Power of believing in one’s self takes center stage for theatre festival for young audiences

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 is written by Chicago playwright Lori Taylor and directed by Lo Williams. 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. Starring: Sydney Ray, Toma Lynn Smith and Hannah Strauss.

·                Hannah and Halmoni Save the World! is written by Chicago playwright Juliet Kang Huneke and is directed by Karina Patel. 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. Starring: Rick Hilscher, Kristen Lin Waagner and Emily Zhang.

·                The Edge of Play is written by Utah playwright Janine Sobeck Knighton and directed by Eileen Tull. 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. Starring: Christine Marie and Kaela Rosenbaum.

·                Finding Belief is written by Portland playwright Kwik Jones and directed by Kate Sullivan Coombs. 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? Starring: Alexis Aranda, Josh Bomba, Nick Conrad and Rissa Montañez.

·                Guardian of the House (Τόπακας) is written by Chicago playwright and Ghostlight Ensemble Member Maria Burnham and directed by Whitney Minarik. 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. Starring Rose Leisner and Gina Sanfillipo.

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. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own chairs and picnics. The show is free, but donations are always appreciated. However, some limited reserve seating is available via Eventbrite.

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. More information will be available on our website at www.ghostlightensemble.com/make-believe-2023.

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. 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 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. As an ensemble-based theatre, Ghostlight is made up of individual artists who are dedicated to collaborative creation and committed to working together consistently over years to develop a distinctive body of work. We welcome you to learn more about us at GhostlightEnsemble.com.

Seeking directors for 2023 short play festival for young audiences

Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking directors for its fourth annual Make/Believe festival for young audiences set for live, outdoor performances in May and June.

The festival will feature five short plays written by playwrights from Chicago and around the country. A summary of the scripts is available on the 2023 Make/Believe page.

In particular we are seeking Korean American, Greek American and Black 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.

A technical rehearsal is scheduled for May 25 from 5 to 10 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.

Performances are Saturday & Sunday May 27-28 and Saturday & Sunday June 3-4 (Tentative schedule: Set up at 12:30 p.m., Performance at 1:30 p.m. Load out by 4 p.m.).

Directors will receive a $50 stipend.

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

The deadline for submissions is April 1.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Plays selected for Make/Believe festival in June

A talking balloon, a girl stranded in the Sea of Lost Things, a school show and tell via Zoom. Welcome to the scripts that make up Make/Believe 2021.

Make/Believe is a theatre festival that challenges its young – and young at heart – audiences to throw out the way things have always been done and indulge their imagination.

More than 100 scripts were submitted from all over the world for consideration in 2021’s festival. The short plays had to be adaptable to both virtual and live performances. Script selection was made earlier this month. Performances are scheduled for June.

Selected scripts include:

• Best Friends, by Dallas playwright Adam Eugene Hurst, tells 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.

• A Blue Hydrangea, 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 are blue. The flowers explore the concepts of identity, acceptance and vulnerability as they wait in fear of Carole’s judgement.

• The Friend Box and The Box Friend, 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.

• It's Poppin' , by Georgia playwright Steven San Luis, is the story of a young girl who is afraid of moving to a new city and a blue balloon that is afraid of being let go. Together they find the courage to embrace the unknown ahead of them.

• Splash of Magic, by Chicago playwright Lori Taylor, teaches boys and girls to overcome their fears by believing in themselves. Diane is an eight-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.

• Sunshine and the Sea of Lost Things, 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.

Auditions Announced for Live Movie Reading Series

Ghostlight Ensemble announces auditions for the second quarter of its Live Movie Reading Series. Please state which movie reading you wish to audition for in your submission. Actors may be considered for multiple readings.

The Live Movie Reading Series is a low-key and fun, staged reading of some of our favorite movies. These readings are fundraisers for local nonprofits. Past recipients have included Common Pantry, Girl Forward and New Leash on Life, among others.

There is no pay for any of these readings.

