Northlight Theatre is located at 9501 Skokie Blvd. in Skokie, IL, inside the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. We are just east of the I-94 Edens Expressway (across from Westfield Old Orchard shopping center) – easily accessible from Chicago as well as the North and Northwest suburbs.

Our location at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts offers Complimentary Parking. 

Directions

From the North: Take I-94 east and exit at Old Orchard Road (east). Proceed east on Old Orchard Road to Skokie Boulevard . Turn right (south) onto Skokie Boulevard. After the intersection of Golf Road and Skokie Boulevard , make a left turn at the traffic light ( Foster Ave ).

From the South: Take I-94 west and exit at Old Orchard Road (east). Proceed east on Old Orchard Road to Skokie Boulevard . Turn right (south) onto Skokie Boulevard. After the intersection of Golf Road and Skokie Boulevard , make a left turn at the traffic light ( Foster Ave ). 

From the East: Go west on Dempster Street to Skokie Boulevard . Turn right (north) onto Skokie Boulevard . Proceed north on Skokie Boulevard to the traffic light at Foster Ave. (just before Golf Road) and turn right.

From the West: Go east on Dempster Street (Rte. 14) to Gross Point Road . Turn left on Gross Point Road (northeast) and proceed to Skokie Boulevard . Turn left onto Skokie Boulevard and proceed north. Take a right turn at the traffic light at Foster Ave. (just before Golf Road ).

Public Transportation
The Yellow Line ‘L’ (Skokie Swift) stops 1 mile from the Theatre, where you can transfer to CTA bus #97 which stops in front of our building. Several other CTA and PACE bus routes also stop at Old Orchard across the street. (Please note: The last #97 departs at 10:30pm Monday-Friday, and earlier in the evening on Saturday-Sundays, so this route is not recommended for weekend evening performances.) For more information on specific schedules and routes, visit the CTA web page a www.transitchicago.com

How much do tickets cost?

Single Tickets range from $35 – $81 depending upon seat location and day of performance. Opening Night tickets are $85 and include a post-show reception. For more information about a specific production or performance date, contact the Box Office at 847.673.6300, or explore individual performances.

We offer a variety of discount opportunities – visit our Groups and Discounts page for more information. Subscription packages are available for 3, 4, and 5 plays and start at only $90 (4-play).

What if I can’t come on the date that I’m scheduled?

SUBSCRIBER BENEFIT: If a conflict arises for a Northlight subscriber, we are happy to exchange your tickets to another performance at no charge, provided we receive your request 24 hours prior to the performance by phone, fax or mail. Upgrade charges may apply if you exchange into a higher priced performance or seating area.

TICKET BUYERS: Ticket buyers for an individual show may exchange their tickets for a $10 fee (per ticket) by coming to the Box Office in person or by faxing a copy of their torn tickets to the Box Office 847.679.3704. Upgrade charges may also apply if you exchange into a higher priced performance or seating area.

Can I return my tickets?

All tickets and subscriptions are non-refundable. If you are unable to attend your originally scheduled date but can attend at different time, see our Exchange policies. If you are unable to use your tickets at all, you may give your tickets back to the Theatre as a tax-deductible donation. Please contact the Box Office at 847.673.6300 to arrange for your ticket return, and Northlight will provide a letter acknowledging a tax-deductible gift for the face value of your tickets.

How big is the Theatre?

Our performance space is an intimate 318-seat theatre with a three-quarter thrust stage (audience seated around three sides). The furthest seat is a mere ten rows from the stage!

View seating chart

What happens if I’m late to a show?

For best service, please plan to arrive at the Theatre at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start of the show. As part of our commitment not to disturb other audience members or performers, late arrivals may be held outside the Theater until a suitable break in the performance, or seated in the back at the discretion of the House Manager. You will be able to move to your assigned seats at intermission (if applicable). Depending on the nature of the show, late seating is not guaranteed.

What happens if I lose my tickets?

If you are unable to locate your tickets, call the Box Office at 847.673.6300 and report your tickets as missing. The Box Office will reprint your tickets and hold them at Will Call for you to pick up on the evening of your performance.

