Brown and Saint Theaters

Brown and Saint Theaters (Alice Legend)

Overview

The Joe E. Brown Theater and the Eva Marie Saint Theater at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) in Bowling Green, Ohio, are associated with a longstanding campus legend involving a ghost named Alice. Alice is said to be the spirit of a former actress or theater student and is considered a recognized tradition within the university’s theater community. Reports of unusual activity, apparitions, and production-related disturbances have contributed to the location’s reputation as one of the most well-known theatrical haunting traditions in Ohio.

Location

• Address: Bowling Green State University, Theatre Department, Bowling Green, OH 45403
• City/County: Bowling Green, Wood County
• Public Access: There is not enough available information for this section.

Haunting / Legend Summary

According to campus tradition and various published accounts, both the Joe E. Brown Theater and the Eva Marie Saint Theater are haunted by a ghost named Alice. Reports describe her as:

• A female figure, often pale, with long hair and wearing clothing that appears to date from the 1920s.
• An apparition believed to be a former actress or theater student.

Two competing origin stories are associated with the legend:

• Alice was an actress performing Desdemona in *Othello* who was killed by a falling object during a show.
• Alice was a former theater student who died in a car crash while returning to campus to accept an “Actress of the Year” award.

The tradition states that:

• The stage manager must remain alone on stage after the final dress rehearsal to formally invite Alice to the performance.
• A “ghost light” must be kept on in the theater at all times.

If these steps are not followed, Alice is said to cause minor issues or more serious production problems, including fallen props, lights malfunctioning, injuries, or technical difficulties. Several students have reported seeing Alice, often describing her as a solid or semi-transparent figure who does not immediately fade from view. Sightings sometimes include gestures such as extending a hand toward witnesses.

The Hat Room of the Joe E. Brown Theater is also said to contain a strong presence that has caused students to leave abruptly without clear explanation.

Historical Background

The Joe E. Brown Theater closed in 2011.

Reported Phenomena

• Apparitions: Reports of a pale female figure with long hair; seen wearing 1920s-style clothing; described by multiple witnesses including theater majors and a stage manager.
• Cold Spots: N/A
• Voices/EVPs: A rumbling sound interpreted by one witness as a response (“I’ll be there”) after delivering the required invitation.
• Physical Touches: N/A
• Object Movement: Props reportedly falling; nails coming out of sets; items tipping over, particularly when the ghost light is turned off.
• Malfunctions: Reports of lights burning out; box office computers going offline; technical problems during rehearsals and performances.
• Poltergeist Activity: Injuries to actors, props falling, disturbances during productions—sometimes attributed to a failure to formally invite Alice.
• Shadow Figures: Descriptions include a pale but semi-transparent figure similar to a shadow.
• Time Anomalies: N/A

Skepticism & Alternative Explanations

• Many claims associated with Alice occur in an environment prone to ordinary theatrical hazards, such as unstable sets, aging equipment, or the complexities of stage production. These issues can create accidents or malfunctions that may be interpreted as paranormal.
• Theaters contain numerous environmental factors—such as drafts, lighting contrasts, acoustics, and sensory fatigue—that can contribute to the perception of apparitions or sounds.
• The tradition of “inviting Alice” functions as a cultural ritual within the theater community. Such rituals can influence expectations, leading to heightened awareness or misinterpretation of normal events.
• Some skeptics suggest that sightings may be influenced by low lighting, peripheral vision illusions, or stress during production periods.
• The Hat Room’s reputation may stem from its confined or cluttered environment, which can produce psychological unease.

Visitor Information

• Visiting Hours: There is not enough available information for this section.
• Fees or Costs: There is not enough available information for this section.
• Contact Info: Bowling Green State University Theatre Department — 419-372-2222
• Warnings/Restrictions: There is not enough available information for this section.

Citations / References

• Emily Vosburg, "Dark Legends of BG", The Insider, Bowling Green State University, 15 March 1991.
• Chris Woodyard, Haunted Ohio series;
• Joy Mullholand, "I Heard It Through the Grapevine", Miscellany Magazine, Autumn 1992.
• PrairieGhosts.com, “Bowling Green State University Theaters.”