Vivanco balances pain, comedy and a fancy hat in latest role

Actress Alejandra Vivanco, center, stars as the Stepdaughter in Ghostlight Ensemble's production of Six Characters in Search of an Author.

Evanston-based actress Alejandra Vivanco is ready to lead audiences on a roller coaster ride of emotions in her latest role as the Stepdaughter in Ghostlight Ensemble's production of "Six Characters in Search of an Author," which opens Friday.

"I think there is definitely comedy in all this pain that these characters portray," she said. "There is obviously a difference between how the director and her actors handle themselves on stage and how the characters behave in the space."

Read more about Alejandra and her work on Six Characters in Search of an Author in the Chicago Tribune and the Evanston Patch.

Introducing Norman J. Burt

Norman is a last minute replacement for the role of The Father in Six Characters in Search of an Author. He comes to Chicago by way of South Carolina, where he studied theatre performance in college. You may have seen him around town doing improv with various and assorted groups. We’re thankful to Norman for stepping into this challenging role at the last minute.

As previously noted, we’ve pushed back our opening from April 7 to April 14, which will give Norman more time to settle into this role. Thanks to our audiences for their patience during this transition.

Palliza blurs reality, fiction on stage in her latest role

Emma Palizza, left, rehearses for a scene in Six Characters in Search of an Author, which opens later this month.

Actress Emma Palizza drew from her lengthy theatrical resume to create the character she plays in her latest production, Ghostlight Ensemble's Six Characters in Search of an Author.

"Emily is insane. She is a combination of every annoying actor-y actor I've come in contact with and it's a fun way to parody that sense of entitlement and ridiculousness," Palizza said.

Read more about Emma and her work on Six Characters in Search of an Author in the Chicago Tribune and the Lakeview Patch.

Opening night for 'Six Characters in Search of an Author' rescheduled

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Ghostlight Ensemble will push back the opening of Six Characters in Search of an Author, in order to fully execute the creative team's vision.

The first three performances, originally scheduled for April 7-9, will now be used as preview weekend. Opening night will be Friday, April 14.

Previews are a set of public performances that precede an official opening. The purpose of previews is to allow the director and crew to identify problems and opportunities for improvement that weren't found during rehearsals and to make adjustments before critics are invited to attend.

Previews are performed in front of an audience and the public is welcome to attend. However, please note that because previews are technically the last stage of a rehearsal process, the show attendees see during previews may not be the finished product. Changes can, and are often made between preview and opening.

We deeply regret any inconvenience this causes. Individuals who have already reserved tickets will be contacted by our box office to arrange another date for attending. Any questions can also be directed to the box office at (773) 377-5342 or to info@ghostlightensemble.com.

Six Characters in Search of an Author runs April 14 to May 7 on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays at Voice of the City in Logan Square. Preview performances are April 7-9.

In Luigi Pirandello's classic metatheatrical play, six characters come looking for life and find the theatre world acutely unable to make them real. Ghostlight Ensemble's production will examine the institutional racism and biases found in modern theatre and leaves the audience wondering if they were watching a show, or were they, in fact, the show.

Patrons may reserve their tickets in advance. There is no charge to reserve a seat, however there is a suggested donation of $15 for regular performance and $5 for preview performance, which can be paid in advance or at the door via cash or credit. This helps us cover the cost of rehearsal and performance spaces, as well as costumes, props and set construction.

Cast and crew bios are now available online.

Feed your belly, help the arts

Join us on Thursday, March 23, 2017, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lincoln Square Potbelly (4709 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625) for a delicious fundraiser to support our spring show, Six Characters in Search of an Author.

Potbelly will donate 25 percent of net sales during that time to Ghostlight. You don't need any special paperwork or flyers or code words or secret handshakes, just come in, order and eat.

Ensemble and Six Characters cast members will be on hand, as well. So come say hello and let's break bread — or better yet a Dream Bar — together. 

Casting, production team announced for 'Six Characters in Search of an Author'

Luigi Pirandello

Ghostlight Ensemble announces casting for its spring show, Luigi Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author.

