12 Old Ohio Theaters Haunted According To Locals
Ohio’s theaters hold more than just movies. They carry stories, secrets, and, according to locals, restless spirits.
From creaking floors to flickering lights, these old venues are said to host encounters that give visitors chills and spark curiosity.
Exploring them offers a mix of history, architecture, and spine-tingling tales that keep ghost hunters and thrill-seekers coming back.
For anyone fascinated by haunted places, these old Ohio theaters promise mystery, legend, and unforgettable experiences.
1. Cincinnati Music Hall: The Phantom Orchestra
Built atop an old paupers’ cemetery in 1878, Cincinnati Music Hall practically screams ‘haunted.’ Stagehands report ghostly musicians tuning instruments when the building is empty.
One security guard quit after encountering a man in 19th-century clothing who vanished through a solid wall.
The basement, once a morgue during the 1937 flood, is apparently so active with spirits that paranormal investigators consider it a hotspot.
2. Twin City Opera House: Mary’s Watchful Eye
Locals swear the Twin City Opera House in McConnelsville has a spectral usher named Mary who still enforces theater etiquette from beyond the grave.
Visitors who talk during performances report feeling taps on their shoulders when no one’s there.
The theater’s third-floor ballroom harbors a darker presence – a shadowy entity nicknamed ‘The Jonah’ that triggers cold spots and equipment malfunctions.
Ghost hunters flock here annually, hoping to catch Mary’s disembodied voice shushing them.
3. Victoria Theatre: The Giggling Ghost Girl
Performers at Dayton’s Victoria Theatre often hear a child’s laughter echoing from the balcony during rehearsals.
Staff named this playful spirit ‘Vicky’ after witnessing small footprints appear in freshly cleaned carpets.
The theater’s original 1866 foundation survived multiple floods and fires, perhaps explaining why spirits linger.
Visitors report cold spots in the upper seating areas and the sensation of tiny hands tugging at their clothes when the seats are empty.
4. Ohio Theatre: The Spanish Flu Phantom
Columbus’ magnificent Ohio Theatre harbors a tragic ghost from the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic.
A young woman in period dress reportedly appears in the mezzanine, seemingly confused and searching for someone.
Maintenance staff working alone at night have heard someone playing the massive Mighty Morton organ when it’s powered off.
The theater’s grand lobby has been the site of unexplained cold spots and the scent of vintage perfume wafting through empty corridors.
5. Lorain Palace Theatre: The Vanishing Projectionist
Former projectionists at the Lorain Palace swear they’re never alone in the booth. Items move by themselves, film reels inexplicably unwind, and the distinct smell of old-fashioned pipe tobacco fills the air when no one’s smoking.
The ghost is believed to be George, a devoted projectionist who passed away of a heart attack during a 1940s screening.
Patrons occasionally glimpse a man in the projection window who disappears when staff investigate. George apparently still makes sure the show goes on.
6. Canton Palace Theatre: The Balcony Bride
A heartbroken bride haunts the upper balcony of Canton’s Palace Theatre.
According to local lore, she was stood up at her wedding scheduled to happen at the theater in the 1930s and threw herself from the balcony in despair.
Theater staff report seeing a woman in white wandering the upper levels. The temperature drops dramatically in certain seats, and patrons have felt invisible hands gently touching their hair.
Midnight screenings occasionally capture orbs floating above the fateful balcony.
7. Ritz Theatre: The Whistling Stagehand
Night cleaning crews at Tiffin’s Ritz Theatre regularly hear someone whistling old show tunes from empty corridors. Following the sound leads nowhere, but the melody is always from productions staged during the 1940s.
The ghost is believed to be a former stagehand who loved the theater so much he never left.
Stage lights occasionally turn on by themselves, and props mysteriously relocate overnight. Actors report feeling someone watching them from the wings during rehearsals.
8. Strand Theatre: The Phantom Ticket-Taker
Moviegoers at Delaware’s Strand Theatre sometimes feel someone checking their ticket stubs – even after passing the actual ticket booth.
The ghostly ticket-taker is rumored to be Mr. Henry, the theater’s first owner who passed away in 1950. Staff opening the theater find seats already folded down in perfect rows as if prepared for guests.
The vintage popcorn machine occasionally operates by itself, and the smell of fresh popcorn wafts through the lobby before anyone arrives. Mr. Henry apparently still takes pride in customer service.
9. Majestic Theatre: The Disappearing Actress
Chillicothe’s Majestic Theatre is reportedly haunted by a Vaudeville actress who performed there in the 1920s.
Actors using the star dressing room report lipstick smudges appearing on mirrors and costumes being subtly rearranged.
During quiet moments, the faint sound of a woman singing old jazz standards echoes through empty hallways.
The stage left area feels unusually cold, and some performers have spotted a woman in vintage clothing watching from the wings who vanishes when approached.
10. Peoples Bank Theatre: The Prankster Poltergeist
Marietta’s historic Peoples Bank Theatre has a mischievous ghost with a sense of humor.
Props regularly go missing only to reappear in ridiculous places – like finding a crown hanging from a ceiling fixture or shoes neatly arranged on a chandelier.
Staff believe it’s the spirit of a former comedian who performed during the vaudeville era.
Doors slam without drafts, lights flicker during comedy scenes, and audience members sometimes hear laughter from empty seats. This ghost apparently still appreciates a good punchline.
11. Variety Theatre: The Dancing Flapper
Cleveland’s Variety Theatre seems to have a permanent patron – a young flapper who dances in the aisles during quiet moments.
Security cameras have captured unexplained orbs of light that move in rhythmic patterns reminiscent of 1920s dance steps. The ghost reportedly appears most often when jazz music plays.
Visitors feel sudden cold spots that move through the theater, and some have reported hearing the swishing sound of beaded dresses when no one is nearby.
Staff affectionately call her “Clara” after a famous dancer who once performed there.
12. Hanna Theatre: The Ghostly Director
Actors at Cleveland’s Hanna Theatre tell stories of receiving unexpected “direction” during rehearsals.
Cast members report hearing a man’s voice offering specific suggestions about blocking and delivery when no director is present.
The phenomenon is attributed to Milton Krantz, the theater’s legendary manager from 1941 to 1975.
Technical crews experience equipment that operates itself and lights that refocus to better illuminate performers. Milton apparently hasn’t retired, continuing to perfect productions from beyond the grave.