9 Amazing Things You Didn't Know About Northlight Theatre!

Residing in Skokie, IL, Northlight Theatre has been a prominent theatre in the Chicagoland area for the past 42 years.

1. Jason Robert Brown's hit musical, The Last Five Years, was first seen at Northlight Theatre in 2001

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Jason Robert Brown's unconventional musical-dramedy, The Last Five Years, was originally seen by Northlight audiences in 2001. It has since taken off and received numerous productions, including a feature-length film starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan!

2. Actually, Northlight has always been an advocate for new work and has been the host of 39 world premieres!

3. Some of Northlight's new works cover topics like LGBT youth and ISIS recruitment in America.

Charm, a new play about LGBT youth being taught etiquette by an African American transgender woman, premiered in October of 2015. And Faceless, a new work about the trial of the 18 year old alleged ISIS affiliate, Susie Glenn, is set to premiere in January of 2017.

4. In addition to producing new work, Northlight is bringing current events and issues not only to the stage but out into the community. They host a Theatre for Social Change education program.

By using theatre as a medium for education, the program called Speak Up! seeks to bring current events into the classroom. Northlight's educational programming has reached 3400 students in 40 schools all across the Chicagoland area.

5. Northlight has also been an active participant in engaging with Veteran communities

Beginning in the late 70s, Northlight has offered a program through which military veterans from the area may see productions of Northlight's seasons for free. More recently, they have increased this programming to offer discounted or complimentary admission to all military personnel and their families, as well as veterans.

6. Famous Chicago based actors, Mike Nussbaum and Frank Galati co-founded Northlight alongside Gregory Kandel in 1974.

Before going on to be an associate director at the Goodman, a member of Steppenwolf Theatre Company, and an accomplished play adapter, Tony award winner, Frank Galati co-founded Northlight Theatre.

7. And current Artistic Director, BJ Jones, was a part of Northlight's original ensemble back then too!

Since then, BJ has directed 26 Northlight productions with this upcoming season bringing him to 28!

8. Legendary Chicago actor and co-founder, Mike Nussbaum will be appearing in his 15th Northlight production this coming season, starring in the role of Albert Einstein in Relativity

Mike Nussbaum was Northlight's original artistic director, and while he has appeared in Northlight productions from time to time since then, he has also made appearances on Broadway and in feature length films!

9. Northlight has consistently been awarded for its excellent theatre, being the recipient of 34 Jeff awards out of 198 nominations, as well as 9 Edgerton Awards.

The Jeff Awards honor excellence in professional theatre produced in the immediate Chicago area, while the Edgerton Awards provide support for an extended rehearsal process.

If you're looking to catch some intensely entertaining theatre in the Chicago, look no further than Northlight.