At 5:30 tonight, theatres nationally signal committment to inclusion and compassion

As hundreds of thousands of visitors descend on the Nation’s Capital for the Inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, over 500 theatres here and around the country will participate in The Ghostlight Project a collection of candlelit gatherings that will happen simultaneously around the nation on Thursday, January 19, 2017 at 5:30 p.m. The project aims to create a light to “renew and pledge to stand for and protect the values of inclusion, participation and compassion for everyone, regardless of race, class, religions, country of origin, immigration status, (dis)ability, age, gender identity or sexual orientation.”

Inspired by the tradition of leaving a “ghost light” on in a darkened theater, artists and community members associated with Broadway theatres, resident theatres, university theatre programs, high school theatre troupes, and community theatres will gather outside their venues at 5:30 p.m. and shine a light to demonstrate that there can be light in dark times.

Chris Jennings, Shakespeare Theatre Company Executive Director said “As part of our nations thriving creative community, we believe it’s important to stand in solidarity with our contemporaries across the country and with our colleagues at Creative Cauldron and Arena Stage, Folger Theatre, Mosaic Theater Company of DC and Theater J in D.C.