"On Jan. 19, the eve of the presidential inauguration, more than 500 theatres across the nation will unite with Ghostlight Project (initially announced in December as the Sanctuary Project). The idea is simple: Artists and community members associated with Broadway theatres, resident theatres, university theatre programs, high school theatre troupes, and community theatres will gather outside their spaces at 5:30 p.m. and shine a light—via candle, mobile device, or flashlight—to demonstrate that there can be light in dark times," as reported in American Theatre in an article by Allison Considine.
"Through this symbolic act, theatres will make and renew pledges to promote and protect values of inclusion, participation, and compassion for everyone regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The Ghostlight Project will show that theatre is not only a safe space but a brave one," the article goes on to say.
“The idea was born out of a deep despair after the election and a real feeling that we had to show solidarity, love, and community in the face of this onslaught of hate that has bubbled up around the ideas of race, gender, sexuality, and ‘difference’ of any kind,” says scenic designer David Zinn, who conceived the event. “I felt like the theatre community is a model of—or at least has been working toward being a model of—the kind of world we want to live in: a world that has a multiplicity of voices and points of views, and gives voice to the voiceless.”
For additional information, visit Ghostlight Project website.