The cast is: Joshua Arroyo, Jean E. Burr*, Ana Dragovich, Nellsyn Hill, Heather L. Jencks, Miona Lee*, Matthew Lloyd, Emma Palizza, Jason Pereira, Chuck Quinn IV, Andy Ricci, Kara Rivera and Alejandra Vivanco.

The production team includes: Maria Burnham* (Director), Chad Wise* (Producer), Lisa Uhlig* (Stage Manager), Katy Vest (Costume Designer), Tim Lee (Set Designer) and Carolyn Minor (Props Designer).

In Pirandello's classic metatheatrical play, six characters come looking for life and find the theatre world acutely unable to make them real. Ghostlight Ensemble's production will examine the institutional racism and biases found in modern theatre and leaves the audience wondering if they were watching a show, or were they, in fact, the show.

Six Characters in Search of an Author — which looks at the relationship between authors, characters, actors, directors and audience — takes on new relevance in this age of reality television when fiction is often realer than reality.

"Pirandello said theatre should not be archeology, it should be adapted to contemporary ideas," said director Maria Burnham. "He wanted his work to remain relevant. With Six Characters we have this unique opportunity to use a play that has been performed for more than 90 years to examine what is happening in Chicago theatre today without any significant changes to the text."

Six Characters in Search of an Author is being produced in conjunction with Voice of the City.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of Pirandello's birth and Ghostlight will commemorate the milestone with a short play festival in May, Six Authors in Search of a Character, in which six Chicago authors pen 10-minute plays around the “missing” character in The Mountain Giants, Luigi Pirandello’s final, unfinished play.

"Pirandello continues to inspire artists 150 years after his birth, and this play festival will be an ideal opportunity for people to see that inspiration made reality," Burnham added.

The festival is curated by Ghostlight Ensemble Member Miona Lee.

Tickets are now available for Six Characters in Search of an Author, which runs April 7 through May 7 at Voice of the City in Logan Square.  

Please note: Voice of the City is not handicap accessible. The performance venue is on the second floor and there is no elevator access. Ample street parking is available, and Voice of the City studio is only blocks away from the Logan Square Blue Line stop, as well as the Milwaukee, Kimball and Diversey bus lines. 

Patrons are encouraged to reserve their tickets in advance. There is no charge to reserve a seat, however there is a suggested donation of $15, which can be paid at the door via cash or credit. This helps us cover the cost of rehearsal and performance spaces, as well as costumes, props and set construction.

*Denotes a Ghostlight Ensemble Member.

Join us for an oversized dose of Girl Power in February!

From left: Emma Palizza as Posh, Jean E. Burr as Sporty, Song Marshall as Scary, Caitlin Jackson as Ginger and Carrie Campana as Baby

Ghostlight Ensemble presents a live reading of the Spice World screenplay, complete with our Spices singing all the Girl Power hits that you know and love from this modern cinematic classic.

Spice World is a British musical comedy starring the 1990s pop sensation known as the Spice Girls (who all play over-the-top versions of themselves in the movie). The lighthearted comedy follows the girls on a series of events leading up to their first live concert to be held at London's Royal Albert Hall, with plenty of dream sequences, flashbacks, flashforwards and surreal moments scattered in between.

Our cast includes: Caitlin Jackson as Geri (Ginger); Song Marshall as Mel B (Scary); Jean E. Burr as Mel C (Sporty); Carrie Campana as Emma (Baby) and Emma Palizza as Victoria (Posh), with Mark Lancaster as Clifford/ Richard E. Grant; Pearl Paramadilok as Nicola; Noah Berman as Piers/ Alan Cumming; Holly Robison as Deborah/ Claire Rushbrook and various female roles; Chad Wise as Dennis, Movie Producer and Damien/ Richard O'Brien; Sean Harklerode as The Chief, Kevin McMaxford, Mr. Step and Elton John;  Kirk Jackson as Enzo/ David Fahm, Brad, Elvis Costello and various male roles; and Christopher Paul Mueller as Graydon, Jess/ Steven O'Donnel, Bob Geldof and various male roles.