What’s your policy on cell phones, cameras, etc in the Theatre?

Photographs and/or recording during the performance is not allowed. In consideration of both other patrons and the performers on stage, we ask that all cell phones, watch alarms, and any other electronics that emit sound or light be turned off before the show. Texting during the performance is not permitted.

Are gender-neutral restrooms available?

At this time, the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts does not offer gender-neutral facilities for the public.

Can I bring my kids?

Children under 7 are not admitted to mainstage productions. Please note that some Northlight productions may include content that could also be considered inappropriate for children over 7. If you have questions or concerns about a particular production, please contact the Box Office at 847.673.6300.

Northilght also offers extensive Education programming through many nearby schools.  For more information, visit the Education section of our website.

What is the difference between Northlight Theatre and the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts?

Northlight Theatre is a non-profit theatre company that has made our home as a resident leasee inside the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. Northlight was founded in 1974 – a history that pre-dates our residency at the North Shore Center by 22 years.  As a producing theatre, Northlight is responsible for every aspect of the shows on our stage – from the selection of plays, to set design and construction, to the casting of actors, etc.

The North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie (NSCPAS), built in 1996, is a performance venue: a two-theater complex that is home to Northlight Theatre, and that also presents a diverse calendar of entertainment events – including concerts, comedians, dance companies and more. As the landlord facility, the North Shore Center operates the Box Office, House Management, and is responsible for all physical aspects of the building and its operations (seats, concessions, maintenance, etc).

I have a question that has not been addressed here. To whom should I speak?

Please direct all ticket and price related questions to the Box Office at 847.673.6300. Individual contact information can be found on our Staff page. Any additional questions may be directed to northlighttheatre@northlight.org.

Northlight’s mission is to remove as many barriers of entry as possible for members of our community to attend our shows. On this page you will find more information on our many accessibility services. Our hope is to continue to expand our current offerings and make Northlight a space where all community members in the North Shore and Chicago area are welcome.

For more information about our accessibility services, please contact Community Engagement Manager Ruben Carrazana at 847.324.1615 or email him at rcarrazana@northlight.org.

AccessIBLE SEATING

Northlight is fully wheelchair accessible and offers select accessible seating in our theatre. Our lobby, entryway, and theatre are all fully accessible. In the theatre, Row G is at ground level and requires no stairs from lobby to seat. Wheelchair accessible seats are G102, 103, 104 and G312, 313, 314. You may select any of these seats when purchasing tickets to individual performances online, or inform the Box Office of your seating needs when purchasing by phone at 847.673.6300. If you are subscribing to the season, please make a note on your subscription form or inform the Box Office of your seating needs by phone.

Assistive Listening

For patrons who have some hearing loss, we offer a Radio Frequency (RF) Headset system. This two-part system features a radio belt pack and headset, and can be obtained from House Management (ID deposit required). In addition, our theater also features an induction loop for patrons using hearing aids or cochlear implants with a T-Coil.

Audio Description/Touch Tour

Each production in our season will offer one performance that includes audio description.

At an audio-described performance, patrons who are blind or have low vision will receive a wireless device with headphones. A professional audio describer provides carefully times narration of the onstage visual elements including descriptions of the action, scenery, costumes, and lighting.

A touch tour will begin two hours before the audio-described performance. A touch tour is a pre-show experience in which patrons who are blind or have low vision are invited into the theater for sensory introductions to certain props, costumes, scenic elements, and actors. Due to current health and safety protocols, patrons will not have access to the stage at this time.

Below is a schedule of all of our audio described performances:

Birthday Candles – September 30 at 2:30pm
Dial M for Murder – December 23 @ 2:30pm
Selling Kabul – February 17 @ 2:30pm
Brooklyn Laundry – May 4 @ 2:30pm
2 Pianos 4 Hands – July 27 @ 2:30pm

To take advantage of the Audio Description service, please contact Community Engagement Manager Ruben Carrazana at rcarrazana@northlight.org or 847-324-1615, as tickets are limited to the equipment available.

