Festival Lineup Announcement
Local legends, touring artists, and up-and-comers summon spirits at CoHo Theatre October 9th-19th
PORTLAND, OREGON – August 1, 2025 | The fourth annual Stage Fright Festival, Portland’s premiere showcase of queer horror theatre, with a healthy dose of comedy, lurches back to life at its newest haunt, the CoHoTheatre (2257 NW Raleigh St., Portland, OR, 97210). Performances run daily October 9 through 19, 2025. Most performances are 60 minutes, and tickets are $25.
This year’s festival will feature full length productions, “double features” of shorter scares, script readings, interactive installations, a mask-making workshop, and variety performances by both local and international talent including Candy Roberts (Critics Pick: Orlando Fringe Festival), Nancy Boys (Official Selection: LA Westside Comedy Festival), A Little Bit Off (Best of Fest: Saskatoon Fringe), and more.
Tickets go on sale September 2nd. To celebrate, join us for a special fundraiser hosted by Oakshire Beer Hall (5013 NE 42nd Avenue, Portland, Oregon) starting at 6 PM on September 2nd. Hear all about the lineup, ask questions, and meet some of our artists!
The festival will kick off on October 9th at 7:30 PM with a special event. "Trick or Treat!", A Haunted Talk Show & Lights Out BINGO. Get to know the festival lineup as “the world’s most entertaining entertainer”, Frank (Emily Newton), welcomes trick-or-treaters into his home, who all happen to be this year’s artists prepared with behind-the-scenes anecdotes and teaser performances. And of course, play some thrilling rounds of BINGO with special prizes - and scares. 90 minutes approx. $5 for a sheet of 3 BINGO cards.
MAINSTAGE PRODUCTIONS
A Grave Mistake by A Little Bit Off
Botched seances, bungled grave robbing, & a ghostly curse plague two inept swindlers. Will they get out alive, or will they make A GRAVE MISTAKE?! From 20+ Award winning duo, A Little Bit Off.
October 10, 7:30 PM
October 11, 1:30 PM
October 12, 4:30 PM
Possession by Zoe Brouwer
In desperate need of company, an isolated shut-in summons a demon. Creator & performer Zoe Brouwer explores the depths of loneliness and self-worth in this intimate possession.
October 11, 3:00 PM
October 12, 6:00 PM
October 15, 7:30 PM
You’re the One In Here by Sophina Flores and Daye Thomas
A new musical with lyrics by Sophina Flores and music by Daye Thomas. Three siblings live in a house where shadows stretch for too long, doors don’t lead where they should, and something is always watching, waiting.
October 11, 4:30 PM
October 12, 3:00 PM
October 19, 4:30 PM
Nancy Boys by Nick and Justin Condon
Playing plucky young detectives Frank and Joe Nancy, married duo Nick and Justin Condon completely improvise a mystery and play all the suspects in a campy sendup of classic Americana.
October 11, 9:30 PM
October 19, 3:00 PM
Soli-scare by Nick Condon
A frighteningly funny solo improvised horror musical comedy.
October 17, 7:30 PM
The Innkeeper by Basement Stair Collective
Taking inspiration from Japanese folklore, Basement Stair Collective uses their signature style of movement, puppetry and play to tell a tale where a traveler suspects there is more to their hosts than meets the eye…meow.
October 12, 7:30 PM
October 16, 9:00 PM
October 18, 3:00 PM
LARRY by Candy Roberts
When the band doesn’t arrive, tech guy Larry tries his darndest to convince the audience that he can do the show. What could go wrong? Performed by award-winning Canadian artist, Candy Roberts.
October 16, 7:30 PM
October 17, 9:00 PM
October 18, 4:30 PM
DOUBLE FEATURES
"Undone" by Rags & "The Cherry On Top" by Cherry Pauper
Rags (they/them) presents “Undone” — a clowncore gender exorcism that pecks at the absurdity of biology as destiny and works to unravel the scripts all too often stuffed into trans bodies.
In the draglesque show, "The Cherry On Top", Cherry Pauper rushes to vacuum, decide if she wants kids, polish her forks, and question her role as a wife, all before the timer goes off and the pie is done. I hope you're hungry...her pies are to die for!
October 10, 9:00 PM
October 19, 1:30 PM
"The Surgery" by Nathalie FitzSimons and Butch Femme Fatale
Are you ready for “The Surgery”? Trans creator and electronic musician Nathalie FitzSimons performs gender-affirming healthcare on a willing audience volunteer. What’s scary about this, you ask? What a good question!
What is film noir on stage? Stage noir? Find out from Improv troupe Butch Femme Fatale as they bring you senselessly serious, incredibly improvised…noir.
October 12, 1:30 PM
October 15, 9:00 PM
“Balloons” by Daniela Nenova & "The Mummy's Purse" by Puppeteers for Fears
Oh, you want scary clowns? We’ll give you scary clowns, alright! The VHS-era children’s tv show “Balloons” steadily evolves from comfort watch to fever dream to nightmare. From last year’s star of the Macabre Cabaret, Daniela Nenova.
In “The Mummy’s Purse” an Egyptian mummy pursues a pair of tomb raiders across the globe to return a lost backpack--and maybe suck their souls. From acclaimed Ashland, OR-based musical-comedy troupe, Puppeteers for Fears.
October 18, 1:30 PM
October 19, 6:00 PM
OTHER EVENTS
The Macabre Cabaret, our signature variety show, returns for performances by festival artists and special guests. October 11 and 19 at 7:30 PM (different acts each show!)
Staged Readings of SCARE CITY by Stomping Grounds Arthouse & Revenge of the Attack of the Killer Sirens by Dominique Knight. October 14th at 7:30 PM. Two hours with a ten minute intermission. $25 suggested donation.
Curated storytelling event in collaboration with Telltale. October 18th at 7:30 PM. 90 minutes.
Film screening of a surprise B-horror film, with live commentary from local comedians. October 18th at 9 PM. $25 suggested donation. 90 minutes.
Monster mask-making workshop taught by Adam Ende from Jawbone Puppet Theatre. October 18th and 19th from 9 AM - 1 PM. Pricing TBA.
Performance art & installations, happening on October 11th and 18th at 6:00 PM, and next door in the lobby of the Cuomo Theatre Collaborative in between performances on the 10th, 11th, 17th and 18th. Performance lengths vary. No ticket required for entry, but tipping the artists is encouraged.
