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Valley arts community takes part in national theater demonstration to promote inclusion, compassion
YOUNGSTOWN
Local theater groups joined a nationwide show of solidarity on Thursday evening by lighting a “ghostlight” outside their facilities.
Members and supporters of the Youngstown Playhouse, the Rust Belt Theater Company and members of Youngstown State University’s theater program participated in the Ghostlight Project, a national demonstration outside of theaters to promote inclusion and compassion.
A group of about 50 people gathered in the parking lot of the Youngstown Playhouse, many wearing signs that allowed them to identify who they are and what they are fighting for.
The project called for participants nationwide to light up their own personal light at 5:30 p.m, as a show of solidarity.
At the Youngstown Playhouse, attendees lit their phones, lighters, flashlights and lanterns before the theater’s “ghostlight” was lit outside the playhouse.
In theater culture, the ghostlight is a single light left illuminating the stage that – according to often cited stories – was intended to keep the ghosts in the theater entertained after shows ended.
Chris Hill, an assistant professor of theater at YSU, led a group of students to the event at the playhouse and explained the more practical and symbolic purpose of the ghostlight.
“The ghostlight goes back to before Shakespeare. It was always the last light left on in the theater, and it was meant to help performers and crew find their way to the light switch or the door or to ensure they don’t fall into the orchestra pit. It was the last light left in the dark, ensuring the actors could always safely find their way.”
John Cox, the president of the Youngstown Playhouse board of directors, led the evening’s ceremonies, saying the event wasn’t against any cause or ideology, but was simply a pledge that the theater would always be a place of safety and inclusion for people regardless of who they are.
Though it wasn’t addressed directly at either the event or on the Ghostlight Project’s official website, the event was held on the eve of president-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration.
A small group was gathered in front of the Rust Belt Theater at the Calvin Center on Mahoning Avenue to participate in the demonstration.
Robert Joki, the director of the theater, said that the ghostlight was symbolic of the sanctuary-like role the theater plays in the lives of many individuals.
He said he expects a resurgence in local theater participation in coming years and praised Youngstown for having a relatively vibrant local theater scene for the city’s size.