Photos by Teresa Castracane Photography
Paranormal Activity at Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Harman Hall plays a brilliant game with the audience’s nerves. It knows you are expecting a scare, so it makes you wait for it. This limited-run production avoids delivering on your initial impulses and rather begins in total darkness, forcing the audience to sit with their own anticipation while waiting for something to happen. When the show finally does begin, it starts small to signal that whatever is coming will unfold in its own time. That restraint sets the tone for an experience that prioritizes tension, patience, and psychological unease over instant gratification.
This was my first visit to Harman Hall, and it’s a total stunner. The venue is intimate without feeling cramped, beautifully designed, and conveniently located, with surprisingly reasonable concession prices that make it feel accessible rather than precious. That intimacy is key to why “Paranormal Activity” works so well here. You’re not just watching a haunted house story – you’re practically inside it. Every creak, thud, and whispered sound lands closer than you expect as the production pulls the audience directly into the characters’ home.
The performances strike an impressive balance between fear and humor. The show is pretty scary, but it’s also genuinely funny – often at the exact moment you least expect it. There’s something oddly delightful and quite humorous about being scared together, and this production leans into that communal thrill. The script plays with expectations expertly by delivering lines that land sideways just when you anticipate a normal response, triggering a collective gasp or nervous laugh from the crowd. Being live theater adds an entirely new layer to the genre where, at several points, you can physically feel the audience holding its breath, waiting for the next inevitable scare.
What truly elevates the show, though, is its craftsmanship. Horror can be easily predictable, but this production keeps you scanning every inch of the dollhouse-like set, searching for clues in every corner. Without the benefit of movie magic, the creative team uses everything at their disposal to maximum effect, especially lighting and sound. From extended moments of total silence and darkness to sudden surprises that jolt the room, every scare feels thoughtfully planned rather than thrown at the audience. The use of lighting is masterful as it shapes the mood and tension in ways that feel both subtle and bold.
“Paranormal Activity” proves that horror on stage isn’t just possible – it can be exhilarating. It’s not about relentless jump scares, but about atmosphere, timing, and the thrill of experiencing fear together in real time. Add in the intimacy of Harmon Hall and the undeniable fun of being scared in a room full of strangers, and you’ve got a limited-run show that’s well worth seeking out, especially if you like your terror smart, playful, and uncomfortably close. Even if you aren’t a fan of horror, you must see this show!
Final Grade: A+
Paranormal Activity is playing at the Sidney Harman Hall in Washington, DC, now through February 7th. Tickets are available through https://www.shakespearetheatre.org/events/paranormal-activity-25-26/
Runtime: Approximately two hours with one 15-minute intermission.
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