Haunted stories are told at Tusculum

October 23–24, 2026 @ Tusculum University

Scary, well-crafted storylines performed by excellent student and adult actors enrich the lives of attendees during the annual “Edgar Allan Poe and Other Haunted Stories in the Woods” atTusculum University.

The event, which has become a staple of the Halloween season, areheld Friday, Oct. 23, and Saturday, Oct. 24, on the Doak House Museum grounds. It features six plays of about 10 minutes each performed six times, so guests have an opportunity to see all of them. Gates open at 6 p.m. each night.

“Feel the cool evening air on these fall nights while enjoying fabulous stories that fit well with this time of year,” said Steve Schultz, director ofTusculum Arts Outreach. “Our actors and directors are ready to create another memorable experience for our guests that is well worth incorporating in anyone’s Halloween celebrations.”

Here is the lineup of plays:

• “Poe’s Spirits,” directed by James Sams and Steve Schultz, with cast members Emme Foster, Elliana Hinkle, Ember Reid and Jade Vincent
• “The Chuckey Fritter,” directed by Erin Hensley Schultz, Tusculum’s costume director, with cast members Danica Milakovic, Bo Poe, Brooklyn Seemuth, Abbie Kate Shelton and Wrenley Tucker
• “The Raven,” directed by JT Wolf, with cast members Kayley McGarvey, Avaleigh Miller and Izzy Wilson
• “The Tell Tale Heart,” directed by Izzy Wilson, with cast members Olivia Hinkle and Michael Fillers
• “Witches of the Woods,” directed by Shelly Skelly-Ramos, with cast members Erika Carter, Melody Tunnell and Anya Tupps
• “You Stood Still While I Burned,” directed by Isaac Kitsteiner, with cast members Sam McCamey, Aiden Trantham and JT Wolf

“Poe’s Spirits” isa collection of stories by that writer that will be told by a campfire.

Audience members can relax for a few minutes between plays and enjoy concessions provided by Tusculum student groups as a fundraiser. As guests head toward their next play, guides will recite poems as another form of entertainment.

One of the specialties of this show is that audience members are able to watch the plays from a variety of venues at the Doak House. That includes seeing performances in the house, the academy building and the woods.

“Tusculum is proud to offer outstanding theater performances as a way to enhance the quality of life in our region,” Steve Schultz said. “We are grateful for the ability to engage with the community and showcase the value of the arts, which helps the community thrive and individuals demonstrate their talent to audiences. ‘Edgar Allan Poe and Other Haunted Stories in the Woods’ achieves those goals nicely.”

Tickets are $10 and can be purchased athttps://bit.ly/478flqp. Seating is limited, so Schultz encourages guests to buy their tickets as soon as possible.

Proceeds go to support the Tusculum Young Actors Studio. This Arts Outreach program enhances literacy and communication skills among youth by integrating theatrical practices into education.

Additional information about Tusculum productions is available athttps://site.tusculum.edu/center-for-the-arts/. To learn more about the university, visitwww.tusculum.edu.

Category: Theatre