[ back ]
Is Little Theatre really haunted?
(by Christine Bryant, Eastside Editor - December 23, 2009)
 |
| Messenger photos by Christine Bryant - Whaley |
|
COPS Founder Michael Robare sits at command central and watches three cameras on a split-screen computer monitor, looking for paranormal activity at Little Theatre Off Broadway.
|
 |
| The Little Theatre Off Broadway has a rich history in Grove City, but some speculate that the building is haunted. |
For years, the Little Theatre Off Broadway has had the reputation of having a ghostly presence wander the halls of the nearly century-old theater.
It's no secret many believe that presence could be of Ethel, whom the theater was built for in 1916.
But for the residents of Grove City and the actors who over the years have called the theater a second home, it's the mystery that surrounds it that helps give it a rich history and unique feel.
In November, the Central Ohio Paranormal Society (COPS) returned to the theater - a favorite of the group members.
Although during the past few years only a few pieces of evidence have turned up from investigations, it's still a location investigators enjoy researching and exploring because of the countless claims made of paranormal activity.
From apparition sightings to unexplained noises to singing overheard when no one else is in the building, it seems as if every room has a story to tell. Even those who consider themselves non-believers or skeptics have a hard time explaining away every story told.
Investigators are quick to point out stories may just be that - stories. In fact, it's a goal of COPS to identify possible mechanical, environmental or human explanations for reported phenomena. At the same time, members keep an open mind and believe hauntings are possible.
It's that curiosity of the unknown that attracts members of COPS to locations such as the Little Theatre Off Broadway - and the curiosity of the theater staff that eagerly welcomes them.
10:40 p.m., Nov. 28
Computer monitors, large spools of cable and stacked metal cases begin to fill the stage area of the theater, as members of COPS begin the set-up process.
The organization, now with nine members, formed in 2004 and has since investigated more than 50 residential and commercial cases in the central Ohio area.
COPS member Sam Clark, who has been a member of the Little Theatre Off Broadway since childhood, introduced COPS to the theater shortly after he became a member of the paranormal group in 2006. As someone familiar with the theater, Clark also is aware of many of the claims of paranormal activity that have occurred.
These claims include an apparition seen walking through a wall in the costume room - a wall that at one time did not exist, a reflection of a woman seen standing in the doorway in the window of the tech booth, and the sounds of singing and banging on the walls in the attic.
Clark himself has had experiences as well, he mentions, as he gives the investigators who have never been to the theater a tour prior to the start of the investigation.
Three years ago, Clark was exiting the restroom downstairs when he saw a man standing there before him.
"He didn't have a nice look on his face," Clark said, describing it as if the man was wondering what Clark was doing rather than the other way around. Within a second, the man was gone.
11:44 p.m.
The lights in the theater are turned off and sounds that might contaminate evidence such as the building's heating system are removed as the investigation goes black.
Investigators begin to disperse, with some heading downstairs into the basement with recorders that pick up Electronic Voice Phenomenon (EVPs), or electronically captured sounds that aren't heard in person.
Joy Schmidt, who runs the junior theater, has heard plenty of noises in the 33 years the Little Theatre Off Broadway has occupied the building.
"I've seen, heard things," she said a few weeks after the investigation. "I don't make a big deal out of it because I try to explain it to myself. I've never been shoved, hurt by a ghost."
Some of the stories, and even things she has experienced, she chalks up to overactive imaginations.
"If you really sit down and think about it, you can rationalize everything," she said.
But some instances, such as one night when she heard someone singing, she says she can't explain.
"If it's haunted, it's been a gentle haunting," Schmidt said.
12:58 a.m.
COPS Founder Michael Robare sits at command central and watches three cameras on a split-screen computer monitor - the only light source in the theater other than the red exit signs above each door to the outside.
So far, the night has been quiet, so investigator John Garcia decides to use a technique investigators sometimes use to stir potential spirits.
In 1916, the theater first opened as a silent movie house. Known as the Kingdom Theatre, it was owned by Jessie King, who built the theater for her daughter, Ethel, to play the piano as she accompanied the silent movies.
It is this Ethel who many locals believe is the one haunting the theater because of her love for it, Schmidt said.
Although Ethel moved south after the silent movie theater was sold in 1926, many locals believe Ethel died in the theater. This isn't true, Schmidt points out, but says if anyone was going to haunt the theater, it'd likely be Ethel.
"She has a bond here with the theater," she said. "I definitely feel if she's going to rest anywhere, it would be here."
Garcia begins playing a piano upstairs, as the sound of Ragtime permeates through the theater.
Clark, who had joined Garcia upstairs, comes downstairs and asks Robare if he saw anything on the infra-red motion detectors placed in the attic.
"There's definitely footsteps above us," Clark said, before returning upstairs to investigate further.
1:49 a.m.
As the lights are turned back on, the investigation ends for the evening, but not entirely.
Although it only lasted two hours, that's two hours on every piece of equipment that must be reviewed, which can take several weeks or months, depending on the case.
Previous investigations at Little Theatre Off Broadway have turned up a few EVPs, which can be heard at http://centralohioparanormal.net.
A review of the November investigation is still under way, but Robare says there are a few pieces of evidence that need further analysis.
Schmidt says she believes something is in the theater, but isn't sure whether it's a ghost or not.
"Honestly, until Ethel comes down and has a conversation with me, I have to see it for myself," she said.
[ back ]
