As Broadway went dark this week, a beautiful Facebook post by Terri Purcell circulated about the legendary ghost light.
In the world of theatre, there is a tradition known as a ghost light. When a theater is left unoccupied, a single light bulb is always left glowing center stage.
Ghostly superstitions provoked its name, but the light’s purpose is one of safety.
A light left on in a theater insures that a person can find their way without falling victim to the hazards of the darkness - such as missing the edge of the stage and landing in the orchestra pit.
Purcell’s post about the ghost light reminded me that theatre guarantees light.
When I was a student at the Broadway Theatre Project many moons ago, director Kenny Leon shared one of my favorite quotes of all time. I may be paraphrasing him at this point, but here’s what I remember him saying:
“The theatre is the only place where people willingly go into the darkness so that they may see the light.”
I’m not sure that a theater is the only place where people voluntarily go into the darkness, but it is a place where people ALWAYS see the light.
At a time when our theaters are closed, we may feel lost in the dark. Some of our precautions are voluntary, but this darkness of social distancing, job loss and changes to our daily life is a three-act play outside of our control.
A guarantee of light suddenly seems less certain.
Thus, it is precisely now that we must exercise our faith that we will see the light.
We are theatre people. We are artists and arts patrons. We know our way around the darkness, and we believe in the light.
As this Mumford & Sons song says:
“So give me hope in the darkness that I will see the light
'Cause oh that gave me such a fright
But I will hold on as long as you like
Just promise me that we'll be alright”
Despite any of our own fear, anxiety, disappointment or pain, we are uniquely positioned to guide our fellow humans toward the light.
And so I ask you, how can you be a ghost light for others?
How can you offer hope and safety, helping others to see the light? Share your ideas in the comments below:
