Why are you moving?
Since 1997, Northlight Theatre has been the resident theatre company of Skokie’s North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. Although the facility has offered two decades of stability, ultimately we are renters, and Northlight has reached its capacity to grow artistically and programmatically in its current space. To expand both artistically and as a civic-minded community center, we need a space of our own. A permanent, modern and viable home, owned and operated by Northlight, is essential to the company’s future.
Why Evanston
Northlight was founded as the Evanston Theatre Company in 1974, so we consider this a homecoming. Evanston is a thriving cultural city lacking a resident theatre company, and it has been the single biggest source for Northlight patrons throughout our history. Evanston will be elevated and enhanced with the addition of Northlight Theatre in the downtown district – a world-class theatre for a world-class city. And the vibrant, diverse city of Evanston allows us to more fully realize our mission of “reflecting our community to the world and the world to our community.”
How do I get there?
The new Northlight location, at 1012-1016 Church St, is easily accessible by car (< 5 miles from I-94, < 2 miles from Sheridan Rd) and public transportation. The location is one block from the CTA and Metra via the Evanston (Davis St) stations.
Will there be parking?
We know parking is important! Existing parking facilities in downtown Evanston offer more than ample capacity to accommodate Northlight patrons, and we are working with the city on discount options. We will also offer valet parking options for high traffic times. The site’s close proximity to CTA and Metra means that more patrons will have public transit access, which reduces parking needs.
View Detailed Parking Map
I already renewed my subscription for the 2024-25 season. Where are these performances?
Our complete 2024-25 Season will be presented at our current location at the North Shore Center in Skokie.
When is the new theatre opening?
The anticipated opening of the new theatre is tentatively fall of 2026. The project is currently moving through overlapping planning/design programs, fundraising, and construction phases. We will continue to provide updates as these phases progress.
Why does this matter?
The extraordinary events of the past few years have escalated the importance of the arts. More than ever, people need to be together, share in the experience that only comes through live theatre, and use that experience to develop empathy and understanding. Northlight’s new theatre center will transform Chicago’s arts and culture landscape. And because of Northlight’s commitment to arts education in schools throughout the Chicago area, the new theatre center will be essential in building future theatre audiences. And finally, Northlight’s commitment to being more inclusive and diversifying its audience will be more fully realized with a new accessible theatre center in downtown Evanston.