Ghostlight announces change in leadership: Kayla V. White takes over as co-artistic director

Ghostlight Ensemble Member Kayla V. White has been promoted to co-artistic director as the storefront theatre company looks ahead to its next season with a focus on lifting up disenfranchised voices and navigating the unprecedented arts landscape that has resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic.

White joins Miona Lee as co-artistic leader of the company, taking over from Maria Burnham, who voluntarily stepped down to open a leadership position for an artist of color. Burnham remains with the company.

“As a Black, queer woman, being the new co-artistic director for Ghostlight Ensemble Theatre is a particularly exciting opportunity for me,” White said. “I’m so grateful to my theatre family for being ready and willing to learn and grow by centering marginalized voices like mine in our community.

“One thing I’m really looking forward to in this role is working with Ghostlight to be a force of positive change in the Chicago theatre scene. The landscape of theatre is rapidly changing and we can (and will!) dismantle old traditions and build an inclusive, anti-racist and SAFE place to create theatre together.”

White joined Ghostlight Ensemble last year after working as an actress with the company on several productions and readings. She holds a BFA in Music Theatre from Illinois Wesleyan University and in Chicago has worked with Strawdog Theatre Company, Clock Productions and Hairpin Arts, among others. Her full bio can be found here.

“As a performer, Kayla has a passion and energy about her that makes you want to watch. The more I have gotten to know her, I’ve learned that she brings the same drive and passion to everything she does,” Lee said. “With our constant drive to bring new voices, perspectives and stories to the light, Kayla is a natural fit as an artistic director. I cannot be more excited to be working with her.”

Added Burnham, “Part of Ghostlight’s mission has been to challenge the status quo, but how can we effectively do that when we look like the structures that have been put in place to establish and uphold that dynamic? That is why I’m excited to follow Kayla as she leads this company into its next chapter. In addition to being extraordinarily talented and passionate, Kayla has a great vision for what theater can be and Ghostlight’s part in it.”

The company is currently developing its plan for the 2020-2021 season, which will largely take place in the digital realm, after cutting its 2019-2020 season short due to safety concerns associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. An announcement is expected soon.

The power of imagination takes center stage in Ghostlight’s festival of new works for young audiences

Cereal royalty, a monster that eats words, the source of all black girl magic, a unique bird that tastes bad. Welcome to Make/Believe, a theatre festival that challenges its young – and young at heart – audiences to throw out the way things have always been done and indulge their imagination.

The production features a mix of short plays by local and out-of-state playwrights that were written for audiences 12 and under, but which are also meant to be enjoyed by all ages.

“Make/Believe is an expansion of our Nightlight young audiences series, which has always sought to tell compelling stories for children that do not talk down to them, but help make sense of the world around them while also letting them know that it is still OK to play,” said Maria Burnham, Ghostlight’s co-artistic director.

The eight stories that make up this year’s Make/Believe festival are filled with young women who turn convention on its head. From the young heroines in Epic Tales from the Land of Melanin who reclaim their own stories – and the power that comes along with them – to that classic victim of folklore, Little Red Riding Hood, who decides a feminist fairy tale is more her style, the heroines of these plays face the types of figurative monsters modern children will recognize from their own lives.

Selected scripts include:

