By KATHY ZEHR
News Staff Writer
Almost all performers, directors, managers, custodians and many others involved in theater life believe that resident ghosts bring good luck to a theater. The Poncan Theatre, opened in 1927, is no exception.
With the recent expose? in the tabloids of the haunting of the White House, to claims by the keepers of hundreds of famous theaters, museums, hotels and other public buildings around the world, Ponca City theater lovers have bravely made public their observance of paranormal activity at the old Poncan. We are right up to snuff in the socially accepted ghost haunting expose?.
For decades, numerous Ponca City residents involved with the Poncan, have quietly attested to the presence of ghostly apparitions appearing in the grand old theater. These ghosts have made themselves visible or a "known presence" for decades to performers, members of the audience, theater workers and even neighboring businesses.
Dozens of witnesses have consistently admitted seeing one or two ghostly females and feeling their "presence" or physical touch. These participants have heard singing, humming, talking, footsteps, movement of furniture and especially the mysterious opening of doors.
A little shy, the ladies are said to be more active when only one or two people are present, but occasionally appear seated in favored locations during a performance or movie. Over the decades, reports of their presence have filtered bit by bit into the theater's oral history. Today, the presence of the ladies is seen or heard on a regular basis.
Carolyn and Gary Robinson, who own and operate Ball Trophy and Engraving, are located in a frontal section of the Poncan Theatre building. The Robinsons have lived and worked with the ghosts for about 10 years. Carolyn says she often feels a "presence" while working at her computer at night during their busy season. She has heard a lady humming just behind her at other times. When the theater is closed and empty, Gary has often heard someone walking, running and moving furniture overhead, which is the balcony area of the theater. Gary has investigated thoroughly but found nothing amiss. The sounds in the balcony, however, continue.
Two lifelong Ponca City residents, Mingo and Faith Standsblack, and three more sisters attended the theater every Saturday in the late 1960s. Their father was employed as building superintendent. The two oldest girls often talked about the shadow of a woman who occasionally appeared in doorways during the movies.
Newly appointed Executive Director Dave May recently experienced the spirited ladies presence and decided to research the numerous reports. Included in the list are former theater directors, patrons, and several area citizens formerly employed or who performed at the Poncan.
Finally, after so many positive reports of ghostly encounters, May has called in the "experts" to determine if the Poncan is really haunted. Saturday night at midnight two ghost hunting teams, MIST (Metaphysical Investigations and Surveillance Team) and The Oklahoma City Ghost Club will spend the night running tests. The expert haunt investigators will be bringing numerous pieces of paranormal energy testers, cameras, recorders, low light videos and other special equipment.
Even though he has had dozens of requests from potential observers, Dave explained and apologized that only a few guests will be allowed to attend the investigation to keep the theater uncluttered for the testing.
To read the unique and exciting history and view dozens of pictures of the famous old Poncan Theatre, visit the Poncan Theatre Web site.
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