An email came in today from our new Technical Director Natalie R. Mabry. She had, she wrote, installed "Ghost Lights" on the stages. Interesting! I thought. As the Marketing Director, I'd never heard of a Ghost Light, except from folks talking about visting Marfa maybe. However, since I was a theater kid in High School, I know that theater is filled with weird traditions and interestingly-named things. I suspected there would be a good story behind whatever the heck Ghost Lights were. Plus it is October, the traditional month of ghosts, how could I NOT look into it?!
And I was not disappointed! It turns out that a Ghost Light is a light set up center stage and illuminated whenever the theater is unoccupied by the living staff. Wooooo! "Ghost lights provide opportunities for ghosts to perform onstage, thus appeasing them and preventing them from cursing the theater or sabotaging the set or production." Also, they also make it easier for the living staff to not trip over random objects when you make your way to the Ancient Filing Cabinet or go to fish programs out from under seats in a pitch black theater. Up until now, staff generally illuminated their path with their phone as they threaded their way amongst pieces of ancient Troy or through Ann Richard's office. So, three cheers for Natalie and the Ghost Lights! And break a leg to our ghostly performers.
Jen Schultes, Marketing Director
