in Sunshine and the Sea of Lost Things to the littlest fish in the ocean proving all sizes matter in Krill’s Quest, the protagonists in these plays face the types of struggles modern children will recognize from their own lives.

All seven plays will be produced on each day of the festival at the new NorthCenter Town Square – an outdoor space in the heart of the NorthCenter neighborhood. Some seating will be available, but audience members are encouraged to bring their own chairs and picnics. The show is free, but donations are always appreciated.

 Selected scripts are Asherella by Lori Taylor, Best Friends by Adam Eugene Hurst, A Blue Hydrangea by Eric Braman, Can You Hear the Mermaids Singing? by Rachel Atkins, It's Poppin' by Steven San Luis, Krill’s Quest by Angelle Whavers and Sunshine and the Sea of Lost Things by Sarah Lina Sparks.

Make/Believe is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency and by support from the NorthCenter Chamber of Commerce. More information will be available on our website at www.ghostlightensemble.com/make-believe-2022.

Make/Believe takes place outdoors on the last three Saturdays in July – July 16, 23 and 30, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. at NorthCenter Town Square (4100 N. Damen Ave., Chicago).

Nightlight is Ghostlight’s young audience series with original, adapted and forgotten plays geared toward children and the adults who love them. Ghostlight believes theatre can be a beacon for children, letting them know they aren’t alone in the world, giving them a sense of security and revealing the truth that in stories they can be anything they want to be. You’re never too young – or too old – for a nightlight.

Call for scripts: Seeking short children's plays for 3nd annual Make/Believe festival

Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking short scripts (a maximum of 15 minutes) that are geared toward young audiences. Priority will be placed on scripts that are ethnically and culturally diverse, and written by writers of color and/or LGBTQ writers. This is open to playwrights in any geographic area, though writers in the greater Chicago area will receive priority. NO FEE.

Playwrights will receive $25 per selected script.

Selected plays will be produced summer of 2022 as part of the third annual Make/Believe festival of theatre for children under our Nightlight banner. (Learn more about the 2020 festival here and the 2021 festival here.) This for live, outdoor performances.

Please pay close attention to the script requirements. Scripts that do not meet the following criteria will not be considered. 

Requirements

• A maximum of 3 actors per script. There are no restrictions, however, on the number of characters. Please note, that while some directors have chosen to use child actors in past pieces, the intent of this festival is to perform for children, not with children.

• Plays must have no technical demands, as this will be outside and there is no lighting or backstage area and minimal sound cues will be available.

• Must fit our mission.

• Geared toward children 10 and under. Please, NO scripts about high school students.

• All props, set pieces and costumes must be easily made at home by actors (and children watching who want to stage their own productions at home).

• Pieces can be previously produced, but cannot have a production running concurrently with Make/Believe. 

Electronic submissions only, please. Submit cover letter with full contact information, short bio, brief synopsis of script including development and production history (if applicable) and full script to Maria Burnham at scripts@ghostlightensemble.com. Please use the following format in the email’s subject line: Nightlight Script Submission: [play name] - [playwright name]

The deadline for submissions is December 31, 2021.

Ghostlight honored to perform 'Miss Elizabeth Bennet' as part of JASNA's annual meeting

The Jane Austen Society of North American held its General Meeting in Chicago this year and as part of its celebration of Jane Austen in the Arts, Ghostlight Ensemble was asked to perform a staged reading of Miss Elizabeth Bennet, a little-known play by children’s author and playwright A.A. Milne.

Before Milne became famous for his children’s books about Winnie-the-Pooh, he was known as a playwright, and even after his stories from the Hundred Acre Wood he continued to write plays and content for adults. In the 1930s, Milne set out to write a play about Austen, but found instead found that “it was just Miss Elizabeth Bennet speaking.” Bennet is the central female character in Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. His play instead became an adaptation of the novel — one that preserved the wit and language of Austen, but colored with his own perspective.

Ghostlight’s staged reading of Miss Elizabeth Bennet was directed by Holly Robison and starred Song Marshall and Aaron Wertheim as Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy. It was presented as part of the General Meeting on Friday, October 15, 2021. More information on cast can be found here.

Sign up for theatre classes, part of the Make/Believe festival!

This year we’re offering two days of theatre classes as part of our Make/Believe festival for young audiences. Choose from Building the Character — Literally, Building the Story or Building the World.

This year an emphasis was placed on producing pieces for Make/Believe in a way that children watching at home would be able to replicate – so they could “play” Make/Believe at home. These three stage craft classes are mean to do just that - help this next generation of theatre artists craft their own stories and shows at home.

Please note these classes are currently scheduled to run concurrently, so students will only be able to choose one per day. Classes are scheduled for June 5 & 6 only. Details on the classes are available here.

