Ghosts: A Slow Theatre Ritual for Collective Healing

CHICAGO – Theatre for Hope and Healing invites you to an immersive Slow Theatre staged reading of Henrik Ibsen’s Ghosts. This timely production, directed by psychotherapist Harry Barandes, LCSW, reimagines theatre as an intimate communal healing ritual that combines storytelling and entertainment with mental health support. The experience will be staged at the Little Studio in the historic Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, on Tuesday, March 19, and Wednesday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m. Press are welcome to attend either evening. In-person tickets range from $18 to $30, and livestream access is available with tiered and pay-what-you-can options. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/67570152143.

Event Details:

• Dates & Times: Tuesday, March 19, and Wednesday, March 20, at 7:30 p.m.
• Location: The Little Studio, Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605
• Tickets: In-person tickets range from $18 to $30, and livestream access is available with tiered and pay-what-you-can options. Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/67570152143.

About the Event:

Theatre for Hope and Healing creates human-centered theatre that serves as shared experiences of hope, transformation, and connection. This staged reading of Ghosts is designed as a communal healing ritual, inviting attendees to engage deeply with the narrative and its themes.

What to Expect:

• Pre-Performance: Grounding exercises and a Brave Space agreement to create a supportive environment.
• Performance: A staged reading brought to life by a talented ensemble of well-rehearsed actors, whose dynamic performances deepen the emotional impact of the piece. Accompanied by a science-backed soundscape designed by Aaron Harris Woodstein, the performance integrates techniques that support emotional regulation and connection, creating an immersive and healing theatrical experience.
• Post-Performance: A trauma-informed discussion led by director and psychotherapist Harry Barandes, LCSW, connecting the play’s themes to contemporary experiences.

Content Advisory: A detailed content note is available for those who prefer insight into Ghosts’ potentially challenging themes prior to attending.

About Theatre for Hope and Healing:

Theatre for Hope and Healing is a mental-health-centered theatre company dedicated to the transformative power of storytelling. We believe theatre and the narrative arts empower individuals to claim authorship over their stories and live their authentic truths. Our mission is to foster hope and promote healing in individuals, families, and communities through performance, education, and conversation—cultivating narrative agency and embracing narrative pluralism.

Rooted in the principles of Slow Theatre, we create intentional, immersive experiences that prioritize deep engagement, accessibility, and communal reflection. By reimagining theatre as a space for shared humanity and transformation, we invite audiences to connect, process, and heal through the art of storytelling.

Media Contact:

Janine Ashley

Co-Director

Theatre for Hope and Healing

hello@theatreforhopeandhealing.org

(312) 967-9912

For more information, visit TheatreForHopeAndHealing.org.