Haunted theatres combine rich history, emotional stories, and tradition steeped in superstition.
From footsteps in an otherwise empty auditorium to unexplained figures appearing backstage, theatre ghost stories have passed between actors, technicians, stage managers, and volunteers for generations. And when you spend enough late nights working in old theatres, it’s easy to understand how those stories take on a life of their own.
In honor of spooky season, Beyond Theatre Collective asked theatre professionals to share the unexplained experiences, local legends, and ghost stories connected to the places where they create.
Here are *10 supposedly haunted theatres across America—and the stories that continue to haunt their stages.
* Submissions have been edited for clarity/grammer/etc.
Andrews Hall at Sonoma Community Center (Sonoma, CA)
One night, after strike I turned out the light and said ‘thank you theater, we appreciate you.’ A silly little ritual I always do. I suddenly felt a cold chill up my neck and distinctly heard “you’re welcome.” – Jamie Love, Co-Founder and Director of Sonoma Arts Live
At Sonoma Arts Live in Sonoma, California, the spirits of Andrews Hall’s namesakes may still be keeping an eye on the theatre. Located inside the Sonoma Community Center, which was also featured in the 1996 horror film Scream, Andrews Hall is named after Dr. and Mrs. Andrews, who helped save the historic building from demolition. During a 2017 production of The Chaotic Art of Life, the theatre experienced unexplained technical failures after staff covered the couple’s portrait with artwork, only for the problems to disappear once it was uncovered. Other mysterious occurrences include apples found with bite marks in a locked lobby, flickering lights, and a stage curtain that reportedly sways on its own.
Columbus Middle School (Columbus, MS)
Our ghost “Cathy” targets the lead actor in every play. In the 16 years I’ve been here, almost every lead actor has either gotten hurt or sick during rehearsals or production. We’ve had everything from severe migraines to fainting to dislocated knees to pneumonia.” – Chelsea Petty, Theatre Teacher at Columbus Middle and High Schools
The building itself may be newer, but that doesn’t make it any less haunted. According to legend, “Cathy” was working at a nearby theatre and had an accident, and she passed away during the ambulance ride to the hospital. The site where she is believed to have moved on eventually became Columbus Middle School, built in 2011. The school also reports lights randomly turning on and staying on for a few seconds, or even for several days.
Let this be a warning: if you write and produce a play about the ghost haunting your theatre, you may come to regret it.
About 11 years ago, Chelsea Petty wrote The Legend of Cathy, a play about their school theatre’s resident ghost. During the final performance, the school’s motion-sensor security alarm was triggered in the fine arts wing.
The vice principal responded and checked the security cameras. He reported seeing the motion-activated light in the girls’ bathroom nearest the theatre turn on and then off. Moments later, a security camera farther down the hall activated, followed by the art room light flashing on and off. Then, all the cameras went dark.
Afterward, the vice principal asked Petty never to write another play about Cathy. When Petty asked to see the footage, they were told it had been deleted.
Grand Rapids Civic Theatre (Grand Rapids, MI)
You feel the ghosts of the past when you walk into our space. – Allyson Paris, Interium Artistic Director at Grand Rapids Civic Theatre (original quote from Grand Rapids Magazine)
Celebrating 100 years is a huge milestone, especially for a theatre. Grand Rapids Civic Theatre is celebrating its 100th season, has operated from its current home since 1979, and comprises four historic buildings: the Wenham Building (1878), the Hull Building (1890), the Botsford Building (1892), and the Meijer Majestic Theatre (1903). Four buildings means 4x the hauntings, right?
Reports include an “evil presence” in the theatre’s peanut gallery. This area now serves as storage and for spotlight operators, but it’s considered the most haunted part of the building. People often hear unexplained whispers or heavy footsteps throughout the theatre and occasionally see lights flicker (though the wiring and the building’s age could explain that). GRCT also partners with Betka-Pope Productions for annual Ghost Light tours of the theatre for fans of both local history and the paranormal.
The theatre also boasts a resident bat named Leon. Catching a glimpse of Leon during a performance or tech rehearsal is considered good luck for a show’s run.
Richmond Civic Theatre (Richmond, IN)
I’m completely comfortable with all of our invisible friends, as are most folks here. But others don’t even want to THINK about there being ghosts! But the ghosts are here to stay. – Bonnie Miller, Office Manager at Richmond Civic Theatre
Built in 1909 as a vaudeville house, this historic Richmond, Indiana, theatre has welcomed performers like the Marx Brothers, Burns and Allen, and a young Sammy Davis Jr. According to office manager Bonnie Miler, several spirits are believed to remain in the building, including its original manager, Omar Murray, founding director Norbert Silbiger, and former volunteers who still seem eager to help backstage. Staff members have reported unexplained footsteps, slamming drawers, moving props, shadowy figures, and even costume pieces mysteriously appearing when needed. One of Miler’s most memorable experiences occurred during the COVID shutdown, when she and the youth theatre director heard a piano playing and someone whistling in an otherwise empty rehearsal room. The music reportedly continued for more than 25 minutes and was still being heard when the director returned the following day.
