Northlight Theatre Returns Home to Evanston After 29 Years

Northlight Theatre has officially returned to Evanston, Illinois, after a 29-year hiatus. The company celebrated the ribbon-cutting for its new, state-of-the-art $33 million theater located in downtown Evanston. This marks a significant homecoming, as the theater was founded in Evanston in 1974 as the Evanston Theatre Company.

For almost three decades, Northlight Theatre was situated in Skokie's North Shore Center for the Performing Arts. Now, at its new home at 1012 Church St., the theater's artistic director, BJ Jones, expressed excitement about regaining control over the box office and schedule, allowing for greater programming flexibility. The new venue features a 285-seat thrust-style stage and contemporary design.

The $33 million project, designed by Eckenhoff Saunders, is seen as a catalyst for revitalizing Evanston's business district, which has historically struggled with foot traffic. The theater's executive director, Tim Evans, noted that the presence of Northlight and its tenant, restaurateur Amy Morton's steakhouse, is expected to boost local commerce. The theater has successfully raised nearly all of its construction costs, avoiding significant debt.

Northlight's history in Evanston has been marked by various attempts to establish a permanent presence, including a past plan for a skyscraper venue that faced opposition. The theater's new location is accessible via public transportation, with CTA and Metra lines nearby. The inaugural production, a new adaptation of Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur's "The Front Page," is set to open on September 18.