Grab a pint and join us for this one-night only event that takes place at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, in the backroom of the Rugby Pub (formerly Black Rock), 3614 N. Damen Ave., Chicago.

There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door, which will help Ghostlight pay for its spring show, Six Characters in Search of an Author.

Tickets now available for Six Characters in Search of an Author

Tickets are now available for Ghostlight Ensemble's spring show, Six Characters in Search of an Author, by Luigi Pirandello.

Patrons are encouraged to reserve their tickets in advance. There is no charge to reserve a seat, however there is a suggested donation of $15, which can be paid at the door via cash or credit. This helps us cover the cost of rehearsal and performance spaces, as well as costumes, props and set construction.

In Six Characters in Search of an Author, six characters from an unfinished play come looking for life and find the theatre world acutely unable to make them real. Ghostlight Ensemble's production examines the institutional racism and biases found in modern theatre and leaves the audience wondering if they were watching a show, or were they, in fact, the show.

Six Character in Search of an Author runs April 7 through May 7 and is being produced in conjunction with Voice of the City.

Casting Notice: Child Actor Needed for Spring Production

Ghostlight Ensemble is seeking an actor for the role of The Boy for its production of Six Characters in Search of an Author. This is an unpaid, non-speaking role.

About the role:
We are accepting submission from children ages 9 to 13, regardless of experience, to join our diverse cast.

About Six Characters:
In Luigi Pirandello’s classic metatheatrical play about the relationship between authors, characters, actors, directors and audience, six characters come looking for life and find the theatre world acutely unable to make them real. Ghostlight Ensemble's production examines the institutional racism found in modern theatre and leaves the audience wondering if they were watching a show, or were they, in fact, the show.

Material To Prepare:
Please submit your headshot and resume to Jean and she will arrange an audition.

Rehearsals:
Rehearsal dates for this role are March 25, March 31 and April 2-5 (tech week).

Performance Dates:
A preview performance is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 6. The production runs Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. & Sundays at 3 p.m. from April 7 to May 7; and 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 17. There will be no performance on Sunday, April 16.  

Performance Location:
Voice of the City studio in Logan Square (3429 W Diversey Ave, Chicago 60647)

Contact:
Send your headshot and resume to Jean at casting@ghostlightensemble.com.

Thank you for a great welcome in 2016 (There's more to come in 2017)

As we approach the end of our inaugural half season, we want to thank you for welcoming us into your theatre hearts. We are so grateful for, and humbled by, the hundreds who came out to our launch party, table reads, Fight Night performance, Krampus! and the myriad of other events at which our Ensemble members and guest artists performed.

We tried to have fun in 2016, despite the difficult times for our community and country. Theatre can be a much-needed escape for a hurting people; it can be a light in dark places. But light also brings self-examination, and in 2017 we have some sober, contemplative work planned as well.

Our inaugural half season continues in the new year with Luigi Pirandello’s Six Characters in Search of an Author, in which six characters come looking for life and find the theatre world acutely unable to make them real. As a partner to this production, Ghostlight will also present Six Authors in Search of a Character, a short play festival in which six authors pen 10-minute plays around the “missing” character in The Mountain Giants, Pirandello’s final, unfinished play.

But it won't all be serious business, we have a bonus, one-night event in the works for February full of platform sneakers, animal prints and Girl Power. Check your inboxes in early 2017 for more on that.

We hope you'll continue to support us, not just in 2017, but in all the years to come. You can do this by helping spread the word about Ghostlight and our productions, by dragging your friends out of their seasonal affective disorder pillow forts to see a show, by shopping on Amazon, heck, you can even do it by wearing a T-shirt. Or, if you find yourself at the year's end with a few extra dollars in your pocket, your tax-deductible donation to Ghostlight Ensemble is always welcome.

Help us shed light on the human experience and provoke communal connections beyond the edge of the stage. We're going to need all the light and community we can muster in the coming year.

