CHICAGO — A historical investigation into the Auditorium Theatre and Building, one of Chicago’s oldest performance halls, has uncovered decades of unexplained phenomena — from mysterious footsteps and vanishing figures to eerie performances that never happened.
Once home to a grand hotel and now a part of Roosevelt University, the Auditorium has long drawn interest from ghost tour operators and paranormal enthusiasts. A recent exploration of its history sheds light on the building’s strange legacy — and what night-shift workers and students believe still lingers in the halls.
Reports of Voices, Vanishing Figures and Footsteps
According to longtime Roosevelt engineer Nick Ahrens, the theatre has been the site of frequent ghostly activity. Ahrens, who checks safety mechanisms during overnight shifts, recalled hearing muffled conversations, unexplained laughter, and slamming doors with no visible cause. One night around 2 a.m., he saw what appeared to be a man sitting alone in the audience — who disappeared when approached.
“Our ghosts aren’t threatening or menacing,” Ahrens said. “They no longer bother me. I just think — there they are again.”
Other engineers and campus safety officers have had similar encounters. Clara Christmas, a security officer, once heard what sounded like a full performance taking place in the empty auditorium at midnight. From that night on, she avoided the building’s more secluded areas after hours.
Ghosts on the Catwalk and in the Balcony
Stephen Sell, director of production and facilities, noted that multiple people have claimed to see a ghostly figure on “the jump” — a catwalk 40 feet above the stage. A television crew once reported seeing a male ghost in the lobby and another apparition wearing a scarf walking on the catwalk.
Former students have also shared chilling memories. One group reported seeing a man in Victorian clothing scold them from the fourth balcony, only to disappear moments later. Others remembered unexplained sounds — rubbing noises, footsteps, and even the feeling of being touched.
A Native American Spirit on Stage?
Former executive director Dulcie Gilmore recounted one of the most striking stories: in 1987, several visitors claimed to see a Native American chief wearing a war bonnet walking across the stage. She saw him too — twice. A spiritual “cleanser” was later brought in to address the haunting, and no sightings have been reported since.
The Tower’s Strange Legacy
The Auditorium Tower, once used for offices by the likes of Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, has also been linked to ghost stories. Some believe arguments between Adler and Sullivan still echo through the halls. Others, like former student and philosophy professor Bill Moor, reported seeing “a parade of doomed hopefuls” visiting Andrew Ivy, a discredited cancer researcher who operated out of the tower in the 1960s.
Objects Move on Their Own in Offices and Halls
The Congress Lounge and nearby corridors are no less eerie. Engineer Tony Bugajsky once felt something touch his finger on the second floor, heard running footsteps behind him on the eighth floor, and even witnessed lockers slamming in the basement at 5 a.m. with no one present.
In one instance, a staff member in the Academic Success Center said her water bottle flew off the sink and hit the wall after a sudden cold chill. A student later told her about seeing a legless maid in vintage uniform cleaning a library room on the 10th floor — who then vanished.
Sarah Bernhardt’s Coffin and the Haunted Ninth Floor
Room 720, once used by the iconic French actress Sarah Bernhardt, still holds a chilling story. Known for traveling with a custom coffin, Bernhardt reportedly slept in it to better understand tragic roles. While students now use the room for seminars, no sightings have occurred — yet.
Meanwhile, the ninth floor, formerly home to the Chicago Musical College, has had its share of spectral drama. A student once saw a man in opera costume appear during a violin practice, only for him to vanish moments later. Other reports include running footsteps, objects moving on their own, and shadowy shapes caught in the corner of one’s eye.
Expert Perspective: Brain or Paranormal?
While many believe in the presence of ghosts, Professor Jonathan Smith, a Roosevelt psychologist and paranormal course instructor, said the human brain plays tricks in dark and low-stimulus environments. He believes the sensation of a “presence” has evolutionary roots, possibly protecting ancient humans from danger.
“The power of the mind combined with a person’s expectations can easily conjure up the presence of a ghost in a dark place,” Smith said. “This is child’s play for the human brain.”
Have you ever experienced something strange inside a historic Chicago building? Share your paranormal stories with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com — we’re listening.