Character Descriptions
Seeking a strong ethnically diverse cast of all genders, ages, shapes and sizes that is representative of the city in which we live.

We're looking for actors who love these movies, love having fun and who can also read. Those are literally the only requirements. Please note that we prefer a greater diversity in our casts for these movies than the original directors did and that the genders of our actors do not always match those of the actors in the films.

Time Commitment
In general, the live movie reading series involves an initial gathering to watch the movie that is being performed and two rehearsals. There is no tech. All performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays at Carbon Arc Bar and Board (located at the Davis movie theater in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago).

Performance dates and movies are as follows:

• April 27, 2020: Drop Dead Gorgeous

• May 18, 2020: Legally Blonde

• June 29, 2020: The Big Lebowski (Please note, the role of Walter has been cast.)

Materials To Prepare
Actors are asked to prepare a comedic monologue from their favorite movie, no longer than 1 minute. These monologues do not need to be memorized (as the performances are read and not memorized), but must be acted and staged to the best of your ability.

The audition date is March 21 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Mayfair branch of the Chicago Public Library.

Please submit your headshot and resume to Jean at casting@ghostlightensemble.com, and she will be in touch. Please indicate any time restrictions you have for the audition period in your email.

The power of imagination takes center stage in Ghostlight’s festival of new works for young audiences

Cereal royalty, a monster that eats words, the source of all black girl magic, a unique bird that tastes bad. Welcome to Make/Believe, a theatre festival that challenges its young – and young at heart – audiences to throw out the way things have always been done and indulge their imagination.

The production features a mix of short plays by local and out-of-state playwrights that were written for audiences 12 and under, but which are also meant to be enjoyed by all ages.

“Make/Believe is an expansion of our Nightlight young audiences series, which has always sought to tell compelling stories for children that do not talk down to them, but help make sense of the world around them while also letting them know that it is still OK to play,” said Maria Burnham, Ghostlight’s co-artistic director.  

The eight stories that make up this year’s Make/Believe festival are filled with young women who turn convention on its head. From the young heroines in Epic Tales from the Land of Melanin who reclaim their own stories – and the power that comes along with them – to that classic victim of folklore, Little Red Riding Hood, who decides a feminist fairy tale is more her style, the heroines of these plays face the types of figurative monsters modern children will recognize from their own lives.

Selected scripts include:

• Asherella, by Chicago playwright Lori Taylor, is a take on Cinderella where the heroines are African-American females and the person rescued is a young white male. Asher lives at home with his cruel stepmother and cruel stepbrothers. With the help of The One, an African-American magical being who is the source of all black girl magic, Asher is able to escape his cruel family and live in the castle with the ruler of the queendom. Asherella is directed by Laila Rodriques.

• In Ava’s First Escape Room, by Chicago playwright Kim Z. Dale, Ava, Jack and Gus are locked together in an escape room as an optional add on to a school field trip. The strange thing about this escape room is there is nothing in it: No puzzles or clues to solve. To make matters worse, Ava and the boys are not friends. As the boys loudly and ineffectually try to bust out of the room, Ava gets tired of dealing with them, and takes matters into her own hands. Ava’s First Escape Room is directed by Jill Olson Stuck.

• Based on histories of real-life women of color and non-Eurocentric fairytales, Epic Tales from the Land of Melanin tells a hilarious, imaginative adventure tale of three girl warrior-explorers taking on the world. Along the journey, our fierce young heroes must attempt to reclaim the power that was stolen from them and their people. Epic Tales From the Land of Melanin was originally devised by Chicago artists Guadalís Del Carmen, Mariana Green, Brandi Lee, Maya Mackrandilal, Enid Muñoz, Alyssa Vera Ramos, Deanalís Resto, Ana Velazquez and Teresa Zoríc with FEMelanin; and is directed by Deanalís Resto.