• Asherella, by Chicago playwright Lori Taylor, is a take on Cinderella where the heroines are African-American females and the person rescued is a young white male. Asher lives at home with his cruel stepmother and cruel stepbrothers. With the help of The One, an African-American magical being who is the source of all black girl magic, Asher is able to escape his cruel family and live in the castle with the ruler of the queendom. Asherella is directed by Laila Rodriques.
• In Ava’s First Escape Room, by Chicago playwright Kim Z. Dale, Ava, Jack and Gus are locked together in an escape room as an optional add on to a school field trip. The strange thing about this escape room is there is nothing in it: No puzzles or clues to solve. To make matters worse, Ava and the boys are not friends. As the boys loudly and ineffectually try to bust out of the room, Ava gets tired of dealing with them, and takes matters into her own hands. Ava’s First Escape Room is directed by Jill Olson Stuck.
• Based on histories of real-life women of color and non-Eurocentric fairytales, Epic Tales from the Land of Melanin tells a hilarious, imaginative adventure tale of three girl warrior-explorers taking on the world. Along the journey, our fierce young heroes must attempt to reclaim the power that was stolen from them and their people. Epic Tales From the Land of Melanin was originally devised by Chicago artists Guadalís Del Carmen, Mariana Green, Brandi Lee, Maya Mackrandilal, Enid Muñoz, Alyssa Vera Ramos, Deanalís Resto, Ana Velazquez and Teresa Zoríc with FEMelanin; and is directed by Deanalís Resto.
• Little Red Reboot, by New York playwright Sonya Sobieski, is a modern mash-up of the Little Red Riding Hood and Goldilocks tales, in which two rebellious females we think we already know break the rules of storytelling and theatre to get to a happy ending. Little Red Reboot is directed by Kristin Schoenback.
• The Queen of Cocoa Puffs and the Cap’n Crunch King, by Brooklyn playwright Corey Pajka, is the story of what happens when a pair of sovereign siblings sit down for breakfast with two hearty appetites and one cereal box between them. A battle cry is heard across the kingdom of New Brunswick. There will be blood—and perhaps orange juice. The Queen of Cocoa Puffs and the Cap’n Crunch King is directed by John Gleason Teske.
• Scaredy Friends is the story of a small girl and a monster that eats her words when she screams. But it turns out the monster isn’t evil — like the little girl, it is scared. This discovery, told through words and physical theatre, changes the course of their relationship forever. Scaredy Friends is written and directed by Chicago performing artist Carolyn Minor.
• Snow White, Who Is Also Called Becky, No Rebecca...and the Frog Prince, by Oak Park-based playwrights Jack Helbig and Margaret Helbig, is the story of a father and a daughter who collaborate on the writing of an original fairy tale. Unfortunately, they have different ideas of what makes a good fairy tale. Fortunately, they keep writing. Snow White, Who Is Also Called Becky, No Rebecca...and the Frog Prince is directed by Lizzy May.
• Stinky Bird, by Los Angeles playwright Seth Freeman, is the story of a young bird who is forced to come to terms with her unique and challenging background. Stinky Bird is directed by Jackie Bowes.

All eight plays will be produced on both days of the festival. The festival is curated by Ghostlight Ensemble Co-Artistic Director Maria Burnham.

Ghostlight put out a call for scripts for young audiences that featured strong female characters and collected submissions from around the world during the fall of 2019. Over 350 short plays were submitted. Final selections were made in late November.

The festival was crafted to appeal to all ages and its weekend run is perfect for families looking for live, daytime entertainment during a time of year when family-friendly activities are not as plentiful. Make/Believe takes place Saturday, February 22 and Sunday, February 23, 2020, at 2 p.m. at Laugh Out Loud Theater Chicago in the North Center neighborhood (3851 N. Lincoln Ave.). Tickets are on sale now via Brown Paper Tickets: $15 adults, $5 children 12 and under, or $25 family of four.

Nightlight is Ghostlight’s young audience series with original, adapted and forgotten plays geared toward children and the adults who love them. Ghostlight believes theatre can be a beacon for children, letting them know they aren’t alone in the world, giving them a sense of security and revealing the truth that in stories they can be anything they want to be. You’re never too young – or too old – for a nightlight. 

Up Next: A Live Reading of Charlie's Angels

Ghostlight Ensemble presents the next installment of its ongoing live movie reading series with Flip Your Goddamn Hair: A Live Reading of Charlie’s Angels (2000 edition).

So get ready for all the flying muffins and flying kicks that one movie theatre bar can hold! Join us at 7:30 p.m. on Monday, February 17 at Carbon Arc Bar & Board (4614 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60625), located in the Davis Theater in North Center.

