Ghostlights
Whether they’re holding the paranormal at bay or preventing a misstep into the orchestra pit, ghostlights have been keeping Chicago stages safe for good century, maybe more. Traditionally a single light bulb fitted in a cage atop a tall stand, the ghost light is a fixture placed on stage just before the theater goes dark and acts as bare-bones illumination. And, just in case, to keep spirit mischief to a minimum.
Some tempt fate: arriving at The Yard at Chicago Shakespeare to co-direct a production of Macbeth last year, Teller - half of the magician duo Penn and Teller and known for his character’s silence - strolled into the theater and announced to all “let’s get this over with: Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth Macbeth.” To utter it even once could, as an old theater superstition goes, tempt catastrophe. Got a ghost light? All good. As Lyric Opera’s Master Electrician Mike Reynolds puts it “if you don’t put it out bad things start to happen around the Opera House. You’re showing your appreciation for the ghost taking care of you, much like children putting out milk and cookies for Santa.”
The following are images of theater ghostlights in their natural habitat, part of an ongoing project.