Want to hear more from the theatre’s resident ghosts? Read Bonnie Miler’s full account of the unexplained experiences, including mysterious visitors in the costume shop, shadows in the balconies, and spirits believed to be attached to historic props.
South Eugene High School (Eugene, OR)
“We actually have a haunted high school theater with an actual ghost. His name is Robby; he’s a teenager who fell to his death from the catwalk during construction of the theater back in the 50s. We’ve been written up in various ghost hunter journals and on TV shows.” – John Monteverde, High School Theatre Director at South Eugene High School
Early 1970s reports describe lights mysteriously switching on and off, strange noises on the catwalk, and sightings of someone hanging around the theater after it was locked up for the night. Reports also mention cold spots on the seats where he supposedly landed; pieces of brick have fallen on audience members who sit in those seats, which is odd because there’s no brick left in the building.
Skylight Music Theatre (Milwaukee, WI)
One of my favorite local ghost stories is that of Skylight Theatre. The founder, Clair Richardson, requested that upon his death, his ashes be kept underneath the stage so everyone who is part of a performance will always know that their decisions were being made “over [his] dead body.” – Kathryn Brostowitz, theatre enthusiast and co-host of I Scream You Scream Podcast
As part of the theatre’s pre-show checklist, spotlight operators must have light on his urn for every performance; otherwise, his spirit will wreak havoc. They also keep a shot of whisky next to his urn during performances to keep him happy!
Starry Night Theatre (North Tonawanda, NY)
Nicknamed “The Ghostlight Theatre,” Starry Night Theatre has used the former church, built in 1889, as its home since 2001. Spirits have appeared both on and offstage, including a production of Christmas Carol back in 2004 (pictured).
They are haunted by at least three spirits: a male spirit in the spiral staircase, a little girl named Mary, and their most famous spirit: The Lady in Red. Some former cast members have also popped in from time to time to check on their beloved theatre from beyond the grave.
The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves (Webster Groves, MO)
Beyond its artistic appeal, the Guild is also famously steeped in mystery, with numerous reports of ghostly encounters and unexplained phenomena. – Theatre Guild of Webster Groves, shared by Taylor Brill
Another theatre celebrating its 100th season, The Theatre Guild of Webster Groves in Webster Groves, Missouri, has more than just theatrical history within its walls. Located on Theatre Lane, the historic theatre has earned a reputation for paranormal activity, with reports of ghostly encounters and unexplained occurrences adding to its mysterious atmosphere. Its haunted history even inspired an entire chapter in Patrick Dorsey’s 2015 book, Haunted Webster Groves. While the details of these encounters remain part of the Guild’s local lore, its reputation has drawn theatre enthusiasts and paranormal investigators alike.
Twisted Arts Initiative (Inverness, FL)
When we first started performing, our actors would feel hands on their backs; they would have weird fingerprint bruises appear. You can hear voices and footsteps as well as doors closing when the space is mostly empty. None of our staff likes to be alone there. – Elisha Belden, Executive Director at Twisted Arts Initiative
The venue for Twisted Arts Initiative has been many things, including a church, a dialysis center, and now a theatre/tattoo parlor. While the theatre company may be newer to this space, its unique history has definitely provided some unexplained stories.
Woodstock Opera House (Woodstock, IL)
The Woodstock Opera House is legendary not only for the many Hollywood stars whose legends began on its stage, but also for the resident spirit, Elvira, who makes her presence known regularly. – Jeff Cook, Actor / Director / Author of The Final Girls
You may recognize the Pennsylvania Hotel from the movie Groundhog Day, but the Woodstock Opera House is an active theatre home to several theatre companies, including Friends of the Woodstock Opera House, Theatre 121, and Woodstock Children’s Summer Theatre.
Built in 1889 and opened in 1890, the historic Woodstock Opera House has hosted legendary performers, including Orson Welles and Paul Newman, but its most mysterious resident may be a ghost named Elvira.
According to local legend, Elvira was a young actress who died after leaping from the building’s bell tower, although historical evidence supporting her story remains elusive. She is said to haunt the theatre’s balcony, where seat DD113 is reportedly reserved for her; patrons report cold spots, the seat shaking, and more, depending on how she feels about the performance onstage. Performers and visitors have also reported seeing a woman in a flowing gown, hearing unexplained sounds, and seeing objects move backstage.
Whether you believe in ghosts or think every mysterious noise backstage can be blamed on an old building, one thing is certain: theatres are very good at collecting stories.
Maybe it’s because generations of people have spent countless hours rehearsing, performing, building, creating and gathering in these spaces. Or maybe some performers simply aren’t ready to give up the spotlight.
Either way, these stories become another part of a theatre’s history—passed from one cast and crew to the next, usually during a late-night rehearsal or as someone turns off the lights at the end of the night.
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