History & local legend
In October 2002, students rehearsing Les Misérables at Archbishop Prendergast High School explored rooms above the school’s small black-box theater. The building had formerly been an orphanage, and a doorway normally covered by a board had been opened for contractors replacing windows upstairs.
A cast member later writing under the nickname Germ described going up with friends Mike, Ryan and Michelle before an early rehearsal. While Michelle examined old test papers, the other three slipped across the hall and hid in another room, intending to frighten her. Michelle called for them as they tried to stay silent and suppress their laughter.
Then they heard several little girls giggling in the adjoining room. The three looked at one another, realized they had all heard it, and rushed out to get Michelle and run downstairs.
