Quoted from
HauntedHouses.com:
"Many performers have enjoyed expressing their talents in this grand theatre, and it seems that many have decided to hang around or periodically visit this beautiful brick building of the performing arts, which has brought many fine productions and concert events to its enthusiastic audiences. More than one entity is thought to call The Washington Opera House their after-life home.
Though many of the entities which live there in The Washington Opera House are unknown, one is thought to be the spirit of Loretta (Laura) Stambo, a talented dancer in a traveling performance group of various performers, in the late 1800's. It seems that this group of performing artists had made it a point of traveling through Maysville probably once a year, when they went on tour, as Maysville is located in a convenient spot, so close to Ohio.
The story goes that The Washington Opera House was one of Loretta's favorite places to dance on stage. On the night of one such scheduled performance, Loretta, who was suffering from a bad case of pneumonia, followed her heart instead of her head, and tried to dance her part in the show, but collapsed on stage before she could do so. She died later at her hotel room. Her dying request was honored, and she was buried in the dressing room, located right under the stage area.
Karen Laven, in her book, Cincinnati Ghosts, And other Tri-State Haunts gives the reader some fascinating stories about the haunted spots which are found in Maysville. The Washington Opera House is one such place. To read the full stories and details, and incidents not covered here, buy this interesting book!
The entity Loretta wants respect.
During the era of glass coke bottles, an ignorant actor placed his empty glass coke bottle on her grave. The bottle jumped up and shattered.
A picture of Loretta was painted on the wall of the lobby area. The eyes of this picture seemed to connect with some people, leaving them feeling a little uneasy. Several times it was painted over. Each time, the picture came through, with the eyes of Loretta in this painting seemingly becoming angrier and angrier. It was finally painted over for good so far, so it is thought.
The entity of Loretta has been known to be helpful, ever the dedicated theatre enthusiast.
A woman who was working on scenery for a play, asked a co-worker to bring her a nine foot long piece of ply wood which was leaning up against the wall. Slowly the wood in question floated down, defying gravity, and softly landed with in reach of the woman, who thanked Loretta.
The entity of Loretta and / or one of the other entities have been known to watch over the performers on stage.
During a dress rehearsal, a wooden beam which was tied to a tier above an actress, came loose and normally would've hit the young woman, but it was caught by unseen hands and glided to the floor - perhaps a group effort by the resident entities!
The entity of Loretta or one of the other entities like to get their chuckles on occasion, especially if the living stay after 12 midnight in rehearsal or in preparation, when they want the building to themselves.
Two people who were closing up one evening got a scare after seeing a long piece of rope, hanging in mid-air, not being tied to a rafter beam. A coldness in the air was felt.
Auditory Manifestations:
People have heard a disembodied voice call their name.
A woman's footsteps have been heard going across the stage area.
STILL HAUNTED?
Yes indeed!"