sevenvenues.com Dear Readers, With Halloween right around the corner, SevenVenues is kicking off the festivities with a theatre-themed, interactive Halloween booklet! We’ve rounded up some spooky games, yummy recipes, do-it-yourself Halloween costumes and legendary ghost stories so you and your family can make this October 31 even more special. No matter how you choose to celebrate this year, the SevenVenues Halloween booklet is guaranteed to get you into the spirit. While we are eager for events to return soon, we hope these activities remind you of how much the theatre has to offer. We will keep you updated on our reopening plans as soon as we know more. Until then, please enjoy this activity booklet. We wish you a very Happy Halloween! Sincerely, The SevenVenues Marketing Team TABLE OF CONTENTS 03 GHOST STORIES 07 DIY BROADWAY HALLOWEEN COSTUMES 18 YUMMY TREATS 21 HALLOWEEN TRADITIONS 25 GAMES AND ACTIVITIES 3 Halloween wouldn’t be complete without a good, old-fashioned ghost story. We’ve collected some of the best stories about haunted theatres from around the world for your enjoyment. From haunted dressing rooms to prankster ghosts, there is a story for everyone. Read them aloud with your friends, or alone... if you dare! Wells Theatre Norfolk, VA (est. 1913) When people think of Norfolk, Virginia, visions of Navy sailors usually come to mind, but no one would have expected to find a local mariner roaming the halls of the historic Wells Theatre decades after his death. Rumor has it that ever since losing his life working backstage, a sailor by the name of Ned has been known to haunt the halls. Since the Wells Theatre was originally rigged like a ship, Ned was hired as a fly man as he could operate pulley systems. eH was responsible for setting up scenery by raising and lowering suspended sets during performances. Since his passing, actors and stagehands have often heard a man whistling at odd hours and have seen sandbags move on their own. Those who claim to have seen Ned say he has large arms and always dons a newsboy hat. To learn more about Ned and the Wells Theatre, visit vastage.org. 4 The Belasco Theatre New York, NY (est. 1907) Another one of Broadway’s famous ghosts makes his home at the Belasco Theatre in New York City, which makes perfect sense as it is believed to be the spirit of onetime owner, Broadway impresa- rio David Belasco. Once known as the Bishop of Broadway for his habit of wearing a priestly cas- sock, Belasco has been frequently sighted in the balcony during rehearsals wearing the same garb. He has even been known to interact with the actors after the show. To learn more about David Belasco and the Belasco Theatre, visit Curbed New York. The Richard Rodgers Theatre New York, NY (est. 1925) Currently home to Broadway’s smash hit, Hamilton, the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City is a Broadway favorite, even for ghosts. There have been multiple sightings over the years of redheaded ghosts, simply referred to as the Redheads. Experiences include restroom stall doors opening on their own, strange sounds in dressing rooms and items spontaneously falling off shelves. Actress Blanca Camacho even noted reappearing red lipstick smudges in the ladies’ room that have been removed but inevitably return. Was it the work of the Red- heads or something else? To learn more about the Redheads and the Richard Rogers Theatre, visit LightsUpOnStage.com. Bangor Opera House Bangor, ME (est. 1920) If you’re a fan of Stephen King’s hit novel IT, then you may know that the town of Derry is based on Bangor, Maine. In addition to being the backdrop for the fictional clown Pennywise, it is also home to the ornate 19th century Bangor Opera House, which has its own chilling history. In 1914, a fire that started in a boiler just under the wooden floor of the auditorium near the front of the building destroyed the venue, and took the lives of two local firemen. After six years, the Bangor Opera House reopened and it eventually evolved into the Penobscot Theater, which stands to this day. Upon the venue’s reopening, a mysterious dark figure was frequently sighted in a storage area, the same area where the former balcony was located. It is rumored to be the ghost of one of the fallen firemen. To learn more about this ghost and the Bangor Opera House, visit WABI.tv. The Springer Opera House Columbia, GA (est. 1871) In the 1800s, Edwin Booth was a well-known celebrity in Columbus, Georgia, as well as a regular on the Springer Opera House stage. Edwin also happened to be the brother of John Wilkes Booth, the man who assassinated Abraham Lincoln. Shortly after Edwin’s passing, several