Northlight Theatre told the Tribune Tuesday that it plans finally to break ground on a new Evanston home in early March. The new theater building, which is projected to cost around $32 million, is expected to be ready in time for the 2026-27 season.
Northlight Theatre is thrilled to announce a $3 million leadership gift from past President/Chairperson of the theatre’s Board of Trustees Paul Finnegan for its new theatre building at 1012-16 Church Street in downtown Evanston.
City Council voted Monday to allocate $2 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds to Northlight Theatre. The money will support the construction of a new performing arts center in downtown Evanston… With Monday’s allocation, the company is now looking to fundraise an additional $24 million to relocate to a new facility at 1012-18 Church St. in Evanston, as its current lease in Skokie will expire in 2024.
Theater stresses community involvement, local impact as it requests ARPA funds.
“The staff at Northlight is very invested in its community engagement programs,” said Christina Lepri, Northlight’s Director of Education & Community Engagement.
Northlight Theatre staged a groundbreaking for its new location at 1012 Church St. in downtown Evanston Tuesday. The new theater is scheduled to open in Fall 2026. Executive Director Tim Evans said the new site “in the heart of a revitalized downtown Evanston” is a “long-awaited homecoming” for the theater.
