PlayMakers Repertory Company Theatre

Home of the PlayMakers Repertory Company on UNC's campus. Generations of students and community members have seen shows here, and a few might still be hanging around.

PlayMakers Theatre at UNC Chapel Hill has long been the subject of ghost stories passed down through generations of drama students. Originally honoring alumni and UNC figures, its Gothic predecessor held tributes to 260 Confederate alumni lost in the Civil War. Today, the theater is haunted by two distinct spirits. The first is the standoffish "Evan," a figure in 1940s attire who silently observes from the audience during rehearsals and performances. Actors have reported feeling his critical gaze and finding him seated in the empty auditorium, only to have him vanish when approached. The second spirit is the more restless ghost of former University President David Swain, whose presence is felt more intensely. Swain seems less content than Evan, with his movements creating pockets of icy air and strange sounds backstage. Lights flicker during performances, and props have been known to move on their own. The traditional "ghost light" left burning on stage each night serves both practical and supernatural purposes -- keeping actors safe from falls and appeasing the spirits who use the stage after hours.