Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) announces the cast and creative team for Paranormal Activity, an original story based on Paramount Pictures’ terrifying film franchise—now live on stage. This North American premiere from celebrated Chicago playwright Levi Holloway (Broadway’s Grey House) and Punchdrunk’s Felix Barrett (Sleep No More) features illusions by Tony Award winner Chris Fisher (Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). James and Lou move from Chicago to London to escape the past…but they soon discover that places aren’t haunted, people are. The production runs October 8-November 2 in The Yard, featuring performances by Cher Álvarez, Patrick Heusinger, Shannon Cochran, and Kate Fry. Following the run at Chicago Shakespeare, the North American premiere production runs at Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles (November 13-December 7), Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. (January 28-February 7), and American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco (February 19-March 15).
Levi Holloway shared, “Writing Paranormal Activity for the stage, collaborating with Felix Barrett in London—working to create an actual nightmare—has been a dream. We strived to create something impossible, mixing the familiar with the uncanny, heart with horror. Chicago audiences have a nose for honesty on stage and little patience for anything else. They’ll find it here, right alongside all the mischief we’ve made to trouble their sleep.”
“It is such an exciting proposition to be bringing together two masters of their craft in Chicago’s Levi Holloway and the pioneering founder of Punchdrunk, Felix Barrett, to give audiences a truly unforgettable Halloween experience in the theatre,” said CST Artistic Director Edward Hall. “If you’re looking for the ultimate Halloween night out then look no further. Cinema gives us manufactured paranormal activity but it is in the theater that you genuinely won’t believe what your eyes are seeing…”
Playing Lou and James, a couple trying to escape a sinister force, are Cher Álvarez and Patrick Heusinger. Álvarez has been seen on Chicago stages including the Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf Theatre, and Writers Theatre, along with productions at Milwaukee Repertory Theatre and American Players Theatre. She has also appeared on television in shows such as Grey’s Anatomy and NCIS: Hawai’i. Heusinger has been seen on Broadway in Next Fall and Fiddler on the Roof and starred as Lancelot in the national tour of Spamalot. He is also known for his work on the television shows Gossip Girl, Royal Pains, and Girlfriends' Guide to Divorce.
The cast also includes Shannon Cochran as James’ mother Carolanne and Kate Fry as Mrs. Cotgrave, a medium. Cochran has many Chicago credits at theaters including Steppenwolf Theatre, Lookingglass Theatre Company, Goodman Theatre, and more. Other credits include the West Coast premiere of Broadway’s Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in San Francisco, the national tour of Roundabout Theatre Company’s Cabaret, and the first national tour of August: Osage County. This production marks a return to the horror genre for Cochran, as she appeared in the 2002 film The Ring. Fry returns to Chicago Shakespeare after many credits, including last season’s Henry V, along with As You Like It, Henry IV Parts 1 and 2, and The Merchant of Venice. She’s also been seen recently in The Cherry Orchard at Goodman Theatre and Birthday Candles at Northlight Theatre.
Levi Holloway is an ensemble member of A Red Orchid Theatre company, which has debuted his plays Grey House (which went on to an acclaimed Broadway run) and Turret, starring Michael Shannon. He has performed as an actor with Lookingglass Theatre and Steppenwolf Theatre. Holloway is the co-founder of the Neverbird Project, a youth based deaf and hard of hearing theatre company, and specializes in working with deaf children and creating theater for deaf people. He was an elementary school teacher in Chicago in the deaf department at Bell Elementary for over a decade and teaches playwrighting at Silk Road Rising Theatre Company.
Felix Barrett is the founder and artistic director of Punchdrunk, conceiving and directing such groundbreaking theatrical productions as Sleep No More (a reimagining of Shakespeare’s Macbeth), The Burnt City, and Viola’s Room. Barrett directed last year’s critically acclaimed production of Paranormal Activity at Leeds Playhouse in the UK, which will open on the West End this winter.
The creative team for Paranormal Activity includes Fly Davis (Scenic & Costume Designer), Anna Watson (Lighting Designer), Gareth Fry (Sound Designer), Luke Halls (Video & Projections Designer), Chris Fisher (Illusions Designer), Bob Mason (Casting), Travis A. Knight (Assistant Director), Camille Etchart (UK Associate Scenic Designer), Frank McCollugh (US Associate Scenic Designer), Abby May (US Associate Lighting Designer), Will Pickens (US Associate Sound Designer), Lianne Arnold (US Associate Video & Projections Designer), Skylar Fox (Associate Illusions Designer), Daniel Weissglass (Assistant Illusions Designer), Melanie J. Lisby (Production Stage Manager), Julie Jachym (Assistant Stage Manager), and Emma W. Lipson (Production Assistant).