• Little Red Reboot, by New York playwright Sonya Sobieski, is a modern mash-up of the Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks tales, in which two rebellious females we think we already know break the rules of storytelling and theatre to get to a happy ending. Little Red Reboot is directed by Kristin Schoenback.

• The Queen of Cocoa Puffs and the Cap’n Crunch King, by Brooklyn playwright Corey Pajka, is the story of what happens when a pair of sovereign siblings sit down for breakfast with two hearty appetites and one cereal box between them. A battle cry is heard across the kingdom of New Brunswick. There will be blood—and perhaps orange juice. The Queen of Cocoa Puffs and the Cap’n Crunch King is directed by John Gleason Teske.

• Scaredy Friends is the story of a small girl and a monster that eats her words when she screams. But it turns out the monster isn’t evil — like the little girl, it is scared. This discovery, told through words and physical theatre, changes the course of their relationship forever. Scaredy Friends is written and directed by Chicago performing artist Carolyn Minor.

• Snow White, Who Is Also Called Becky, No Rebecca...and the Frog Prince, by Oak Park-based playwrights Jack Helbig and Margaret Helbig, is the story of a father and a daughter who collaborate on the writing of an original fairy tale. Unfortunately, they have different ideas of what makes a good fairy tale. Fortunately, they keep writing. Snow White, Who Is Also Called Becky, No Rebecca...and the Frog Prince is directed by Lizzy May.

• Stinky Bird, by Los Angeles playwright Seth Freeman, is the story of a young bird who is forced to come to terms with her unique and challenging background. Stinky Bird is directed by Jackie Bowes.

All eight plays will be produced on both days of the festival. The festival is curated by Ghostlight Ensemble Co-Artistic Director Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight put out a call for scripts for young audiences that featured strong female characters and collected submissions from around the world during the fall of 2019. Over 350 short plays were submitted. Final selections were made in late November.

The festival was crafted to appeal to all ages and its weekend run is perfect for families looking for live, daytime entertainment during a time of year when family-friendly activities are not as plentiful. Make/Believe takes place Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23, 2020, at 2 p.m. at Laugh Out Loud Theater Chicago in the North Center neighborhood (3851 N. Lincoln Ave.). Tickets are on sale now via Brown Paper Tickets: $15 adults, $5 children 12 and under, or $25 family of four.

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.

Plays announced for Make/Believe festival in February

Ghostlight has announced the scripts that will be performed as part of the Make/Believe, a short play festival for young audiences, scheduled for February 22 and 23, 2020, at Laugh Out Loud Theater in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago. 

The plays, geared towards children 12 and under, all have one unifying feature – strong female characters.

Selected scripts are:

• Asherella by Lori Taylor

• Ava's First Escape Room by Kim Z. Dale

• Epic Tales From the Land of Melanin originally devised by Guadalís Del Carmen, Mariana Green, Brandi Lee, Maya Mackrandilal, Enid Muñoz, Alyssa Vera Ramos, Deanalís Resto, Ana Velazquez and Teresa Zoríc with FEMelanin

• Little Red Reboot by Sonya Sobieski

• The Queen of Cocoa Puffs and the Cap'n Crunch King by Corey Pajka

• Scaredy Friends by Carolyn Minor

• Snow White, Who Is Also Called Becky, No Rebecca...and the Frog Prince by Jack Helbig and Margaret Helbig

• Stinky Bird by Seth Freeman

Auditions for Make/Believe take place in January. Find out more here.

Auditions Announced for Live Movie Reading Series and Make/Believe short play festival

Ghostlight Ensemble announces joint auditions for the first quarter of its Live Movie Reading Series and for its young audiences play festival, Make/Believe. Actors may audition for one of both of the programs. Please state which program you wish to audition for in your submission. Actors may be considered for multiple short plays and multiple movies.

The Live Movie Reading Series is a low-key and fun, staged reading of some of our favorite movies. These readings are fundraisers for local nonprofits. Past recipients have included Common Pantry, Girl Forward and New Leash on Life, among others.

