THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

On January 19, 2017, beginning at 5:15pm, Steppenwolf Theatre Company will host a public gathering in the open-air lot next to the Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N Halsted St. Ensemble members will read a statement on behalf of Steppenwolf and a ghostlight will be officially lit at 5:30pm. Complementary cider will be provided for guests outside, and the 1700 Theatre and Front Bar: Coffee & Drinks will be open for guests to gather following the event. Steppenwolf's ghostlight will remain lit in the theatre lobby until no longer needed. Free and open to the public, the event will also be wheelchair-accessible and feature ASL Interpretation.

Inspired by the tradition of leaving a "ghost light" on in a darkened theater, participants will be invited to pledge theircommitment to stand for and protect the values of inclusion, participation and compassion for everyone regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, ( dis )ability, gender identity, sexual identity or dissident actions in the coming years. The lights symbolize hope and a belief that, through action, change is possible.

Ensemble member Tina Landau, who is one of the founders of The Ghostlight Project, shares, "The theater in general has always espoused values of inclusion and diversity, and The Ghostlight Project now asks us to stand ever more actively and aggressively behind our commitment to those values. The project is designed not only as beautiful, poetic action on the 19th, but also as a beautiful, prosaic set of ongoing actions into the future. In these challenging times, so many people I know are asking, "What can I DO?" The Ghostlight Project aims to help answer that question, and specifically for a nationwide network of theaters and theater folk. As a US President from Chicago once said, 'We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.'"

"We know, now more than ever, that we will not be cowed by the intimidation or threats of those who fear what we have to say nor will we be broken by the hatred and fear being used to fracture and separate us," sharesSteppenwolf Artistic Director Anna D. Shapiro.

For more information about The Ghostlight Project: theghostlightproject.com/ .

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is the nation's premier ensemble theater—redefining the landscape of acting and performance. Formed by a collective of actors in 1976, the ensemble has grown to 47 members who represent a remarkable cross-section of actors, directors and playwrights. Thrilling and powerful productions from Balm in Gileadto August: Osage County—and accolades that include the National Medal of Arts and 12 Tony Awards—have made the theater legendary. Steppenwolf produces hundreds of performances and events annually in its three spaces: the 515-seat Downstairs Theatre, the 299-seat Upstairs Theatre and the 80-seat 1700 Theatre. Artistic programing includes a seven-play season; a two-play Steppenwolf for Young Adults season; Visiting Company engagements; and LookOut, a multi-genre performances series. Education initiatives include the nationally recognized work of Steppenwolf for Young Adults, which engages 14,000 participants annually from Chicago's diverse communities; the esteemed School at Steppenwolf; and Professional Leadership Programs for arts administration training. Steppenwolf's own Front Bar: Coffee and Drinks serves coffee, cocktails and a menu curated in partnership with the Boka Restaurant Group day and night. While firmly grounded in the Chicago community, nearly 40 original Steppenwolf productions have enjoyed success both nationally and internationally, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, London, Sydney, Galway and Dublin. Anna D. Shapiro is the Artistic Director and David Schmitz is the Executive Director. Eric Lefkofsky is Chair of Steppenwolf's Board of Trustees. For additional information, visit steppenwolf.org,facebook.com/steppenwolftheatre, twitter.com/steppenwolfthtr and instagram.com/steppenwolfthtr .

Victory Gardens

Chicago, IL—Artistic Director Chay Yew and Managing Director Erica Daniels announce Victory Gardens Theater's participation in The Ghostlight Project, an evening of advocacy at theater companies across the country. On January 19, 2017, at 5:30pm, members of the theater community—including Regional, Broadway, high school, college, and community theaters—will join together as a symbol of solidarity, hope and a shared commitment to greater inclusion, participation, and compassion in our theaters and our communities. Several Chicago theaters are participating, including Victory Gardens, Goodman, Steppenwolf and Northlight, among others.

Victory Gardens, 2433 N. Lincoln Ave, is opening its doors to all theater companies, artists and community members beginning at 5:00pm for a community gathering. A light will shine at 5:30pm to symbolize the values of The Ghostlight Project and participants will be invited to pledge their commitment to stand for and protect the values of inclusion, participation, and compassion for everyone regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, gender identity, sexual identity, or dissident actions in the coming years. The lights will symbolize hope and a belief that, through action, change is possible.

