Caroline Hendricks Shares Backstage Secrets From PARANORMAL ACTIVITY

We all know how much hard work goes into the performances that audiences see eight times a week on Broadway. When they're not giving it their all onstage, most performers are backstage doing what it takes to stay happy, healthy, and ready to go between scenes. In Words From The Wings, BroadwayWorld is taking fans behind the curtain to shine a spotlight on the everyday routines that keep Broadway stars moving. 

In this edition, we catch up with Caroline Hendricks who is now appearing in Paranormal Activity on Broadway, as the understudy for Lou. Below, she takes us backstage at the August Wilson Theatre (with photos by Jennifer Broski) to share some of her favorite backstage moments, must-haves, and more!

This show marks Caroline Hendricks' Broadway debut! She previously appeared in Paranormal Activity at Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Center Theatre Group, Shakespeare Theatre Company, and American Conservatory Theater. Chicago theatre credits include Infernal (Malapuzza); Hooded, or Being Black for Dummies (Clementine; Jeff Award–nominated ensemble); The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience (Lady in Waiting); Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook (Junie B. Jones). Comedy writing/ensemble: Chicago Comedy Hour (The Second City’s de Maat Theater); Liquidation Sale! (Judy’s Beat Lounge); TenneSHE Williams’ The Glass Ceiling Menagerie (The Second City Conservatory Graduate Showcase, e.t.c. Theater at The Second City); It’s a Wonderful Laugh (Bughouse Theater). On television, she can be seen in “Chicago Fire” (NBC), and on film in Room Six. 

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What’s the first thing you do when you arrive at the theatre?

I sign in with the marker that looks like blood and then I FIGHT FOR MY LIFE…by climbing the 7.5 flights of stairs to my dressing room with a large bag often filled with what feels like everything I own. I have to take breaks because I swear the air is thinner up there!

What’s the last thing you do before you go on stage?

I say a little prayer and pop a little Altoid into my mouth. In the show, I am a married woman, which involves lots of smooching. No matter how good of an actor you are, no one wants to kiss someone with a dumpster mouth. I’m not saying my mouth smells like dumpster, but you get the point.

What’s your must-have backstage snack?

I love a sweet treat and have a propensity for cookies, but I am not picky. One of my friends coined the phrase “Caroline want a cookie?” And the answer is always yes. 

Caron, Michael, and I are also really into the Trader Joe’s Chili & Lime Rolled Tortilla Chips and take turns buying a bag to share. Caron and Michael, if you are reading this, I know it is currently my turn. I must make the Trader Joe’s pilgrimage soon, the chips are calling to me. 

Pre-show ritual that others may think is weird?

It’s always kind of freaky and weird watching someone warm up. I like to do this technique called Tremoring which, to the outside eye, looks like full body shaking.  One time I was warming up on stage and let out a big “Whoo!” and accidentally scared the crap out of our Head Props, who was setting the stage. I’m sorry Chris!!

What are five must-haves in your dressing room?

1.Theater Blanket—The theater is cold and this $10 blanket was a game changer. 

2. Music/Headphones—I make a playlist for every role, which helps me get into the world of the play and headspace of the character. Headphones because I share a dressing room with Caron and I don’t want to force her to listen to the emo-girl playlist I made for Lou.

3. Paranormal Water Bottle—Unfortunately, I do not mean a haunted water bottle, that would be cool though. We were gifted a Paranormal Activity water bottle opening night in Boston and this thing is amazing! It can hold hot AND cold water and has a fun top that is really satisfying to play with. If I’m going to be haunted, I need to be hydrated.

4. My script—I’ve been with this show since September 2025, but I still like to read the script regularly. Because it’s a new play, so much has changed from last year to now, which is really exciting. It's always important to keep diving deeper into the text and make new discoveries to keep things fresh.

5. My journal—to release the beast. 

What’s your favorite moment from the show to watch from the wings?

Because the set is a house, the wings are blocked by walls, doors, and windows. There is however, one hole on stage right where you can see from backstage. I call it the Peeping-Tom Hole because I feel super creepy staring through it. It feels like Rear Window, but haunted. My biggest irrational fear is accidentally making eye contact with someone on stage through the hole, so I’ll usually stand in a dark corner and listen to the audience’s reaction to a haunted moment that happens about 45 minutes into the first act. No spoilers, but the screams that exude from the audience are truly a sound to behold.

What has been your favorite backstage moment in your time with this show so far?

Becoming penpals/friends with the Michael Jackson cast!! Our first day in the theater, we discovered that our dressing rooms face each other, so we wrote a message in the window and they wrote back!!! Sometimes we will open our windows and shout to each other or wave/dance. I made a little video about it on my Instagram/TikTok (@carolinehen_). If you cross the street and look up, you can see our notes to each other in the windows. It is very wholesome. 

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About Paranormal Activity

Paranormal Activity officially opened tonight at the August Wilson Theatre is written by Levi Holloway and directed by Felix Barrett.

The production stars Cher Álvarez as Lou, Travis A. Knight as James, Shannon Cochran as Carolanne, and Eva Kaminsky as Etheline Cotgrave with understudies Caron Buinis, Caroline Hendricks and Michael Holding. Álvarez, Knight, Cochran, Buinis, Hendricks and Holding are all making their Broadway debuts and reprising their roles from previous productions across North America.