A ghost light is a single lightbulb left on when a theatre is unoccupied, usually placed in the middle of a stage. Practically speaking, it’s a safety precaution, so that whoever is first to enter the theatre can navigate to turn the main lights on. But theatre is steeped in tradition and superstition — the ghost light is known to either keep theatre-dwelling ghosts appeased or scare them away, depending on who you ask.

As the Bower Theatre undergoes renovation and the Elgood Theatre remains dark to accommodate construction, Flint Rep’s Ghost Light Cabaret series will keep these spaces active (and illuminated) for the 2025-26 season.

Nicole Samsel, Flint Rep’s interim artistic & managing director, has experience working at 54 Below, a renowned cabaret space dubbed “Broadway’s Living Room.” She said that since falling in love with that style of performance, which broadens the experience for both performers and audiences, she’s looked forward to producing her own series.

The format of the Ghost Light Cabaret series features one 75- to 90-minute concert per month in an intimate club-style setting in the Elgood Theatre lobby, with a different musical theme for each concert.

Samsel explained that this format can reduce barriers for theatre-goers: it’s shorter than a typical musical, it’s easy to get up to use the restroom or fill their drink, and the perception of “theatre etiquette” (which may stress some attendees out) doesn’t apply.

“It’s a much more casual and relaxed setting. The bar is open the whole time, people are encouraged to get up, grab a drink, or even stand at high-top tables in the back if they want to,” she said.

The cabaret also gives audiences the opportunity to “meet” performers as themselves, rather than as the characters they play.

“Performers may get to sing a song in a different way because they aren’t telling the story through the circumstances of a play in a particular moment — maybe they interpret it differently, or even just sing it straight and get to tell stories about the experience of being in or seeing the show,” Samsel said.

The series has several fun concerts in a range of themes, including Broadway Thrillers, Women Who Rock, Celebrating Pride and a Stevie Wonder Tribute, to name a few. Samsel said that this format gives The Rep more flexibility to bring diverse offerings beyond the four mainstage productions, emphasizing that there’s a little something for everyone in the lineup.

“We’re really trying to expand and further our reach, and it’s worth taking on a risk. You can walk in, take a seat, go on a 75-minute ride and still go for a late dinner if you’re hungry. It’s perfect,” said Samsel.

So far, the risk has proven worthwhile. Performances in September and October were sold-out to a standing-room crowd; a sure sign that sometimes-unexpected changes (like moving to a new theatre home for a bit) can open the door to an exciting new world of possibilities.

Don’t miss the fun! View the full lineup of Ghost Light Cabaret performances and more below.