“The Kupferer-Mallens are Chicago theater stalwarts, having founded their own company, and the affection everyone involved with this project feels for the stage – as an art, therapy and practice – is so evident as to be contagious. – The Guardian
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, Chicago's only professional theater that seeks to advance women through the power of storytelling, is kicking off its 30th Anniversary Season Campaign with a special benefit screening event with the filmmakers and cast of the critically acclaimed, award winning, independent film Ghostlight by Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson. The event will be held Tuesday December 9, 2025 at 7:30pm at the Davis Theater, 4614 N. Lincoln Ave. in Chicago.
Ghostlight is a love-letter to the Chicago Theater community, a breakout hit at Sundance 2024 and went on to play at theaters across the globe garnering accolades from critics and audiences alike. Nominated for the coveted Independent Spirit “Cassavetes” award, the film stars RTE founders Keith Kupferer and Tara Mallen, with their daughter Katherine Mallen Kupferer and the Internationally acclaimed actor Dolly de Leon (Triangle of Sadness, Between the Temples, Nine Perfect Strangers) and featuring Chicago theater performers Hanna Dworkin, Dexter Zollicoffer, HB Ward, Tommy Rivera Vega, Alma Washington and Matthew Yee.
Tickets are available through Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, https://www.rivendelltheatre.org/; (773) 334-7728.
The evening includes the Ghostlight screening and post-show conversation with the filmmakers and cast. General admission tickets are $50 with a limited number of $25 tickets available for students. “Meet the Artists” tickets, $250, also include an exclusive pre-show cocktail reception with the filmmakers and cast. VIP ticket-holders, $500, additionally receive a special invitation to an exclusive “sneak peek” screening of Kelly O’Sullivan and Alex Thompson’s latest film, date and location TBD. This beautiful new film stars Katherine Mallen Kupferer with Tara Mallen in a featured role.
Hailed by Harpers Bazaar as “a beautifully woven tale of the restorative powers of art and community”, the film received a 99% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The Chicago Sun-Times called it "a quietly compelling film that shows how power of theater brings teens and parents together." Roger Ebert.com wrote, “An open-hearted meditation that is as gentle as it is
extraordinary.”
About Rivendell:
It’s Women’s Work. And for 30 years, it has been our work.
Serving as a narrative of change, Rivendell has been hard at work for 30 years making a tangible difference in the world by giving voice to women through artistic recognition of their lives. With the support of an award-winning ensemble of artists, Rivendell combats the inequities experienced by women in the theater landscape through gender parity at all levels of theatrical production, and by creates a meaningful and rewarding experience for audiences and community by being a catalyst for conversation through relevant, insightful stories.
Artistic Director Tara Mallen founded Rivendell Theatre Ensemble (RTE) in 1994 with a group of like-minded artists. Since its inception, Rivendell has grown to uniquely fill an important role as Chicago’s premier women-focused storefront theatre and recognized as a national force in new play development and as a home for women theatre artists, engaging over 200 artists and 3,000+ audience members each year through its mainstage season, new work development, and outreach.
For more information about Rivendell Theatre Ensemble, visit http://rivendelltheatre.org. Follow Rivendell on Facebook at Facebook.com/rivendelltheatre and on Instagram at @rivendelltheatre.
Rivendell Theatre Ensemble is supported by generous grants from: SIF Fund at The Chicago Community Trust; ArtsWork Fund: TERRA Foundation for American Art; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; Shubert Foundation; Bayless Family Foundation; Driehaus Foundation; Illinois Arts Council Agency; and The Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation.