When in full operation, sounds of music, laughter and life resound within Walton Arts Center. But when our stages are empty, a relic of a long-standing theatrical tradition lights the space.

There’s an old superstition in the performing arts community that theaters are prone to be haunted by ghosts. For example, it is rumored that Palace Theater on Broadway is home to over 100 spirits, including that of Judy Garland!

Theater professionals take superstition seriously (like saying “break a leg” to an actor who is about to take the stage), and the idea of theater spirits is no exception. It is thought that the belief in haunted theaters is what inspired the long-standing tradition of ghost lights.

Typically, a ghost light is a bare light bulb that is left on the stage when a theater closes for the night. Legend has it that the light is left on either to give the ghosts a chance to perform or to keep them from causing mischief. Even though its origins are supernatural, the ghost light continues to serve a practical purpose in modern theaters.

Performing arts stages typically have an orchestra pit at the end of the stage. This pit can be very deep and poses a danger to anyone on the stage if they get too close to the edge. When the lights go off at the end of the day, it is especially risky to be on the stage—that’s where the ghost light comes in.

The ghost light acts as a beacon for any person who finds themselves in a dark, empty theater. It lights the way for a safe return to the stage. During the COVID-19 pandemic, our theater is emptier than usual.

Walton Arts Center has been unable to host large-scale performances since March and our ghost light has been keeping the stage lit throughout our long intermission. We’ve also placed ghost lights in Walker Atrium, the Walmart Lobby and the Sudduth Garden Room as a reminder to our community that as Walton Arts Center faces an uncertain future, the true beacon of hope during this difficult time is you—the patron.

As we began canceling shows due to health and safety concerns surrounding COVID-19, many generous patrons chose to donate all or a portion of the cost of those tickets in lieu of a refund. As the concert season at the Walmart AMP (a Walton Art Center venue) was canceled, many members of Club AMP decided to donate the price of their membership to Walton Arts Center. These donors have become a symbolic ghost light for Walton Arts Center as their funds help us weather the storm. Their generosity inspired the Ghost Light Recovery Fund.

The loss of all large-scale performances at Walton Arts Center and the Walmart AMP until at least January 2021 has created a significant revenue shortfall for our nonprofit organization. Donations to the Ghost Light Recovery Fund will allow us to maintain our facilities, provide intermission programming (including virtual performances and educational content), retain our staff and offset lost revenue.

By donating to the Recovery Fund, you’ll help light the way for our return to the stage—just like a ghost light in a dark theater. Can you become a ghost light for Walton Arts Center?