Charlie’s Angels is a 2000 American action comedy film about three women working at a private detective agency in Los Angeles for a mysterious boss they've never seen. Their client has hired them to retrieve stolen voice-ID software — which they do using martial arts, tech skills and sex appeal — only to find out the baddies are actually after something else entirely.

The live reading is directed by Emma Jo Schumacher.

Because our readings can quickly become standing room only, Carbon Arc suggests making a reservation if you'd like a table (they have delicious food and drink!). You can do so here.

There is a suggested donation of $5 at the door, which will help Ghostlight fund its current season.

Auditions Announced for Much Ado About Nothing

We are now accepting submissions to audition for Ghostlight Ensemble’s upcoming immersive production of Much Ado About Nothing to be performed in an Albany Park home, where audience members may move amongst the action as all the drama and comedy unfolds around them. The production will be directed by Producing Director Holly Robison.

Audition Dates:
Auditions: Wednesday January 15 and & Thursday, January 16, 2020: 6:30-9:30 p.m.

Callbacks: Saturday, January 18, 2020: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Chicago’s north side.

Location will be provided when audition slot is assigned.

What to Prepare: 
Sides will be forwarded with audition slot.

Tech/Performance Dates: 
 Performance Dates will be Friday and Saturn evenings and Sunday matinees, April 24 to May 17, 2020, with a possible extension. Tech will be April 18–23, 2020. Rehearsals will begin early-mid March on weekday evenings and weekend days. Rehearsals will be scheduled according to cast availability.

Stipend:
Small stipend.

Character Description: 
Looking to cast all roles, ages ranging from early 20s to 70s. Seeking a strong ethnically diverse cast of all genders, ages, shapes and sizes. Some roles may be double cast and/or considered for gender fluid casting. Please see character breakdown below.

• BEATRICE, pleasant spirited lady 
•  HERO, Beatrice’s younger cousin 
•  LEONATO, Governor of Messina – Hero’s father and Beatrice’s uncle 
•  MARGARET, waiting gentlewoman to Hero 
• URSULA, waiting gentlewoman to Hero 
•  BENEDICK, a gentleman from Padua 
•  DON PEDRO, Prince of Aragon 
•  CLAUDIO, a young lord from Florence 
•  BALTHASAR, servant/singer 
•  DON JOHN, Don Pedro’s brother 
•  BORACHIO, Don John’s comrade 
•  CONRADE, Don John’s comrade 
•  DOGBERRY, Master Constable in Messina 
•  VERGES, Dogberry’s deputy 
•  GEORGE SEACOAL, leader of the Watch 
•  FIRST WATCHMAN 
•  SECOND WATCHMAN 
•  FRIAR FRANCIS 
•  MESSENGER(s)

Please submit your headshot and resume to Jean at casting@ghostlightensemble.com, and she will be in touch with sides and an audition appointment if we'd like to see you. Please indicate any time restrictions you have for the audition period in your email.

Mark your calendar for Chicago Theatre Week

Mark your calendar for Chicago Theatre Week: February 13-23, 2020!

Ghostlight is proud to be part of Chicago Theatre Week in 2020, and excited to be able to offer children’s programming as part of this city-wide event to bring affordable performance to residents and visitors alike.

Chicago Theatre Week tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, January 14, 2020, at ChicagoTheatreWeek.com. Tickets for many of the city's largest theatres are only $30 and at storefront theatres only $15 (or less!).

Chicago Theatre Week is an annual celebration of the rich tradition of theatre going in Chicago during which visitors and residents can access value-priced tickets.

As a program of the League of Chicago Theatres, in partnership with Choose Chicago, Chicago Theatre Week is heading into its eighth year and will take place February 13-23, 2020. More than 100 theatre productions are expected to participate in neighborhoods throughout the city and suburbs.

Learn more at Choose Chicago.

Plays announced for February's Make/Believe Festival

Ghostlight announces the scripts that will be performed as part of the Make/Believe, a short play festival for young audiences, scheduled for February 22 and 23, 2020, at Laugh Out Loud Theater in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago.