May 2017 bring you health, wealth, happiness and wisdom!

—  Chad, Holly, Jaclyn, Jean, Keith, Lisa, Maria, Michael, Mike, & Miona

Join our Board of Directors

Ghostlight is looking to expand its Board of Directors. Members serve a crucial role ensuring the stability and continued future success of the company, through donor cultivation, fundraising, outreach and administration.

As a board member you would support the work of Ghostlight Ensemble and provide mission-based leadership and strategic governance. If you're interested in learning more, contact Managing Director Chad Wise at chad(at)ghostlightensemble.com.

Krampus returns in December

Only four performances of Krampus! remain!

Get your tickets now for our December run, which begins at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, December 5, at the Underground Wonder Bar in River North.

Krampus! follows the Murray family as they get together for one final Christmas as a family before their eldest daughter moves to New York City with her boyfriend. And what could be more perfect than spending the holiday with your bickering family in a remote cabin in the Wisconsin woods during a snowstorm with a Christmas demon on the loose? Nothing says Christmas like abject fear.

Directed by Maria Burnham, Krampus! stars Jean E. Burr, Sean Harklerode, Stefanie Johnsen, Allison McCorkle, Christopher Paul Mueller, John Rohr, Paul Tinsley, Michael Wagman and Chad Wise, with Fight Choreography by Alex Farrington. Cast bios are on our website.

The show takes place at Underground Wonder Bar (710 N. Clark St., Chicago 60654) at 7:30 p.m. on October 31, November 1, November 7-8, December 5-6 and December 12-13, 2016. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door. 

Giving Tuesday

As a not-for-profit theatre, we rely on our community for support. Consider a tax- deductible donation to Ghostlight on this Giving Tuesday.

Contributions from individuals play a vital role in our ability to develop and present work each season, as ticket sales cover just 10 percent of our annual operating expenses.

Help us continue our mission of telling stories that illuminate our connections to one another and to our collective place in the world. Ghostlight is a registered 501(c)3 organization and as such your donations are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

You can donate to us in a myriad of ways. Find out more on the Support Us page of our website.

Join Ghostlight and Krampus at Martyrs' Krampus Fest

Ghostlight Ensemble is excited to be a part of the Fourth Annual Krampus Fest at Martyrs' on Saturday, December 3, 2016.

The holiday market starts at noon with the Krampuslauf parade stepping off at 6 p.m. Entry is free and costumes are encouraged! The Fest features local artists, makers and bakers; German street food, gluhwein, beer and live music.

Make sure you stop by our table. We'll be there to chat about our show, Krampus! Come meet the creators, director and members of the cast. Plus pick up some Ghostlight swag and find out what else we have in store.

What's all this about Krampus, you ask? In European folklore, Krampus is the dark companion of Saint Nicholas. With cloven hooves, a long tongue and goat-like horns, Krampus (also known as Black Peter) punishes the naughty children while Saint Nicholas rewards the good. Krampus Night, or Krampusnacht, is celebrated on December 5 each year.

If you can't wait till Krampus Fest on Saturday, you can check out a preview of Krampus! at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 29, at Martyrs before PechaKucha Night.

Catch Krampus! at Christkindlmarket

Ghostlight joins the League of Chicago Theatres and 10 other local theatre companies as part of Theatre Tag at the 21st Annual Christkindlmarket Chicago on Tuesday, December 6, 2016.

Grab a warm beverage and join us after work at 5 p.m. with a scene from our current holiday production, Krampus! — Jaclyn Jensen and Mike Wozniak’s new take on a classic Christmas tale of switches and chains and devils who punish naughty children.

Mrs. Murray is looking forward to one final Christmas together as a family before her eldest daughter takes off to New York City with her boyfriend. And what could be more perfect than spending the holiday with her bickering family in a remote cabin in the Wisconsin woods during a snowstorm with a Christmas demon on the loose? Nothing says Christmas like abject fear.

The Christkindlmarket is held at Daley Plaza in the Loop. For a full list of Theatre Tag performances and more information visit the event page.

