B.J. Jones is an award-winning actor and director who has served as the artistic director of Skokie’s non-profit Northlight Theatre for more than 20 years. He has lived in Evanston since 1984.
Northlight recently announced it will return to Evanston in 2024 after spending the last 25 years at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie. The theater was located in Evanston from 1974 through 1997. Jones took over at Northlight in 1998.
Northlight’s new home at 1012 Church St. will include a state-of-the-art 300-seat theatre and complex. Construction began in July and the new facility is expected to be a big draw for downtown Evanston. Along with other new nearby developments, this new project aims to increase visitor traffic, consumer spending and economic development in the area.
Northlight is deeply invested in using the arts to build strong communities by partnering with organizations such as Y.O.U., YWCA Evanston/North Shore, Family Focus, Evanston Scholars, McGaw YMCA, Youth Job Center and Levy Senior Center. Northlight’s new home in Evanston will serve to deepen these partnerships and expand their impact.
In this edition of People You Should Know, B.J. Jones is interviewed by ETHS alum Eric Smith, Northlight’s staff administrative assistant.
People You Should Know is a video series produced as a joint project of the RoundTable, the Evanston Chamber of Commerce and Byline Bank.
Well done! BJ, your enthusiasm, as always, jumps off the screen! Onward to Evanston!
What a wonderful interview! Thank you!
I cannot wait until Northlight opens in Evanston.
Awesome interview Eric!
What a wonderful interview!