(Photo by Gwen Sour) The cast of “The Outsiders” celebrates Halloween with a costume contest Wednesday inside the Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre.

The Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre, known for generations as MOVP and once called the Putnam Theatre, has stood on Putnam Street since 1915 — and some say a few original patrons never left.

Built after the 1913 flood destroyed the home that once occupied the site, the theater opened March 15, 1915. It was once known as the “rose-colored theater,” with floral columns and rose-hued carpet, according to MOVP President JR Wells.

“There used to be columns of roses on the wall that are now hidden because they’re old, and the carpet was a rose color as well,” he said.

Like many early 20th century performance halls, the theater carries a reputation for hauntings — and a few familiar specters

One of the oldest tales centers on Mr. Shay, a man in a top hat reportedly spotted in the back row.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) Sightings of shadow figures have been reported over the years in the lobby of the Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre.

“Rumor is that he owned both theaters (including the former Colony Theatre), but there’s no evidence to support that,” Wells said. “Most likely, Mr. Shay was a theater-goer who went to both. Nobody’s seen Mr. Shay for quite a while.”

Shadow figures — including a woman in black — were once common sightings as well, especially near the former costume storage area in the attic of the theater.

“Most of the clothes donated to us come from people who’ve passed away,” Wells said. “We haven’t seen too much of the shadows since we pulled the costumes out and put them next door.”

Today, Wells said the most commonly reported spirits are a playful little boy, a spirit referred to as “The Artist” and a seamstress who appears near the dressing rooms.

“(The boy) goes around and causes mischief,” Wells said. “People talk about sitting in the front row and feeling like something’s playing with their pant leg, or hearing a ball bounce when nobody’s around.”

(Photo by Gwen Sour) A young boy reportedly fell from this spot and his ghost now haunts the Mid-Ohio Players Theatre, according to local lore.

The little boy allegedly fell from a ladder leading up to where some of the technical equipment is stored for the theater.

The Seamstress appears “about every other show,” Wells said, often seen descending the backstage stairs. “She usually shushes people and then disappears.”

The Artist is most commonly seen stage right, near the basement stairs, and is known for giving a feeling of being watched.

Ghost-hunting groups frequently visit, capturing sounds and “orbs” in theater photos that make it appear “as if people are sitting in the seats waiting to see the show,” Wells said.

As for rumors of tunnels connecting the MOVP and Colony – now Peoples Bank Theatre – Wells said volunteers have searched extensively and found none.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) A myriad of actors and technicians have reported seeing ghosts lurking in the halls of the Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre.

“There are no tunnels,” he said. “The only thing that exists is the maintenance space for wires under the street.”

Whether visitors come for the performances or the paranormal, the theater remains a community cornerstone and a place where history and mystery share the stage.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) The makeup room at the Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre allegedly houses a ghost known as “The Seamstress”.

(Photo by Gwen Sour) The stage at the Mid-Ohio Valley Players Theatre is said to be the home of several spirits, including one known as “The Artist,” who gives a feeling of being watched.