At the end of every show, the last person in the theatre turns on the "ghost light." This is a bare bulb on a stand that is placed onstage; the origins of the practice are unclear. Some say it is so named to chase away the ghosts of all of the characters that have ever appeared on that stage. Some say it is to protect the room from the residual effects of all the roiling emotions produced by actors and audience members. Some say it is just a way to ensure that anyone who wanders into the dark room does not fall off the stage and break a hip. I believe all of those things.
I also believe that the ghost light ensures that there is more to come. Just as you leave the front porch light on for friends and family, we leave the ghost light on for artists to return. And even though we have canceled all performances in April and May, we know artists will return. Art will again be made here. Audiences will return.
Looking toward that future when we will enjoy live theatre together, we have been able to reschedule the Reduced Shakespeare Company's
Hamlet's Big Adventure (a prequel)
for July 12 at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Tickets will go on sale July 1. As we await the restoration of normalcy, our artists have sent us their special greetings and talent to share – scroll down for the links to their messages.
Until we are together again, stay well, RCC friends.