(If no audio description tickets have been reserved 48 hours before the performance, the audio description service will be canceled for that performance.)

Braille/Large Print Programs

OPEN CAPTIONING

Each production in our season will offer two performances that include open captions.

During open captioned performances, an electronic text display is positioned on each side of the stage, which shows what the actors are saying or singing and describes sound effects on stage for patrons who are deaf or hard of hearing. A captioner will scroll through the dialogue in sync with the actors’ spoken word.

Below is a schedule of all of our open-captioned performances:

Birthday Candles – September 29 @ 7:30 pm & September 30 at 2:30 pm
Dial M for Murder – December 22 @ 7:30 pm & December 23 @ 2:30 pm
Selling Kabul – February 16 @ 7:30 pm & February 17 @ 2:30 pm
Brooklyn Laundry – May 3 @ 7:30 pm & May 4 @ 2:30 pm
2 Pianos 4 Hands – July 26 @ 7:30 pm & July 27 @ 2:30 pm

To purchase tickets, call 847.673.6300 and let the Box Office representative know that you plan to use the captions in order to obtain seats with best visibility.

Seat Selection: Please refer to the highlighted areas of the diagram below for optimal seating areas to keep captions in line of sight while looking at the stage. Captions are visible from the majority of the theatre, but may be more difficult to read from side angles, or require more back-and-forth turning to read captions and see the action on stage.

Physical Scripts

A small number of physical copies of the script are available at the Box Office to be read before the show. These scripts are not for sale and may not be removed from the building. We offer this as an option for individuals in our community who might want to fully understand the content of our shows before attending. Please return the script to the box office after reading.

RELAXED/SENSORY FRIENDLY

Select productions will offer a relaxed/sensory friendly performance where the typical rules of the theatre for audience members are relaxed. Relaxed performances are designed to make everyone feel safe and welcome at our theater. While these performances include changes to better support individuals with autism and sensory sensitivities, everyone is welcome to attend a relaxed performance.

Adjustments of note:

-Lower sound level
-House lights will remain on at all times at a low level
-Designated quiet area for patrons who need to step away from the performance
-Patrons are free to walk around and talk during the performance
-Cell phone usage and light noisemaking is allowed

Below is a schedule of all of our relaxed/sensory-friendly performances:

Birthday Candles – September 20 @ 7:30 pm
Selling Kabul – February 16 @ 7:30 pm
2 Pianos 4 Hands – July 25 @ 7:30 pm

SENSORY GUIDES

This guide holds many different accessibility tools to make your experience at our show as comfortable as possible. Please be aware that not every element of this guide will be useful to each individual, therefore, please feel free to pick and choose which accessibility tools would be most beneficial to you. The guide includes a synopsis of the show, sensory warnings, and photos of what to expect when you arrive at the theater.

Birthday Candles Sensory Guide

VISUAL GUIDE

This guide is a useful tool for anybody who is unfamiliar with our theater. It includes photos and instructions on what to expect when you arrive including where to park, how to pick up tickets, and what the inside of the theater looks like.

Northlight Theatre Visual Guide

For more information or questions about Captioning, Audio Description, or Relaxed Performances, please contact Ruben Carrazana: 847.324.1615 or rcarrazana@northlight.org.

NORTHLIGHT ACCESSIBILITY INITIATIVES SUPPORTED BY LEAD SPONSOR RALLA KLEPAK FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION IN THE PERFORMING ARTS

Northlight’s Hospitality Partners offer lodging options at a special discount to Northlight Patrons. If you are traveling from out of town, or want to make a night of your trip to the theatre, Northlight’s Hospitality Partners give you that option!

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Chicago – North Shore Conference Center
9599 Skokie Blvd, Skokie | 847.679.7000 | Map it
Northlight Rate: Call for the current special

Graduate Evanston
1625 Hinman Ave, Evanston | 847.475.3300 | Map it
Northlight Rate: Northlight patrons receive a discounted rate when using code SOCIAL
Use this link to book.