PERFORMANCE LISTING
- Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
- Wednesdays 7:00 p.m. (plus a 1:00 p.m. matinee on October 22)
- Thursdays at 7:00 p.m.
- Fridays at 7:00 p.m. (performances at 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. on Halloween, October 31)
- Saturdays at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. (no matinee October 11)
- Sundays at 2:00 p.m.
SPECIAL EVENTS
- Paranormal Prom - October 9 at 5:30 p.m. - Kick off spooky season with the ultimate Halloween haunting at Paranormal Prom! This one-night-only event takes the horror up a notch with a sinister soiree culminating in the most terrifying live theater experience Chicago has even seen. Delight in signature “spirits” and delectable bites, enter the costume contest for fabulous prizes, dabble in the occult with special lobby activities, and browse the wares from horror market vendors. You’ll have a ghoulishly good time!
- Halloween - October 31 at 6:00 p.m. and 10:00 p.m. - What better way to spend Halloween than being absolutely terrified? Join CST this Halloween for two special Hallow's Eve performances of Paranormal Activity.
More information at chicagoshakes.com/paranormalactivity or on social media at @chicagoshakes.
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
Based on Paramount Pictures’ Paranormal Activity films
James and Lou move from Chicago to London to escape the past…but they soon discover that places aren’t haunted, people are. An original story set in the world of the terrifying Paranormal Activity film franchise, this thrilling new play from celebrated Chicago playwright Levi Holloway (Broadway’s Grey House) and Punchdrunk’s Felix Barrett (Sleep No More) with illusions by Tony Award-winner Chris Fisher (Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Harry Potter & The Cursed Child) will haunt you long after you get home. Experience the horror of this North American premiere produced by Chicago Shakespeare before it hits LA, San Francisco, and DC later this season. Can you even believe your eyes?
The full North American premiere engagement includes:
- Chicago Shakespeare Theater in Chicago (October 8-November 2, 2025)
- Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles (November 13-December 7, 2025)
- Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C.<> (January 28-February 7, 2026)
- American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco (February 19-March 15, 2026)
CREATIVE TEAM
Levi Holloway
Felix Barrett
Fly Davis - Scenic & Costume Designer
Anna Watson - Lighting Designer
Gareth Fry - Sound Designer
Luke Halls - Video & Projections Designer
Chris Fisher - Illusions Designer
Bob Mason - Casting
Travis A. Knight - Assistant Director
Camille Etchart - UK Associate Scenic Designer
Frank McCollugh - US Associate Scenic Designer
Abby May - US Associate Lighting Designer
Will Pickens - US Associate Sound Designer
Lianne Arnold - US Associate Video & Projections Designer
Skylar Fox - Associate Illusions Designer
Daniel Weissglass - Assistant Illusions Designer
Melanie J. Lisby - Production Stage Manager
Julie Jachym - Assistant Stage Manager
Emma W. Lipson - Production Assistant
CAST
Cher Álvarez - Lou
Shannon Cochran - Carolanne
Kate Fry - Mrs. Cotgrave
Patrick Heusinger - James
Chicago Shakespeare presents Paranormal Activity by arrangement with Paramount Pictures and Melting Pot, in co-production with Center Theatre Group, American Conservatory Theater, and Shakespeare Theatre Company. Based on the Paranormal Activity films, first written and directed by Oren Peli and brought to the screen by Blumhouse and Solana Films. TM & © 2025 Paramount Pictures. All Rights Reserved.
CHICAGO SHAKESPEARE THEATER (CST)
CST is a leading international theater company and the nation’s largest year-round theater dedicated to the works of Shakespeare. Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes, the Regional Tony Award recipient is committed to creating vivid, entertaining theatrical experiences that invigorate and engage people of all ages and identities by illuminating the complexity, ambiguity, and wonder of our world. Each year, nearly a quarter of a million people experience CST’s artistry through more than 12 productions. With Shakespeare at the heart of the artistic work, CST also produces compelling, contemporary stories from fresh voices of today. CST brings the world to Chicago and sends Chicago out into the world as Chicago’s foremost presenter of international theater, and consistent producer of North American and world premieres. Serving more students and teachers than any theater in the city, CST annually welcomes more than 20,000 students to performances and programs like Chicago Shakespeare SLAM, alongside professional development opportunities for teachers. CST activates its campus with three venues: 700-seat The Yard; the 500-seat Jentes Family Courtyard Theater; and the 200-seat Carl and Marilynn Thoma Upstairs Studio. Free programs like Shakes in the City bring performances to parks and community spaces across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. Shared humanity and unforgettable stories—now THIS is Chicago Shakespeare. www.chicagoshakes.com