Northlight Theatre is proud to be among the largest and longest-running nonprofit theatres in the Chicago area. Established in 1974 as the Evanston Theatre Company, Northlight was co-founded by Gregory Kandel (one of the founders of the League of Chicago Theaters), Frank Galati (Tony Award-winning writer/director), and Mike Nussbaum (veteran actor). Since its first season in 1975-76, Northlight has aspired to promote change of perspective and encourage compassion through its mainstage productions, dynamic education and community programs, and dedication to new work.

Now in our 50th Anniversary Season, Northlight has mounted over 250 productions, including more than 45 world premieres. Northlight is an award-winning theatre with 238 Joseph Jefferson Award nominations and 36 Awards, as well as 11 Edgerton Foundation for New Play Awards. With dynamic leadership from Artistic Director BJ Jones and Executive Director Tim Evans, Northlight is a regional magnet for critical and professional acclaim, as well as talent of the highest quality. 

Northlight's "Next Act" is to build a world-class theatre in Evanston, the vibrant community where Northlight began in 1974. In our new theatre home, owned and operated by Northlight, we will entertain and inspire audiences, expand our civic impact, and strengthen our ability to serve the entire Chicagoland area long into the future. Construction is well underway at 1012 Church St, and we anticipate welcoming audiences through our doors in Fall 2026. Read more about Northlight's Next Act.

Northlight Theatre sits on the traditional homelands of the people of the Council of Three Fires, the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi, as well as the Menominee, Miami, and Ho-Chunk nations. The original peoples of this region shared cultural customs that allowed for the establishment of trade practices across the region. Indigenous people continue to live in this area and celebrate their traditional teachings and lifeways.

Today, roughly 35,000 Native people from over 100 tribes live in the Chicagoland area.

Northlight Theatre makes this acknowledgment as part of our commitment to dismantling the ongoing legacies of settler colonialism from which we benefit. We commit to learning about and honoring the Indigenous peoples who stewarded and continue to steward the lands we have occupied and continue to occupy.

Learn more by visiting our website: northlight.org/land-acknowledgement