About The Company
The purpose of Ghost Light Opera is to perform works of musical theatre, such as operas, operettas, and musicals, by great but historically neglected composers; to invite members of the community to perform in these works; and to create performances that are not only accessible, but transformative, for all who wish to see them.
About The Name
Although Ghost Light Opera does mainly produce light opera, we aren't owned by a ghost (although that would be cool). Rather, the name was inspired by the theatre tradition of having a ghost light.
A ghost light is a lamp, usually just a naked bulb on a pole, that is left onstage when everyone is gone.
A ghost light in a theatre serves a necessary practical purpose: it keeps people from falling over things in the dark. However, there are supernatural stories about it as well. Some say the reason it's called the "ghost" light is because ghosts use it to perform their shows when they have the theatre all to themselves.
So, if you think of it that way, a ghost light enables people to perform who wouldn't otherwise get the chance.
That is our mission
A light can be helpful, when it shows the way; it can be unsettling, when it reveals things that were previously hidden; and it can be empowering, giving us the means to carry on in darkness.
Theatre, too, can be all these things.
If you have ideas as to how we can better achieve it, please let us know by completing the form on the Contact page.
Sally O'Sullivan
Musical Director
Sally founded Ghost Light Opera and currently serves as its musical director. She studied music at Skidmore College and music education at Montclair State University, and enjoys conducting, singing, playing the piano, and interacting with unusual creatures.
Here she is with two subjects from Leonora Carrington's Samain (1951), who kindly agreed to pose nearby.