The GhostLight Theater in Benton Harbor is growing.

Founder and manager Paul Mow tells us they’ve purchased a 40,000 square foot lot adjacent to the property at 101 Hinkley Street. It took some time, but Mow says the long hoped-for goal has been achieved.

“Thanks to some of our generous donors, we felt like now is the time to be able to put down payment on that mortgage and go ahead and do that,” Mow said. “We have a much needed expansion in the offing. We’re not sure exactly how soon that’ll happen, but we’ve long needed additional rehearsal space and have a super long list of additional needs to our existing floor plan.”

The new lot was originally part of what is now the Ghostlight property, but the parcels were split years ago and a building that was on the newly-acquired lot, at 123 Hinkley Street, was torn down. Mow says they’re going to build something new there.

“We’re going to try to work our way over there. Right now we have the back parking lot that we might add on to our existing building, but then like make our way over onto that land or turn that land into the parking lot as we continue to expand.”

In addition to needing more rehearsal space, Mow says the Ghostlight needs storage and office space. They’re also hoping to acquire a liquor license to have a small bar.

The GhostLight announced the property acquisition at a private celebration this past weekend with supporter and actor Ernie Hudson on hand. Mow says a capital campaign will now begin to raise funds for the construction of the planned addition.

The hope is to build the addition and have it open sometime in 2027 or 2028.