PREPARE TO BE INTENSELY ENTERTAINED
Upcoming Shows & Events
Savor Evanston
The Winthrop Club
June 11 @ 6:00 pm
Now Announcing
THE 2026-27 SEASON
Starts September 2026
Become a season subscriber
Experience the new Northlight with the full inaugural season. Explore our new location and the subscription option that best fits for you.
FUTURE HOME IN EVANSTON
After 50 years of productions and nearly 30 years at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, Northlight’s 2025-26 Season will be its last as renters in Skokie as we embark on opening our very own home in Evanston, the vibrant community where Northlight began in 1974. Owned and operated by Northlight, a theatre of our own in downtown Evanston will strengthen our ability to produce compelling new and existing work, nurture and grow the next generation of theatregoers, expand our civic impact, spark economic development, and serve as a cultural hub for the entire community. The new Northlight is scheduled to open at 1012 Church Street in September 2026.
NORTHLIGHT NEWS
Amidst the joy of moving into a new office space and preparing to take possession of our new theatre, I’ve been reflecting on what we...
What makes a screwball comedy? The Angel Next Door is a romantic screwball comedy based on Ferenc Molnar’s A Play at the Castle. But what...
Today we’re bringing you something special from the Archives! Way back in 2008, Gaslight Scenic Designer Collette Pollard teamed up with Director Jessica Thebus to...
Artistic Director BJ Jones sat down with Laura Schellhardt, a nationally recognized playwright and dramaturg who is currently the head of playwriting at Northwestern University,...
Our Artistic Director BJ Jones sat down with the playwright of Gaslight to get the scoop on why he decided to adapt this classic thriller....
Our Artistic Director BJ Jones is always tuned in to what’s happening in the theatre scene around Chicago, and in June he appeared on the...
Connect With Us
Remembering a pioneer: Bill Pullinsi, 1940-2026.
Artistic Director BJ Jones shared, "In the aftermath of 9/11, I programmed OVER THE TAVERN, a warm and delightful play, of which Richard Christiansen of the Tribune said, `Just what the doctor ordered…a little bit of heaven.`
It was directed by Bill Pullinsi. He held the rights, and the timing of the production, and the play itself was so successful that after a sold-out run at Northlight, it moved downtown to the Mercury Theatre, where it ran for over a year! I will always be grateful to Bill and his savvy business partner Tony D`Angelo for collaborating with us at a time when the wounds of 9/11 were raw and fresh.
Bill was a pioneer in our community whose theatres, Candlelight and Forum, provided work for so many gifted Chicago artists. He had an unerring eye for talent, giving the likes of one of Northlight`s founders, Frank Galati, a chance to adapt Mike Royko’s book on Mayor Daley, BOSS, into a musical.
Bill was a foundational visionary, and we all owe him a big debt of gratitude.
This week, Northlight celebrated members of its High Lights program with some live readings from a few of its featured writers.
High Lights is an educational writing workshop provided by Northlight in conjunction with the Levy Senior Center Foundation and the Evanston Public Library. During classes, Northlight teaching artists guide writers of all skill levels as they construct personal narratives and dive into deeper explorations of a variety of literary genres. Interested in getting involved? Check out our community partnerships at northlight.org
Northlight just successfully completed its first theatre trip to London! A group of 32 supporters joined Northlight leadership for a trip that included six West End shows, a day trip to Hampstead on the Heath, walking tours in London, an inside look at the Drury Lane Theatre, and exclusive talks with cast members, playwrights, and theatre critics. Plans are already underway for a repeat next spring. Interested? Contact Kim Hoopingarner at khoopingarner@northlight.org to join us on our next trip across the pond!
Just a few short weeks ago, Artistic Director BJ Jones and Playwright Jeff Hatcher met up with a cast of Northlight favorites for a read-through of the current draft of THE FRONT PAGE. This brand new adaptation of the play that also inspired the 1940s film His Girl Friday is on its way to the Northlight stage to kick off our Inaugural season in Evanston. We can’t wait to see you there!
And a special thanks to Tim Rhoze at Fleetwood-Jourdain for giving us a place to meet for a read-through while our new home is still under construction.
Have a safe holiday weekend, and we`ll see you again next week!
As part of our move to Evanston, we have a brand-new phone number! Contact Patron Services for all of your subscription, box office, or Northlight needs at 847.563.8400
Are you a student who is passionate about theatre? Are you hoping to start a career in the arts? Join Northlight for the summer and see what it takes to run a professional theatre company. Apply today!
After nearly thirty years at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts, our time in Skokie is coming to an end. We`re so thankful to the folks at NSCPAS for the years of collaboration, and now we look forward to the future at our new home in Evanston!
#NSCPAS #skokieillinois #theatreinchicago
We`re closing out our 50th Anniversary Season and excitedly turning toward the future. As we kick off our inaugural season in Evanston later this year, be prepared for brand new stories, a brand new space, and the same intensely entertaining theatre you know and love. Here`s to what comes next!
#evanston #downtownevanston #theatreinchicago #theatre #chicagotheatre
Yesterday marked a big milestone for our new home as we officially hung the Northlight marquee on our building. We can`t wait to kick off our inaugural season with our name in lights! See you in downtown Evanston soon 💫
#evanston #theatreinchicago #downtownevanston
Applications are now open! Follow the link in our bio to learn more and apply today.
