16 Nights of Spine-Tingling Theatre runs October 2–30, 2025
Cincinnati, OH – Know Theatre of Cincinnati announces an entire month of live entertainment – created by local artists – that dares you to close your eyes, hold your breath, and venture into the shadows.
With ten different live productions over 16 nights dedicated to the eerie, the uncanny, and the supernatural, octKNOWber Nights promises to raise the spirits of the Halloween season. Audiences will be treated to a lineup that ranges from original one-act dark comedies to the spookiest of golden era radio plays, a classic horror film screening with live musical scoring, stand-up and improv comedy, and cabarets that run the gamut from the musical and macabre to the truly bizarre.
With a costume contest (Oct 29), late night drag shows (Oct 24 & 25), and the festive atmosphere that only an underground bar full of theatre artists can create, octKNOWber Nights is just the trick to get you into the Halloween spirit.
octKNOWber Nights Lineup
October 2–5 – Katie Scarlett presents Z is for Zebra
A limited run Encore of the sold-out 2025 Cincy Fringe Development show from Cincinnati-based artist and activist Katie Scarlett. Directed by Liz Carman.
October 9 – Not Welcome At Home
A night of stand-up comedy from two Indigenous comedians, Janette Perez & Homer Shadowheart – and a great ally, Erica Russell.
October 10 – A Sad Vampire by Aleah Vassell
A harmless vampire spends Halloween in an Applebee’s facing her demons. A staged reading directed by Candice Handy.
October 11 – The Anti-Pestilence League presents A Double Dose of Dread
A live performance of two of the spookiest radio plays of the Golden Era: SUSPENSE: Fugue in C Minor and THE WHISTLER: A Matter of Patience.
October 12 – Death Defying presents CREEPSHOW
Horror meets humor in five twisted tales brought to life by a killer cast of actors and improvisers. A live script reading with only a little improvisation.
October 17–19 – A to Z Productions presents Ghost Stunters
Fake ghosts make good television. Real ghosts make GREAT television. A paranormal comedy by Alexx Rouse & Zach Robinson.
October 24–26 – Bard & Bandit presents Madhouse the Musical
Experience the drama. Embrace the darkness. A cabaret of musical theatre – with a sinister spin. Plus: Odd Presents the Madhouse Unleashed Drag Show after the cabaret on October 24 & 25.
October 29 – Show Us Your WeirdSpooky Cabaret + Costume Contest
One night. 20 unforgettable acts. Presented by Erika MacDonald.
October 30 – InnerSpace Collective Presents: Nosferatu
The 1922 silent film with a live, improvised score.
Performance Information
octKNOWber Nights runs October 2–30, 2025
Know Theatre of Cincinnati, 1120 Jackson Street, Cincinnati, OH 45202
All evening performances are at 7:30pm, Sunday matinees are at 2pm.
Ticket Information
Know Theatre of Cincinnati exists to build belonging through bold theatre.
The 22nd Annual Cincinnati Fringe Festival was made possible by a generous partnership with our neighbors at First Lutheran Church, the Miami University Center for Community Outreach in Over-the-Rhine, and Coffee Emporium.
Know Theatre is supported by the generosity of tens of thousands of contributors to the annual ArtsWave Campaign, the region’s primary source for arts funding.
The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Know Theatre with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence, and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.
Know Theatre is also supported by the Greater Cincinnati Foundation, which provides a simple, powerful, and highly personal approach to giving.
Know Theatre is a member of Theatre Communications Group and an Associate Member of the National New Play Network.
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Ready to make some magic happen? We’re building our production team for a high-energy show that’s all about bending and snapping—LEGALLY BLONDE the Musical!
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