A Shoulder Tap At Idaho Theater Could Be From Dead Projectionist

Most old theaters have really cool backstories. I've visited a couple in southern Idaho over the years but have yet to attend an event at a historic property where people claim to be physically contacted by what could be the ghost of a former, longtime employee.

I've always found historic theaters to be very cool places to spend time in. It's been documented that actors have been traveling across the country and performing in front of theatergoers for nearly 200 years, and some of the buildings they put on productions in are still standing. If those old bricks could talk.

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Traveling drama groups have been putting on shows for Americans since around 1830, according to iowapbs.org. The three coolest historic properties I've ever visited are The Del Oro in Grass Valley, California, The Orpheum in Twin Falls, Idaho, and The Whaley House in San Diego. They have all been places where people have enjoyed live theatre for decades.

Joe reportedly died on the stairs leading up to the projection room of a heart attack years ago.

I first visited The Orpheum Theater in Twin Falls back in 2018 when a friend of mine was working on a book about Idaho properties with paranormal backstories. We walked the entire building and were even granted access to some dark, dusty places where flashlights were necessary. It wasn't until recently that I learned about an alleged haunting at The Egyptian Theater in Boise, located 128 miles northwest of Twin Falls.

It's been reported by some patrons and staffers that strange occurrences like being touched in the darkness and hearing disembodied laughter occur frequently, according to hauntedhouses.com. Some believe a former theater worker and projectionist known as "Joe" is behind the mischief. Joe reportedly died on the stairs leading up to the projection room of a heart attack years ago. The stories of the theater have also been told on Reddit, and are inspiring me to pay the property a visit next time I'm in the state's capital.