Culturally Rich, Diverse Stories Spotlighted in 2nd Annual Festival for Young Audiences

“Sunshine And The Sea of Lost Things” is one of six plays that make up the 2021 Make/Believe festival. (From Left: Alexandra Alontaga, Roxy Adviento and Cooper Bohn)

A child with no memory lost at sea, a balloon afraid of soaring through the clouds, a splash of Black Girl Magic. Welcome to year two of Make/Believe, a theatre festival that challenges its young (and young-at-heart) audiences to indulge their imagination and open their minds to all the beautiful, complicated ways life presents itself.

The production features a mix of short plays by local and out-of-state playwrights that were written for audiences 10 and under, but which are also meant to be enjoyed by all ages. This year an emphasis was placed on producing pieces in a way that children watching at home would be able to replicate – so they could “play” Make/Believe at home. The festival has also expanded to include three classes centered around stage craft, to help this next generation of theatre artists craft their own stories and shows at home.

“Make/Believe includes the type of complex storytelling modern children expect from their entertainment,” said Maria Burnham, the curator and producer of Make/Believe. “This is theatre with a message, with deeper meaning, with conflict of morality; it is a reflection of the life they see around them every day.”

Last year’s Make/Believe festival proved wildly popular, with both shows selling out and waiting lists that had to be turned away. While the move to a digital presentation this year was necessitated by COVID-19, the added benefit is that there is no limit to the number of people who can attend and participate.

“While we’ve lost some of the magic that comes with being together, we’ve also loosened the barriers about who has access to both do and see theatre and that isn’t a bad trade,” Burnham said.

The six stories that make up this year’s Make/Believe festival are filled with young people, plants and a puppy who must face great obstacles to discover who (or what) they’re meant to be. From the Filipino-American girl who is trying to find her way home in Sunshine and the Sea of Lost Things to the pink hydrangea that knows it was born to be blue in A Blue Hydrangea, the protagonists in these plays face the types of struggles children will recognize from their own lives.

Rashaad A. Bond

“For me, the opportunity to direct for Ghostlight Ensemble is an opportunity to show children that grew up like me that there is a place for them in theatre,” said Rashaad A. Bond, director of Best Friends. “It is an opportunity to show them stories they can relate to not just because they are universal truths, but because the people they’re watching look like them as well.”

Selected scripts include:

• Best Friends, written by Dallas playwright Adam Eugene Hurst, is the story of Brooklyn a dog that wants nothing more but to play and be best friends with Chops. But Chops, a well-worn stuffed animal dog toy, wants nothing to do with that. Best Friends is directed by Rashaad A. Bond. Cast: Dara Brown and Clara Johnson.

• A Blue Hydrangea, written by Oregon playwright Eric Braman, takes place in the backyard of The Great Gardener Carole, as a hydrangea bush wakes up from its winter slumber. What has always been a fully pink hydrangea bush suddenly has a head of flowers that is blue. The flowers explore the concepts of identity, acceptance and vulnerability as they wait in fear of Carole’s judgement. Blue Hydrangea is directed by Alyssa Vera Ramos. Cast: Ariel Etana Triunfo and Will Pettway.

• The Friend Box and The Box Friend, written by Chicago playwright Kim Z. Dale, takes place during a school show-and-tell when two friends both bring a very different “friend in a box” as their item and an argument ensues. But both kids come to realize that friendship — even if it comes in virtual or stuffie form — is more important than being right. The Friend Box and The Box Friend is directed by Jonathan M. Saucedo. Cast: Tommy Blackburn, Heather Bronson, Meg Collins and Terri Hudson with Jean Burr, Christopher Mueller, Sydney Ray and Holly Robison.

• It's Poppin', written by Georgia playwright Steven San Luis, is the story of a young kid who is afraid of moving to a new city and finds themself talking to a blue balloon that is afraid of being let go. Together they find the courage to embrace the unknown ahead of them. It’s Poppin’ is directed by Rebecca Rose Schilsky. Cast: Levi Denton-Hughes and Emmett Wickersham.

• Splash of Magic, written by Chicago playwright Lori Taylor, is the tale of Diane, an 8-year-old Black girl who is scared to go in the pool without something to keep her afloat. When she discovers her Black Girl Magic, she realizes she can conquer any fear, as long as she believes in the magic that lives inside her. Splash of Magic is directed by Kayla V. White and Aria Caldwell. Cast: Aria Caldwell, Nick Conrad and Toma Lynn Smith.

• Sunshine and the Sea of Lost Things, written by California playwright Sarah Lina Sparks, follows a young mixed-race Filipino girl, Sunshine, who is stranded on a ship in the Sea of Lost Things. Joining her on the ship are two heroes, Peter and Anagolay, who must navigate her home — wherever that home may be — before she is lost at sea forever. Sunshine and the Sea of Lost Things is directed by Roxy Adviento. Cast: Alexandra Alontaga, Roxy Adviento and Cooper Bohn.

