13 Historic Ohio Theaters Locals Swear Are Seriously Haunted

Ohio’s old theaters hold more than just memories of standing ovations and sold-out shows. Behind the velvet curtains and ornate balconies, strange sounds echo through empty halls, and shadowy figures appear where no living person stands.

Locals who work in these historic buildings share spine-tingling stories of ghostly encounters that’ll make you think twice about staying after the final curtain call.

1. Cincinnati Music Hall (Cincinnati)

Built atop a former pauper’s cemetery, this Gothic beauty has earned its reputation as one of America’s most haunted venues. Construction workers discovered thousands of unmarked graves during renovations, which might explain the phantom footsteps heard throughout the building.

Staff members report doors slamming shut on their own and cold spots appearing in the middle of summer. Some visitors claim to see a woman in Victorian clothing wandering the balconies, forever searching for something lost.

The basement holds the creepiest tales, where workers refuse to go alone after dark.

2. Twin City Opera House (McConnelsville)

This charming small-town theater from 1892 packs serious supernatural punch despite its modest size. A former stagehand named Everett reportedly never left his post, even after passing away decades ago.

Performers preparing backstage often hear their names whispered when nobody else is around. Props move mysteriously between rehearsals, and the stage lights flicker during particularly emotional scenes without any electrical explanation.

Local actors consider Everett a friendly presence who simply loved the theater too much to leave. Some even leave him coffee backstage as a gesture of respect and goodwill.

3. Victoria Theatre (Dayton)

Dating back to 1866, this Dayton landmark has witnessed everything from vaudeville acts to modern Broadway shows. The ghost of a former actress allegedly haunts the dressing rooms, leaving behind the scent of vintage perfume.

Security guards doing late-night rounds report hearing music playing from the empty stage. Cleaning crews find seats mysteriously flipped down in sections they just finished, as if invisible audience members settled in for a show.

The balcony seems especially active, with cold drafts appearing suddenly and unexplained shadows moving across the ornate ceiling.

4. Ohio Theatre (Columbus)

Columbus’s most spectacular theater opened in 1928 as a movie palace that took everyone’s breath away. Today, it still impresses visitors—both living and otherwise.

A ghostly usher in vintage uniform has been spotted guiding confused patrons to their seats, only to vanish mid-conversation. The projection booth experiences unexplained equipment malfunctions that technicians can’t explain with logic alone.

Musicians performing with the Columbus Symphony report feeling watched from the empty upper balconies. Some swear they’ve heard applause echoing through the theater long after audiences have departed for the night.

5. Lorain Palace Theatre (Lorain)

This 1928 movie palace sits along Lake Erie, where the fog rolls in and things get decidedly spooky. Former projectionists claim a ghostly figure watches movies from the back row, never staying for the credits.

During restoration work, contractors heard children laughing in the empty auditorium at dawn. The laughter would stop immediately when anyone entered to investigate, leaving behind only an eerie silence.

Theater managers report lights turning on by themselves in specific patterns, almost like someone’s sending a message. The candy counter occasionally smells like popcorn even when the machines haven’t run for days.

6. Canton Palace Theatre (Canton)

Opening night in 1926 was magical, and apparently some spirits decided to make this palace their permanent home. A phantom organist plays the mighty Kilgen organ late at night, treating empty seats to concerts nobody requested.

Backstage, performers encounter a well-dressed gentleman who offers encouragement before shows, then disappears through solid walls. The dressing rooms hold mirrors that sometimes reflect figures not actually present in the room.

Security footage captures unexplained orbs of light floating through the auditorium. Staff members joke that the ghosts appreciate good performances and make their approval known through mysterious happenings.

7. Ritz Theatre (Tiffin)

Tiffin’s beloved Ritz opened in 1928 and quickly became the town’s entertainment hub. Locals whisper about the former manager who loved the place so fiercely that death couldn’t make him leave.

Moviegoers report feeling someone brush past them in empty aisles during screenings. The manager’s office door locks and unlocks itself, and his desk chair sometimes spins slowly when nobody’s touched it.

Projection equipment turns on without human intervention, as if preparing for a show. Staff members working closing shifts never feel quite alone, sensing a protective presence watching over the beloved theater.

8. Strand Theatre (Delaware)

Delaware’s Strand Theatre has entertained audiences since 1916, and some patrons apparently enjoyed the shows enough to return after death. A ghostly couple dressed in old-fashioned clothing appears in the same balcony seats for every performance.

Witnesses describe them sitting close together, watching the stage intently before fading away during intermission. The box office experiences strange occurrences too, with ticket rolls unspooling themselves and vintage coins appearing in the cash drawer.

Actors performing on stage sometimes glimpse movement in the wings where nobody stands. The building’s age and history create perfect conditions for paranormal activity.

9. Majestic Theatre (Chillicothe)

Chillicothe’s Majestic lives up to its name with both stunning architecture and spectacular ghost stories. Built in 1853, it’s witnessed generations of performances and plenty of drama both on and offstage.

A little girl in an old-fashioned dress appears in the audience, giggling at comedies and wiping tears during sad moments. She vanishes when approached, leaving behind only the faint smell of peppermint candy.

Stagehands report tools disappearing and reappearing in impossible locations. The green room feels especially haunted, with actors refusing to rehearse there alone after experiencing unexplained cold touches on their shoulders.

10. Peoples Bank Theatre (Marietta)

Perched along the Ohio River, this 1919 theater has collected ghost stories like other buildings collect dust. Former performers who died tragically allegedly return to take their final bows on the stage they loved.

A phantom piano player practices scales in the orchestra pit when the theater sits empty. Cleaning staff hear applause erupting from the vacant auditorium, as if an invisible audience just witnessed something spectacular.

The costume room experiences the most activity, with vintage outfits swaying on their hangers despite no air movement. Some volunteers claim they’ve seen full apparitions trying on costumes in the mirrors.

11. Hanna Theatre (Cleveland)

Part of Cleveland’s famous Playhouse Square, the Hanna opened in 1921 with elegance that still impresses today. A ghostly actress in a shimmering gown glides through the lobby, seemingly late for a performance that ended decades ago.

Electricians working on the lighting system report tools floating away from their hands and landing gently nearby. The elevator operates by itself, traveling between floors with no passengers aboard and stopping at the same level repeatedly.

Dressing room mirrors fog up mysteriously, and performers sometimes see handprints appear that don’t match their own. The supernatural activity increases during sold-out shows.

12. Akron Civic Theatre (Akron)

This 1929 atmospheric theater designed to resemble a Moorish castle hosts more than just live performances. A former stagehand nicknamed Fred supposedly protects the theater, making his presence known through helpful interventions.

Equipment that should fail mysteriously works during crucial moments, and dangerous situations resolve themselves impossibly. Performers climbing the rigging feel steadying hands when they stumble, though nobody’s there to help.

The starry ceiling occasionally displays shooting stars that aren’t part of the lighting design. Staff members consider Fred their guardian angel, grateful for his supernatural assistance keeping everyone safe.

13. Stambaugh Auditorium (Youngstown)

Youngstown’s premier concert hall opened in 1926 as a gift to the community, and some music lovers apparently never wanted to leave. A ghostly conductor appears during rehearsals, keeping time with an invisible baton before vanishing mid-measure.

Musicians tuning their instruments hear phantom orchestras warming up in empty sections of the stage. The acoustics in the hall sometimes carry voices and laughter from performances that happened generations ago.

Security guards doing rounds encounter a distinguished gentleman in vintage formal wear who nods politely before walking through locked doors. The supernatural encounters feel respectful rather than frightening.