Make/Believe is part of our Nightlight young audiences series and is a curated festival of short plays by playwrights from around the country. The plays, geared towards children 12 and under, all have one unifying feature – strong female characters.

There is no pay for any of these shows.

Character Descriptions
Seeking a strong ethnically diverse cast of all genders, ages, shapes and sizes that is representative of the city in which we live.

For the Live Movie Reading series, we're looking for actors who love these movies and who can also read. Those are literally the only requirements. Please note that we prefer a greater diversity in our casts for these movies than the original directors did and that the genders of our actors do not always match those of the actors in the films.

For Make/Believe, actors with previous experience working with children will receive preference in scheduling. All actors must have a love of good stories, a sense of fun and an imagination to rival any 5-year-old. Most of the pieces in this festival involve some level of interaction with the audience, so actors must be comfortable interacting with children and their guardians.

Time Commitment
Live Movie Reading Series:
In general, the live movie reading series involves an initial gathering to watch the movie that is being performed and two rehearsals. There is no tech. All performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays at Carbon Arc Bar and Board (located at the Davis movie theater in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago).

Performance dates and movies are as follows:

• January 27, 2020: 10 Things I Hate About You

• February 17, 2020: Charlie's Angels (2000 version)

• March 23, 2020: Back To The Future

Make/Believe Festival:
Directors will set rehearsal dates and times around actor availability. These are 15-minute (or less) pieces and should require a minimal number of rehearsals.

Tech is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2020. Specific time slots will be scheduled for each piece and actors are not expected to be there all day.

Performance times are:

• Saturday, February 22, 2020

• Sunday, February 23, 2020

All pieces will be performed both days. Performances start at 2 p.m. and will be held at Laugh Out Loud Theater in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago.

Materials To Prepare
Actors auditioning for the Live Movie Reading series are asked to prepare a monologue from their favorite movie, no longer than 1 minute. These monologues do not need to be memorized (as the performances are read and not memorized), but must be acted and staged to the best of your ability.

Actors auditioning for Make/Believe will be given sides to read. Please note that you will be in consideration for all the scripts in the festival, even if you are only reading sides for one particular piece.

The audition date is January 11, 2020, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago.

Please submit your headshot and resume to Jean at casting@ghostlightensemble.com, and she will be in touch with sides and an audition appointment. Please indicate any time restrictions you have for the audition period in your email.

Ghostlight seeking directors for short play festival

Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking directors for its Make/Believe festival set for February 22 and 23 in the NorthCenter neighborhood of Chicago.

The short play festival geared toward young audiences is part of our Nightlight program and will feature scripts by playwrights from around the country.

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 December 15, 2019.

Seeking script submission for a children's play festival

Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking short scripts (a maximum of 15 minutes) with strong female characters that are geared toward young audiences (under 12). Priority will be placed on scripts that are ethnically and culturally diverse, that do not require complicated sets or costumes and that fit our mission. This is open to playwrights in any geographic area. NO FEE.

Selected plays will be produced as part of a festival of theatre for children under our Nightlight banner in early February.

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 November 1, 2019.

Final two performances of The Selfish Giant begin Saturday

The final two performance of our all ages show, The Selfish Giant, are Saturday, July 29 at 1 p.m. and Sunday, July 30 at 11 a.m. Join us for this wildly inventive show that has been captivating audience members from babies to grandparents.

Come make some paper plate gardens with us, learn why walls are a bad idea and welcome children with open arms. There are many good lessons to be learned from Oscar Wilde.

You can get your tickets in advance here or at the door.

Introduce your children to the world of The Selfish Giant

If you're looking for live entertainment that's appropriate for the entire family, The Selfish Giant, which opens this weekend, is a tale for all ages — and one of the Hot Shows to see in June.

Weaving movement and words into a highly physical form of storytelling, our intimate production tells the tale of an angry giant who builds a wall to keep children off his land, but discovers the perils of isolation and the negative  consequences of selfishness.