Stagecraft classes will also be available virtually for children as part of this year’s festival. Families can choose from Building the Character — Literally, Building the Story or Building the World. Please note these classes are currently scheduled to run concurrently, so students will only be able to choose one per day. Classes are scheduled for June 5 & 6 only.

More information — including bios, ticket information and class descriptions— is available on our website.

In late 2020, Ghostlight put out a call for scripts for young audiences that were ethnically and culturally diverse, written by writers of color and/or LGBTQ writers and that could be produced virtually. Over 100 short plays were submitted from writers all over the world. Final selections were made in February 2021.

The festival was crafted to appeal to all ages and its “live” weekend run is perfect for families looking for daytime entertainment during a time of year when outdoor events can be unpredictable. Make/Believe takes place Saturday, June 5 and Sunday, June 6, 2021, at 2 p.m. The performances will also be available to stream on-demand through Sunday, July 4.

Tickets are Pay-What-You-Will, with a minimum donation of $1, but a suggested donation of $10 for the performance and $5 per class. By donating more, patrons help offset the cost for those who can’t afford to give.

Nightlight is Ghostlight’s young audience series with original, adapted and forgotten plays geared toward children and the adults who love them. Ghostlight believes theatre can be a beacon for children, letting them know they aren’t alone in the world, giving them a sense of security and revealing the truth that in stories they can be anything they want to be. You’re never too young – or too old – for a nightlight.

Ghostlight closes out For Your (Re)Consideration series with dissection of the cruel dynamics of love

Holly Robison

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the final play in its series on historically overlooked female playwrights, The Enchantment. The play by the Swedish writer Victoria Benedictsson is a fascinating examination of a woman's capacity for love and yearning for a sense of her own self.

Director Holly Robison is excited to finally be able to share this play she’s loved for years with an audience. The Enchantment tackles issues that are deeply personal to those in the theatre — the importance of a professional or artistic purpose in life, and how it can affect self-worth, relationships and power dynamics.

“What is the cost of worshipping the great artist? Who gets to be a great artist? We are still dealing with that idea now...what do we excuse, what do we let slide when it comes to the notion of the great genius?” Robison said. “How are women personally and professionally lessened, shut out or disempowered by this notion?”

As part of her preparations for this performance, Robinson said she’s been considering what the play means to audiences now.

“How do we continue to look at the classics — the ‘canon’, or historical pieces — when we mine them to speak to us today, to help us understand where we came from and where we are?” she said. “In particular, when we consider how they examine or rethink the roles of women and gender and different kinds of relationships, we’re still usually looking at plays by men.” 

During the time The Enchantment was written, a new school of writing was emerging that focused on realism. It examined radical or scandalous new takes on gender, sex, marriage, etc., and created some of the most iconic female characters in theatre – Nora, Hedda Gabler, Miss Julie. But these characters and ideas are continually filtered through the male perspective, Robison said.

“We keep revisiting them but we’re ignoring a female voice that was writing then, the woman that was the inspiration for these new perspectives,” she said.

Victoria Benedictsson's play, written shortly before her suicide in 1888 and inspired by her own life, is about an obsessive, tragic love affair that asks questions about a woman's agency, independence and passion in the balance of a relationship and its aftermath. One sunny day in Paris, Gustave Alland, famous artist and philanderer, visits Louise Strandberg, who is convalescing in her brother's studio, and casts her effortlessly under his spell. In a vain attempt to escape, she exiles herself to her provincial hometown in Sweden. But a letter propels her back to Paris and into his arms. And for a brief moment, ecstasy is hers.

The cast is: Andrew Bosworth, Rebecca Flores, Madeline Pell, Nina Romeo, Janice Rumschluag, Daniel Stewart and Robert Von. 

Robison curated the For Your (Re)Consideration reading series and serves as Producing Director with Ghostlight Ensemble. For Ghostlight, she also directed An Ideal Husband, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, as well as wearing a variety of hats in other productions. Holly is a Chicago-based director, actor and improvisor. 

Full bios of the actors, director and playwright will be available on Ghostlight’s website at http://www.ghostlightensemble.com/the-enchantment.

The initial broadcast of The Enchantment takes place over Zoom at 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 2, and a talkback with the director will take place immediately following. A recording of the performance will be available to stream through May 7.

Tickets are pay what you will, with a minimum of $5 per reading and the average donation for such virtual offerings at $15. Tickets are available on our website at GhostlightEnsemble.com/For-Your-Reconsideration. Please make sure to select the production and performance you are interested in receiving a link to view.