The plays, geared towards children 12 and under, all have one unifying feature – strong female characters.

Selected scripts are:

• Asherella by Lori Taylor 
• Ava's First Escape Room by Kim Z. Dale 
• Epic Tales From the Land of Melanin originally devised by Guadalís Del Carmen, Mariana Green, Brandi Lee, Maya Mackrandilal, Enid Muñoz, Alyssa Vera Ramos, Deanalís Resto, Ana Velazquez and Teresa Zoríc with FEMelanin 
• Little Red Reboot by Sonya Sobieski 
• The Queen of Cocoa Puffs and the Cap'n Crunch King by Corey Pajka 
• Scaredy Friends by Carolyn Minor 
• Snow White, Who Is Also Called Becky, No Rebecca...and the Frog Prince by Jack Helbig and Margaret Helbig 
• Stinky Bird by Seth Freeman

Auditions Announced for Live Movie Reading Series and Make/Believe short play festival

Ghostlight Ensemble announces joint auditions for the first quarter of its Live Movie Reading Series and for its young audiences play festival, Make/Believe. Actors may audition for one of both of the programs. Please state which program you wish to audition for in your submission. Actors may be considered for multiple short plays and multiple movies.

The Live Movie Reading Series is a low-key and fun, staged reading of some of our favorite movies. These readings are fundraisers for local nonprofits. Past recipients have included Common Pantry, Girl Forward and New Leash on Life, among others.

Make/Believe is part of our Nightlight young audiences series and is a curated festival of short plays by playwrights from around the country. The plays, geared towards children 12 and under, all have one unifying feature – strong female characters.

There is no pay for any of these shows.

Character Descriptions 
Seeking a strong ethnically diverse cast of all genders, ages, shapes and sizes that is representative of the city in which we live.

For the Live Movie Reading series, we're looking for actors who love these movies and who can also read. Those are literally the only requirements. Please note that we prefer a greater diversity in our casts for these movies than the original directors did and that the genders of our actors do not always match those of the actors in the films.

For Make/Believe, actors with previous experience working with children will receive preference in scheduling. All actors must have a love of good stories, a sense of fun and an imagination to rival any 5-year-old. Most of the pieces in this festival involve some level of interaction with the audience, so actors must be comfortable interacting with children and their guardians.

Time Commitment
Live Movie Reading Series:
In general, the live movie reading series involves an initial gathering to watch the movie that is being performed and two rehearsals. There is no tech. All performances take place at 7:30 p.m. on Mondays at Carbon Arc Bar and Board (located at the Davis movie theater in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago).

Performance dates and movies are as follows:

• January 27, 2020: 10 Things I Hate About You 
• February 17, 2020: Charlie's Angels (2000 version) 
•  March 23, 2020: Back To The Future

Make/Believe Festival:
Directors will set rehearsal dates and times around actor availability. These are 15-minute (or less) pieces and should require a minimal number of rehearsals.

Tech is scheduled from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 15, 2020. Specific time slots will be scheduled for each piece and actors are not expected to be there all day.

Performance times are: Saturday, February 22, 2020 Sunday, February 23, 2020

All pieces will be performed both days. Performances start at 2 p.m. and will be held at Laugh Out Loud Theater in the North Center neighborhood of Chicago.

Materials To Prepare
Actors auditioning for the Live Movie Reading series are asked to prepare a monologue from their favorite movie, no longer than 1 minute. These monologues do not need to be memorized (as the performances are read and not memorized), but must be acted and staged to the best of your ability.

Actors auditioning for Make/Believe will be given sides to read. Please note that you will be in consideration for all the scripts in the festival, even if you are only reading sides for one particular piece.

The audition date is January 11, 2020, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in the Lakeview neighborhood of Chicago.

Please submit your headshot and resume to Jean at casting@ghostlightensemble.com, and she will be in touch with sides and an audition appointment. Please indicate any time restrictions you have for the audition period in your email.