Curious about our physical story-making process? Watch this video to learn more.  

The show's weekend runs are perfect for families looking for live, daytime entertainment. The Selfish Giant runs June 8-30 on Saturdays at 1 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. at Otherworld Theatre in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago (3914 N. Clark St., 60613). 

Tickets are on sale now: $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under, or $25 family of four.

In A World Where Trees Talk And Giants Walk, Why Not A Set That Lives And Breathes?

In Ghostlight Ensemble’s latest production, actors throw their whole selves – literally – into telling the story of a giant who brings on a perpetual winter in an effort to keep his land to himself. The Selfish Giant, which opens June 8, is a physical theatre reimagining of the Oscar Wilde short story of the same name.

Weaving movement and words into a highly physical form of storytelling, this intimate production tells the tale of an angry giant who builds a wall to keep children off his land, but discovers the perils of isolation and the negative consequences of selfishness.

“The themes of this story, originally published in 1888, resonate with modern audiences, tackling issues that we are still very much grappling with,” said Maria Burnham, the playwright and a co-director of the production. “The story is almost too relevant.”

This production removes the religious overtones of Wilde’s original short story and replaces it with a morality tale that focuses on character redemption and the power of love. It also moves the story off the page by relying solely on the actors who are telling it, illustrating to the audience another theme of the story – how much better we can be when we all work together.

The adaptation uses a chorus to embody human characters and mythical beasts. The actors build the world of trees, birds, benches and beasts with their bodies.

“Physical theatre is really much more about, not a singular person, but what a group can provide you. What can we build together as opposed to one person standing and saying ‘Hey I’m a giant’ or ‘I’m a tree’,” said Miona Lee, co-director and movement choreographer for the production. “The story itself is very much about inclusiveness and the way we’re building our world as well is really inclusive.”

The Selfish Giant was part of a collection of stories for children by Oscar Wilde, The Happy Prince and Other Tales, first published in May 1888. In the story, the selfish giant builds a wall around his beautiful garden to keep children out. By doing so, he creates a perpetual winter in the garden, because no other season wanted to be part of his selfish endeavor. Then one morning, a special child brings spring back, and the giant’s heart melts along with the snow.

The Selfish Giant stars Jean E. Burr as Lydia and Tamsen Glaser, Molly Gloeckner, Sophia Hail, Nate Hall, Sarah-Lucy Hill, Song Marshall, Daniela Martinez, Maggie Blair Smith and Zoe Savransky as a chorus of characters.

The show was crafted to appeal to all ages and its weekend runs are perfect for families looking for live, daytime entertainment. The Selfish Giant runs June 8-30 on Saturdays at 1 p.m. and Sundays at 11 a.m. at Otherworld Theatre in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago (3914 N. Clark St., 60613) Tickets are on sale now: $10 adults, $5 children 12 and under, or $25 family of four.

The Selfish Giant is part of Ghostlight’s summer Nightlight series.

Nightlight is Ghostlight’s summer 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.

Tickets on sale for The Selfish Giant

Actors have begun rehearsals for The Selfish Giant, which runs in June at Otherworld Theatre in Lakeview.

Tickets are on sale now for The Selfish Giant, a physical theatre production that will mesmerize audiences of all ages.

This story of a giant who builds a wall to keep children off his land runs during the month of June at Otherworld Theatre and is geared toward all ages.

Tickets are available through Brown Paper Tickets and are $5 for children, $10 for adults or $25 for a family of four.

You can also obtain tickets through our Go Fund Me Campaign. The Garden, Ogre, North Wind and Giant levels all come with tickets to the show, along with a host of other goodies. Learn more Becoming a Generous Giant for Children's Theatre here.

Based on Oscar Wilde's short story of the same name, The Selfish Giant illustrates the perils of isolation and the negative consequences of selfishness, but it also teaches us that it is never too late for redemption and for love.