Why Theatre Matters To Us: Jaclyn Jensen & Mike Wozniak

Jaclyn Jensen and Mike Wozniak at the Ghostlight Launch Party in 2016.

Ghostlight is sharing our personal stories of why theatre is so important to us and, in turn, to others. We hope you'll feel inspired to support the arts now and forever more.

Jaclyn Jensen, Audience Development Coordinator, Ensemble Member
Mike Wozniak, Visual Design Specialist, Ensemble Member  

"Our first date started with Mike in the audience for one of Jackie's shows. Sure, sure, there was dinner and drinks and a romantic rooftop patio, too. But it started in a theatre. That 'theatre' may have been the upstairs of a punk rock bar, but for that show, it was the perfect theatre.

"Our relationship continued with Mike seeing Jackie's shows and being her biggest fan. But seeing shows together became something that really brought us closer together. Being able to connect after sharing these experiences, seeing how shows affect each other, seeing where our perspectives align or not... we learn more about each other.

"A few years ago we took a leap and actually wrote a play together  — neither of us are playwrights. But we created something together and it was a highlight in our relationship. And we are looking forward to future projects!

"Whether on stage, back stage, or in the audience, theatre gives you an opportunity to really connect."

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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. 

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.

Reviews are in for our 'tongue-in-cheek dark comedy that has everyone laughing'

Audiences and critics alike are laughing out loud at Krampus!, Ghostlight's holiday offering with a slightly demonic bent.

Krampus! follows the Murray family as they get together for one final Christmas as a family before their 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 Chicago Reader recommends Krampus! saying, "It’s about time someone put a little demonic possession into the Christmas season."

And Playlist HQ adds, "It’s a tongue-in-cheek dark comedy that has everyone laughing."

Only four performances remain! Get your tickets now for our December run.

Celebrate Halloween & unwrap the dark side of Christmas early this year with Krampus!

No need to wait until December 5 to celebrate Krampusnacht. Krampus is getting a jump start on the holidays and delivering all sorts of tricks starting October 31.

Krampus!, Jaclyn Jensen and Mike Wozniak’s original play, brings horror and humor to the stage as the Murray family gathers together for the holidays and where better to celebrate than in a place where deaths keep mysteriously happening...

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.

Tickets are on sale now for this 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.

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

The show takes place in the basement (where else?) at Underground Wonder Bar 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.

Krampus! time is near

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.