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.

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.

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 H/R 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. (You will not need to be there the entire time.)

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

Please send your headshot and resume to Jean E. Burr at casting@ghostlightensemble.com.

More information on Ghostlight and our production is available at www.ghostlightensemble.com. 

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.

And we're off!

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.