"Thelma Mertz" is the most famous ghost that haunts the Kalamazoo Civic Theatre, and she has being doing since the 1950's.

The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre was built in 1927, and has hosted everything from silent films, to ballets, and award winning plays. Yet, it also plays host to a ghost lovingly referred to as "Thelma Mertz". No one really knows who 'Thelma' is, or truly remembers her. In fact, her last name was made up by young people involved in the 'Civic Summer Program' back in the 1980's. The best explanation of who 'Thelma' is comes from hauntedhouses.com...

"A lady known as Thelma, who donated some personal items to the Civic players when they'd been in another auditorium. When she died, Thelma wasn't ready to leave just yet, and decided to haunt the items she had given to the theatre. When the Civic Players moved to The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre,  she came along to help and mind her things."

Tonya Blust wrote a piece for michigansotherside.com about the haunted theatre and said...

"Thelma seems to be a benign spirit, preferring mischief to terror."

A blogger named Jen was a performer at the theatre and reported...

"I saw an older woman standing in one of the wings. It was way before show time, and I knew the lobby wasn't even open yet, so I asked her if she was lost. She laughed and said "Oh, no I think I know my way around here pretty well." Then she turned away, chuckling, and completely disappeared before my eyes."

Not only does she take time to speak to performers, she seems to have a flare for the piano.

Jim Carver started working at the theatre in 1959, and mlive.com tells  of his first encounter with 'Thelma'...

"His first encounter was late one night in about 1965, when he was the only one in the building and he heard the piano playing in the Green Room downstairs.

“I slowly made my way down the hallway,” he said, “and when I opened the door, the piano stopped. I turned on the lights and there was no one there.”

Other staff members report that things have moved on their own, that lights flicker, and doors open and close on there own.

I suppose if you work, or visit a place that is haunted, it's best if the ghost is kind.

 

 

 

 

 

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