STERLING — A new play that has been called “funny but also emotionally powerful” will be on stage at Sterling High School Theatre at 7:30 p.m. tonight and Saturday, Jan. 28 and 29. That play is Ghostlight by Stephen Gregg. A cast of 18 will be featured in the play which is being directed by Piper Harding. 

The script is set in a high school and features high school students, teachers, and other adults as characters. At the center is student Garbiela, played by Kelsey Webb. When indifferent student Garbiela Nettles is inexplicably admitted to the prestigious Doves Forge Academy, all she wants to do is leave. But before she can get herself expelled, Garbiela starts to hear sounds that no one else hears, ghost echoes from the remnants of a long-ago tragedy in the school’s theater. As she investigates the sounds (by joining the disastrous play in progress) Garbiela uncovers a story that’s both surprising and surprisingly moving. 

The theatrical term “ghostlight” refers to the single light which illuminates a darkened stage at night. 

The show is theatrically staged using the audience and live sound effects. Ghostlight has hilarious characters, unexpected twists, and a riotous finale. Olathe South High School director David Hastings was the first to direct the new play last year. He said, “It is so funny but also emotionally powerful. The surprises keep coming. It’s brilliant.” 

Other Sterling High actors who will play high school students in the show include Sophia Schneider, Micah Svaty, Judah Kuhn, Luke Hooker, Maddie Fales, Karissa Wilson, Reyna Sanchez, Isabelle Bates, Brayden Higgins and Riley Richter. Various teachers and other adults will be played by Kailyn Hartman, Cedric Wilson, Ella Wellman, Olivia Kilgore, Shklar Olsen, Zoe Harding and Zain Kateley. 

Tickets for Ghostlight are $5 for adults and $4 for students and will be available at the door before each performance.