Bloomington, Indiana – This winter, audiences are invited to step beyond the ordinary and into a world where mystery, memory, and magic collide as Constellation presents the world premiere of Séance: The Board Awakens. The immersive theatrical experience will take over the Waldron Auditorium from January 29 through February 15, offering a chilling and carefully crafted journey inspired by the dark legacy of the Ouija board.
Written by and starring acclaimed magician and performer Rob Zabrecky, the production blends live theater, illusion, and storytelling into an experience designed to feel both intimate and unsettling. Directed by Constellation’s Artistic Director Chad Rabinovitz and co-produced by Mills Entertainment, the show marks a major new addition to Constellation’s lineup of genre-driven works that explore suspense, psychology, and the unknown.
Set within the eerie remains of the original Ouija board factory, the story unfolds as a séance begins and long-buried spirits begin to stir. The setting itself becomes part of the experience, surrounding audiences with the sense that they have stepped into a place frozen in time. The narrative draws on the mysterious death of the Ouija board’s inventor in 1927, weaving fact and fiction together to ask a haunting question: once the spirits awaken, is there any way back?
At the center of the experience is Zabrecky, who serves as both guide and host for the evening. A Los Angeles native, Zabrecky is widely known for his darkly comedic, theatrical approach to magic. Over the years, he has built a career that crosses multiple creative worlds, earning recognition as Stage Musician of the Year in 2011 and 2012 and being named Close-Up Magician of the Year in 2025. LA Weekly once called him “one of LA’s most interesting natives,” a description that reflects the unusual range of his work.
Zabrecky’s career includes film and television appearances in projects such as A Ghost Story, Lost River, and Strange Angel, along with a long-running role as host of séances at the Magic Castle’s famed Houdini Séance Room. For 17 years, he has blended sleight of hand, storytelling, and atmosphere to create performances that feel personal and uncanny. His 2019 memoir, Strange Cures, explores his coming-of-age in Los Angeles from the 1970s through the 1990s and was described by the LA Times as “a punk poem to a forgotten Los Angeles.”
Behind the scenes, director Chad Rabinovitz brings deep experience in both theater and magic. Known for directing productions such as Misery, Deathtrap, and The Jokers of Magic, Rabinovitz also served as co-creator of the show. His background includes creating and directing the national tour of Penn & Teller’s Foolers and Glitches in Reality, which starred World Champion of Magic Simon Colonel. That combination of theatrical pacing and magical structure plays a key role in shaping Séance: The Board Awakens.
The creative team supporting the production is extensive and highly specialized. Magic Consultant Brent Braun helps ensure that illusions feel seamless and authentic, while Scenic Designer David Wade transforms the Waldron stage into a space that feels steeped in history. Costume Designer Dana Tzvetkov, Lighting Designer Aaron Bowersox, and Sound Designer David Sheehan work together to heighten the tension and mood, while Stage Manager Mitchell Ward and Assistant Stage Manager Andréia Sodré Nichols oversee the complex technical demands of the performance.
One of the most distinctive features of the production is its immersive seating option. For audience members seeking a deeper level of involvement, Constellation is offering enhanced seating at the Séance Table during Act 2. Those who choose this option will enjoy front-row views during Act I before taking seats directly at the table for the live séance experience, placing them at the heart of the performance as the story reaches its most intense moments.
Séance: The Board Awakens runs January 29 through February 15 at the Waldron Auditorium, located at 122 South Walnut Street. Tickets start at $35 for adults and $20 for students, plus fees. Groups of six or more can receive a 15 percent discount by using the code “SUMMON.”
Constellation is also continuing its commitment to accessibility through its Pay What You Will Thursdays program. Supported by Jessika and Bryan Hane, the program allows audiences to choose their own ticket price, starting at $13, for Thursday evening performances. Tickets are available through Constellation’s website, by phone during weekday business hours, or in person at the Waldron box office.
With its blend of live magic, immersive storytelling, and theatrical suspense, Séance: The Board Awakens promises an experience that lingers long after the final moment. For those willing to sit at the table and confront the unknown, the séance is about to begin.