Auditions announced for 'Six Characters in Search of an Author'

Ghostlight Ensemble announces auditions for Six Characters in Search of an Author written by Luigi Pirandello, directed by Maria Burnham.

Characters Descriptions:
Seeking a strong ethnically diverse cast of all genders who are comfortable with improvisation. We are looking for actors of all shapes and sizes, who are differently-abled, who do not blend in, who represent the complex tapestry of humankind.

We are casting for all roles, which range in age from child to 60s, including two non-speaking roles for a female child and a male pre-teen to early-teens.

Material To Prepare:
Please submit your headshot and resume to Jean, and she will be in touch with sides and an audition appointment.

Performance Dates:
Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays from April 7 to May 7.

Auditions:
7-10 p.m. on Wednesday, December 7
7-10 p.m. on Thursday, December 8

Please indicate your preferred date and time in your email.

You must be available for callbacks on Saturday, December 10, which will be held between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Auditions and call backs will be held at The Theatre School at DePaul University (2350 N Racine Ave, Chicago, IL 60614).

Send your headshot and resume to Jean at casting@ghostlightensemble.com.

We've added 'Krampus!' bios to our site

Want to learn who's who in Krampus!? No need to wait till Monday to find out. Learn all about the actors here.

Krampus! stars Ghostlight Ensemble members Jean E. Burr, Michael Wagman and Chad Wise with guest artists Sean Harklerode, Stefanie Johnsen, Allison McCorkle, Christopher Paul Mueller, J. Rohr and Paul Tinsley. It was written by Ensemble members Jaclyn Jensen and Mike Wozniak and directed by Ensemble Member Maria Burnham, with Fight Choreography by Alex Farrington.

Krampus! time is near: Save the date for our holiday show

Krampus! rehearsals are underway. From left: Stefanie Johnsen, Chris Mueller, Jean E. Burr, Allison McCorkle and Chad Wise.

Ghostlight Ensemble brings Christmas to Halloween — and vice versa— as we present Krampus!, Jaclyn Jensen and Mike Wozniak’s new take on the classic holiday tale of switches and chains and devils who punish naughty children by stuffing them into baskets and dragging them to the fiery depths of hell.

Mrs. Murray is looking forward to one final Christmas together as a family before her eldest daughter takes off to New York City with her boyfriend. And what could be more perfect than spending the holiday with her bickering family in a remote cabin in the Wisconsin woods during a snowstorm with a Christmas demon on the loose? Nothing says Christmas like abject fear.

Krampus! will be performed on select Mondays and Tuesdays beginning October 31, at Underground Wonder Bar in River North. The holidays can't come soon enough — or be scary enough.
 
Directed by Maria Burnham, Krampus! stars Jean E. Burr, Sean Harklerode, Stefanie Johnsen, Allison McCorkle, Chris Mueller, John Rohr, Paul Tinsley, Michael Wagman and Chad Wise, with Fight Choreography by Alex Farrington.
 
The show takes place at Underground Wonder Bar (710 N. Clark St., Chicago 60654) at 7:30 p.m. on October 31, November 1, November 7-8, December 5-6 and December 12-13, 2016. Tickets are $10 in advance or $12 at the door.

And we're off!

The men of Ghostlight (plus one) serenade the crowd during the company's launch party.

Thanks to everyone who made it out for our Launch Party on October 1, at babyATLAS.

We had a blast getting to know you, introducing ourselves to you and also listening to the sweet, sweet sounds of the Dixie Chicks and the Backstreet Boys, as well as ALL of the showtunes.

You can check out photos from the launch over on our Facebook page.

Your generosity at the event will help support our upcoming seasons, which include new works, forgotten classics and a new take on a theatre history staple. We appreciate your faith in us and can't wait to show you what we can do.

If you weren't there and you want to know more about us (or even if you were there and perhaps spent too much time with the rum cake and forgot all about everything else in life), you can find out more on our website.

If you're interested in learning how to support us or work with us, we'd love to hear from you. Shoot us an email or learn more here.