The Enchantment by Victoria Benedictsson, translated by Clare Bayley, is available by arrangement with Nick Hern Books for an amateur reading. (Please note: This is a professional quality staged reading. This language was dictated by the British publisher for our non-Equity reading.)

Featuring a variety of distinct voices and styles from different historical periods, For Your (Re)Consideration seeks to bring attention to remarkable women who have been sidelined by history for reasons that had nothing to do with their talent and everything to do with their gender and, in many cases, their race.

The initial play in the series, The Convent of Pleasure, written by Margaret Cavendish and directed by Andrew Coopman, premiered on April 2 and is now streaming on-demand, as is Distinguished Villa, written by Kate O’Brien and directed by Elizabeth Lovelady, which premiered on April 11; Mine Eyes Have Seen by Alice Dunbar Nelson and War Brides by Marion Craig Wentworth, both directed by Angelisa Gillyard, which premiered on April 18; and Warp and Woof written by Edith Lyttelton and directed by Christina Casano, which premiered on April 25.

Find out more about For Your (Re)Consideration and the entire 2020-2021 Season at GhostlightEnsemble.com.

Ghostlight Ensemble is a registered 501(c)3 nonprofit theatre whose mission it is to ask questions that challenge the status quo through timeless stories, immersive environments and unconventional staging.

'Warp and Woof' asks: Why are essential members of society considered so replaceable?

Christina Casano

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the penultimate play in its series on historically overlooked female playwrights, Warp and Woof. The play by the British novelist and playwright Edith Lyttelton scrutinizes the ethics of power, commerce and labor in a deeply unequal society.

Though written in 1904, Warp and Woof remains startlingly relevant, according to director Christina Casano. Over the last year, society has had to classified grocery store workers, public transit workers, streets and sanitation workers, factory workers and the like as “essential” — and yet many of them are paid minimum wage at most, and treated as if they are easily replaceable, she explained. 

“This play questions the assumption of who deserves rest, leisure, love and protection,” Casano said. “It also asks who is entitled to our time, and whose time we are entitled to.

“People working in service positions should not be expected to bend over backwards and be on call for those that are wealthy. They should not be expected to do that for paying customers of any status, because there is a difference between professionally fulfilling the needs and expectations of a job, and being asked to do the impossible day after day.”

Warp and Woof contrasts the lives of upper crust London society with the lives of the poor dressmakers who work long hours in a sweatshop to provide those elite with the latest fashions as fast as possible. The play asks important questions about what we require from those who labor to support our lifestyle. 

The cast is: Justin Broom, Norm Burt, Song Marshall, Sydney Ray, Kylie Anderson, Eileen Doan, Jay Españo, Reagan James, Serina Johnston, Stephen McClure, Cat McKay, Nevada Montgomery, Jessye Mueller and Brittani Yawn 

Casano is the Artistic Director of The Plagiarists. Her training includes a B.A. in theatre from Miami University and the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey's Summer Professional Training Program. She was selected for Victory Gardens Theater’s Directors Inclusion Initiative for the 2019-2020 season, and served as the assistant director for How To Defend Yourself.    

Full bios of the actors, director and playwright will be available here.

The initial broadcast of Warp and Woof takes place over Zoom at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 25, and a talkback with the director will take place immediately following. A recording of the performance will be available to stream through May 9.

Tickets are pay what you will, with a minimum of $5 per reading and the average donation for such virtual offerings at $15. Tickets are available on our website at GhostlightEnsemble.com/For-Your-Reconsideration. Please make sure to select the production and performance you are interested in receiving a link to view.

Featuring a variety of distinct voices and styles from different historical periods, For Your (Re)Consideration seeks to bring attention to remarkable women who have been sidelined by history for reasons that had nothing to do with their talent and everything to do with their gender and, in many cases, their race. The series is curated by Ensemble Member Holly Robison. 

The initial play in the series, The Convent of Pleasure, written by Margaret Cavendish and directed by Andrew Coopman, premiered on April 2 and is now streaming on-demand, as is Distinguished Villa, written by Kate O’Brien and directed by Elizabeth Lovelady, which premiered on April 11; and Mine Eyes Have Seen by Alice Dunbar Nelson and War Brides by Marion Craig Wentworth, both directed by Angelisa Gillyard, which premiered on April 18.

The final play in the series, The Enchantment by Victoria Benedictsson, adapted by Clare Bayley and directed by Holly Robison, is set to premiere at 2 p.m. on May 2.

Find out more about For Your (Re)Consideration and the entire 2020-2021 Season at GhostlightEnsemble.com.

For Your (Re)Consideration in The Chicago Reader

Ghostlight’s For Your (Re)Consideration is featured in this week’s The Chicago Reader.

As a whole, the (Re)Consideration series is about challenging the idea that anything outside the heteronormative, white male creative realm is in any way "revolutionary" or a product of recent culture.

Check out the entire article here.