From left: Tim Curry (Dr. Frank N. Furter), Barry Bostwick (Brad Majors) and Susan Sarandon (Janet Weiss) in the classic cult film “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.” Credit: Courtesy of 20th Century Fox/Zumav Wire Press Via TNS.

From student-run shows to professional theater productions, the Ohio State community has several opportunities to experience the cult classic “The Rocky Horror Show” this Halloween season.

“The Rocky Horror Show,” a 1973 musical, follows a newly engaged couple who stumbles upon a mysterious castle housing a flamboyant mad scientist, his muscle-clad monster creation and an eccentric ensemble cast of characters.

On campus, student-run theater group the Black Box Series will perform a shadowcast — a live, lip-synced performance to a film as it plays on a screen behind performers — of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show,” using the 1975 film adaptation of the musical, starring Tim Curry.

“Think a hybrid mix of going to see a movie in a movie theater, but also watching a drag performance,” said Mikel Kindell, a third-year in theater and president of the Black Box Series.

“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” shadowcasts are known for their audience participation, encouraging attendees to engage in “callbacks,” or yelling certain phrases in response to events of the show.

“I kind of wanted something interactive, where it’s not just we as the performers perform, but you as the audience get to join us on stage in a sort of way,” Kindell said. “I thought that would be really interesting to do, and a new and out-of-the-box way of involving our community and our audience.”

The Black Box Series’ shadowcast of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will be performed in room 435 of the Theatre, Film, and Media Arts building Sunday at 7 p.m.

More shadowcasts of “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” will be put on by the Fishnet Mafia, Columbus’ traveling cabaret group. The group performs a shadowcast of the movie at Studio 35 Cinema & Drafthouse once every month, according to the group’s Instagram page, with additional performances at other theaters this Halloween season.

Danielle Ayres, co-director of the Fishnet Mafia and a performer in the group for almost 10 years, said the interactive nature of shadowcasts sets them apart from typical stage performances.

“I think we have that uniqueness, because a lot of musicals and plays, you don’t get to have that freedom of being able to do those callbacks, because sometimes it’s considered rude,” Ayres said. “With us, we’re just having fun. We are taking it seriously, but we’re just doing this for the fun of it.”

Ayres said they think everyone should experience a shadowcast, at least once.

“This is something you should always try once, even if you’re not the most open-minded person,” Ayres said. “If it’s not for you, that’s fine. We’re not gonna judge you. It’s just something fun to do on a Saturday night with your friends, and just make some memories.”

Although most upcoming Fishnet Mafia shadowcasts at Studio 35 are sold out, tickets are still available for the Saturday’s 10:30 p.m. performance at the London State Theater, and can be purchased on the website, and Tuesday’s 8 p.m. performance at Jackie O’s On Fourth is free to attend.

Nick Hardin, a performer at the Short North Stage, said he sneaked into a Fishnet Mafia performance when he was 15 years old. Now, he is returning to the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the Short North Stage’s annual production of “The Rocky Horror Show” for the ninth year in a row.

“It’s really rewarding,” Hardin said. “My favorite part of the show is watching the audience get to participate and enjoy it, and watching the audience open up over the course of the production.”

Hardin said this production of “The Rocky Horror Show” is set during the 1970s glam rock era, honoring the period when the musical and film debuted while incorporating elements that distinguish it from previous adaptations.

“We have moments where we obviously pay sincere homage to the movie and the original production, but we have a lot of unique things,” Hardin said. “I think that it’s a great way to celebrate the show.”

Sydney Webb, a member of the production’s ensemble and an Ohio State graduate, said the show’s atmosphere is unique and exciting.

“I don’t think there’s a lot of experiences that you can find day to day that really resemble something as interactive and exciting as this one,” Webb said. “It’s a good time.”

The Short North Stage’s production of “The Rocky Horror Show” runs Thursday through Oct. 31, and tickets can be purchased on the website.