Northlight Theatre Moving

Eckenhoff Saunders is partnering with Northlight Theatre to bring the company back to Evanston, where it originally started 45 years ago. Currently located in Skokie, Illinois, Northlight is one of the largest non-profit professional theatres in Chicago. Northlight will purchase a building located at 1012-1016 Church Street near downtown Evanston by the end of the year and build a new 312-seat, Thurst Proscenium Mainstage theatre, rehearsal hall, and backstage support spaces in its place. The theatre will also feature a cafe and rooftop deck, becoming downtown Evanston’s “living room.”

Now in early fundraising stages, Northlight is also receiving $927,500 as part of the proposed State of Illinois arts funding capital bill. Principal Craig M. Smith, AIA, NCARB, is leading Eckenhoff Saunders’ planning and design efforts for the new theatre where patrons can enjoy the excitement and energy of performance arts. Learn more about the capital spending bill in this recent Chicago Sun-Times article ($ subscription).