Northlight Theatre

Northlight Theatre is a professional, non-profit theater company located in Skokie, Illinois. Established in 1974, it has become a recognized regional theater in the Chicago area, presenting a variety of contemporary and classic works. The theater operates out of the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie.

Northlight Theatre was founded in 1974 by Gregory Kandel, along with Mike Nussbaum and Frank Galati, as the Evanston Theatre Company. Its first season in 1975-76 featured Jumpers by Tom Stoppard, directed by Galati. The theater's name was changed to Northlight Theatre in 1978 to better reflect its professional status.^[1]

Northlight Theatre has produced a wide variety of plays throughout its history. Some recent notable productions include:

• White Guy on the Bus (2015), directed by BJ Jones^[2][3]
• The Book of Will (2017), directed by Jessica Thebus^[4]
• Into the Breeches! (2019), directed by Shana Cooper^[5]
• Selling Kabul (2024), directed by Hamid Dehghani^[6]

Northlight Theatre has earned multiple Joseph Jefferson Awards, highlighting its impact on Chicago's theater scene. The theater's dedication to new play development is exemplified through programs such as Interplay, which has facilitated the transition of many works to full productions.^[7]

Northlight Theatre also offers a variety of educational programs, including student matinees and workshops. These initiatives aim to engage with the community and promote theater as an accessible art form.^[8]