staff and crew members spotted a ghost with a wiry beard and rumpled tweed suit. This ghost would make his presence known by playing tricks with the wardrobe and set pieces. Many believe this supernatural presence to be that of Edwin Booth attempting to relive his glory days on the stage. To learn more about Edwin Booth and the Springer Opera House, visit ExploreSouthernHistory.com. New Amsterdam Theatre New York, NY (est. 1903) While The Walt Disney Company may own the New Amsterdam Theatre in New York City, they The Palais Garnier share the space with the most active ghost on Paris, FR (est. 1861) Broadway - a former Ziegfeld Follies chorus girl named Olive Thomas. The New Amsterdam In the late 1800s, the Palais Garnier Opera House in Paris, Theatre was home to the celebrated Ziegfeld France was home to a series of inexplicable events. Follies, and where Olive spent most of her time. Rumors quickly spread of a ghost seen roaming the After her untimely death in 1920, Olive has been halls, however, these stories were dismissed as superstitions. seen wearing a white sash and carrying a pill It wasn’t until a deadly accident in 1896 involving a fallen chandelier did staff and patrons begin to believe the bottle. Not one to shy away from attention, Olive rumors. In 1910, an author by the name of Gaston Leroux is known to play practical jokes on actors and was inspired by these events and wrote the novel The crews, including sneaking up on overnight secu- Phantom of the Opera, which was later adapted into a rity guards and knocking over objects blockbuster musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber. during meetings. To learn more about the origins of the Phantom and The To learn more about Olive Thomas and the New Palais Garnier Opera House, visit DailyTelegraph.com. Amsterdam Theatre, visit Playbill.com. 66 Theatre Royal Drury Lane London, England (est. 1812) While many performers welcome the traditional good luck wish of “break a leg”, the actors at the Theatre Royal Drury Lane in London, England claim the appearance of a ghost known as The Man in Gray has brought them the best fortune. Regarded by ghost hunters and fans of the supernatural to be the world’s most haunted theatre, the Man in Gray is equally regarded as The Theatre Royal Drury Lane’s most famous ghost. Performers and stagehands say you will recognize the Man in Gray by his riding boots, powdered wig and tricorn hat. To learn more about the Man in Gray and Theatre Royal Drury Lane, visit the Dark Tales blog. Saint James Theatre Wellington, NZ (est. 1928) The St. James Theatre in Wellington, New Zealand is famous for its rich history of showing silent films, however, Yuri, a Russian acrobat who supposedly perished during a performance at the St. James, has garnered almost as much fame for his paranormal activities. Stagehands say Yuri is best known for his practical jokes, specifically for turning the lights back on after the theatre has been locked up for the night. Yuri has also been credited with saving the life of a theatre projectionist on two occasions. To learn more about Yuri and the St. James Theatre, visit HauntedAuckland.com. Adelphi Theatre London, England (rebuilt 1930) The Adelphi Theatre in London, England boasts a blue plaque by the stage door honoring the late William Terriss, an actor who met his ill-timed end outside the theatre in 1897. Since the time of his death, an apparition of a tall and distinguished- looking man who resembles William has been seen roving the halls. Performers claim to have even heard him knocking on their dressing room doors. To learn more about William Terriss and the Adelphi Theatre, visit HuntingdonDramaClub.org.uk. 7 We’ve curated a selection of do-it-yourself, Broadway inspired Halloween costumes that are inexpensive, creative, fun and made from many items you already own. So whether you plan in advance or wait until the last minute, the next few pages are full of costume inspiration! 88 99 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Celebrate Halloween with these easy, crowd-pleasing recipes. No tricks, no hassle – just delicious treats! Banana Ghosts and Clementine Pumpkins Courtesy of Ms Fussy Eater INGREDIENTS • 4 clementines • 4 small pieces of celery • 4 bananas • 8 chocolate chips INSTRUCTIONS 1. Peel the clementine’s but leave them whole. Stick the piece of celery into the middle. 2. Peel the bananas and cut them in half. Push the chocolate chips into the bananas to make eyes. 3. Serve immediately. 19 Mummy Dogs Courtesy of Homemade Interest INGREDIENTS • 6 hot dogs • 1 package crescent roll dough • Candy eyes • Ketchup or mustard, if desired INSTRUCTIONS 1.