Shakespeare Theatre Company set for Paranormal Activity

The Shakespeare Theatre Company is set to deliver chills and thrills to Washington, DC audiences with the North American premiere of "Paranormal Activity: A New Story Live on Stage", playing at Harman Hall from January 28 through February 7, 2026. This original theatrical adaptation transforms Paramount Pictures' terrifying film franchise into a live stage experience that promises to haunt theatergoers long after they leave their seats.

Paranormal Activity presented by Shakespeare Theatre Company at Harman Hall

Written by acclaimed playwright Levi Holloway, whose Tony Award-nominated "Grey House" terrified Broadway audiences in 2023, the production brings a fresh and original story to the "Paranormal Activity" universe. The show follows James and Lou, a couple who relocate from Chicago to London hoping to escape their troubled past, only to discover a haunting truth: places aren't haunted-people are. Holloway, an ensemble member of Chicago's A Red Orchid Theatre and co-founder of the Neverbird Project, described the creative process as "working to create an actual nightmare," promising audiences will find both honesty and mischief designed to trouble their sleep.

The production reunites Holloway with Felix Barrett, the pioneering founder and artistic director of Punchdrunk, whose immersive theatrical experiences like "Sleep No More" have redefined the boundaries of live performance. Barrett, who previously directed the critically acclaimed UK production of "Paranormal Activity" at Leeds Playhouse, brings his signature style of blending the familiar with the uncanny to this heart-pounding horror tale. The show also features illusions designed by Tony Award winner Chris Fisher, known for his work on "Stranger Things: The First Shadow" and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child".

The Washington production stars Cher Álvarez and Patrick Heusinger as the ill-fated couple at the center of the supernatural storm. They're joined by Shannon Cochran, whose extensive theater credits include work at Steppenwolf Theatre and Goodman Theatre, as well as a memorable turn in the 2002 horror film "The Ring", playing James' mother Carolanne. Kate Fry rounds out the principal cast as Mrs. Cotgrave, a medium who becomes entangled in the couple's paranormal predicament.

Before arriving in the nation's capital, "Paranormal Activity" will make stops at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles, and will conclude its limited run at American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco. The production's creative team includes scenic and costume designer Fly Davis, lighting designer Anna Watson, sound designer Gareth Fry, and video and projections designer Luke Halls, ensuring every technical element contributes to the show's spine-tingling atmosphere.

Tickets for this limited engagement start at $35, offering DC theatergoers an accessible entry point into what promises to be one of the winter season's most talked-about productions. With its combination of theatrical innovation, masterful storytelling, and cutting-edge stagecraft, "Paranormal Activity" represents a bold new chapter for both the beloved film franchise and the Shakespeare Theatre Company's commitment to presenting diverse and daring work. Those brave enough to attend should prepare for an evening where the line between reality and nightmare becomes terrifyingly thin.