"From Marcus Gardley's An Issue of Blood to Luis Alfaro's Mojada, from our public programs on immigration to our We Must Breathe event in response to police brutality, Victory Gardens has always been your home to celebrate, dialogue, to challenge and evolve our roles as active citizens. This year will not be any different. We continue to be your town hall and public square, your space for all voices," comments Chay Yew. "We welcome all of Chicago, our neighbors and artists, members of every community, friends and family to join us for a moment of silence to reflect on ways to continue to unite our city and country. Come one, come all, Victory Gardens is your home."

Lisa Peterson, a founder of The Ghostlight Project states, "It's amazing to watch so many theater communities pull together and organize themselves! It means the event on January 19 will have some impact, and mostly we hope it will inspire us all to stay active and vigilant as a community, across the country, in times to come."

For more information about The Ghostlight Project: theghostlightproject.com/ .

Under the leadership of Artistic Director Chay Yew and Managing Director Erica Daniels, Victory Gardens is dedicated to artistic excellence while creating a vital, contemporary American Theater that is accessible and relevant to all people through productions of challenging new plays and musicals. Victory Gardens Theater is committed to the development, production and support of new plays that has been the mission of the theater since its founding, set forth by Dennis Za�ek, Marcelle McVay, and the original founders of Victory Gardens Theater.

Victory Gardens Theater is a leader in developing and producing new theater work and cultivating an inclusive Chicago theater community. Victory Gardens' core strengths are nurturing and producing dynamic and inspiring new plays, reflecting the diversity of our city's and nation's culture through engaging diverse communities, and in partnership with Chicago Public Schools, bringing art and culture to our city's active student population.

Since its founding in 1974, the company has produced more world premieres than any other Chicago theater, a commitment recognized nationally when Victory Gardens received the 2001 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre. Located in the Lincoln Park neighborhood, Victory Gardens Biograph Theater includes the Za�ek-McVay Theater, a state-of-the-art 259-seat mainstage and the 109-seat studio theater on the second floor, named the Richard Christiansen Theater.

Victory Gardens Ensemble Playwrights include Luis Alfaro, Philip Dawkins, Marcus Gardley, Ike Holter, Samuel D. Hunter, Naomi Iizuka, Tanya Saracho and Laura Schellhardt. Each playwright has a seven-year residency at Victory Gardens Theater.

The Playwrights Ensemble Alumni includes Claudia Allen, Lonnie Carter, Steve Carter, Gloria Bond Clunie, Dean Corrin, Nilo Cruz, Joel Drake Johnson, John Logan, Nicholas Patricca, Douglas Post, James Sherman, Charles Smith, Jeffrey Sweet and Kristine Thatcher.

For more information about Victory Gardens, visit www.victorygardens.org . Follow us on Facebook at Facebook.com/victorygardens, Twitter @VictoryGardens and Instagram at instagram.com/victorygardenstheater/ .

Victory Gardens Theater receives major funding from The Wallace Foundation, Alphawood Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Shubert Foundation, The REAM Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Allstate Insurance, Polk Bros. Foundation, Crown Family Philanthropies, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The William and Orli Staley Foundation, and The National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding is provided by: Abbot Downing & Wells Fargo, Alliance Bernstein, The Charles H. and Bertha L. Boothroyd Foundation, Exelon, The Lloyd A. Fry Foundation, John R. Halligan Charitable Fund, Illinois Arts Council, Illinois Tool Works, Italian Village Restaurants, Mayer Brown LLP, The McVay Foundation, LLP, The Prince Charitable Trusts, The Saints, Charles & M.R. Shapiro Foundation, Southwest Airlines, The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust, Whole Foods Market, and Wrightwood Neighbors Conservation Association.

OTHER CHICAGO AREA THEATERS PARTICIPATING

from https://theghostlightproject.com/participants

AURORA UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF ART & THEATRE, AURORA, IL

BROWN PAPER BOX CO, CHICAGO, IL

VICTORY GARDENS, CHICAGO, IL

URBAN THEATER CHICAGO, CHICAGO, IL

AMERICAN THEATER COMPANY, CHICAGO, IL

CHICAGO OPERA THEATER, CHICAGO, IL

GOODMAN THEATER, CHICAGO, IL

SECOND CITY CHICAGO, CHICAGO, IL

**STEPPENWOLF THEATER COMPANY, CHICAGO, IL

MUDLARK THEATER, EVANSTON, IL

ROUND LAKE HIGH SCHOOL, ROUND LAKE, IL

NORTHLIGHT THEATRE, SKOKIE, I