In 2004, the Springer Opera House was filled with visitors for a one-night ghost tour. They were all eager to see a ghost or at least experience a paranormal event.

Earlier that year, the Travel Channel aired a show called “The World’s Top Ten Ghostly Destinations” and the Springer was part of that list, which helped people become aware of the ghost stories.

At the 2004 event, most visitors didn’t see a ghost but they were entertained by docents, many of whom were actors, led by Springer producing artistic director Paul Pierce.

After several tours had gone into the theater, Pierce sent someone outside to see how many people were in line.

“He came back and said there were at least 600 people waiting in line,” Pierce said. “It was just 10 p.m.”

Each of the tours had 15 people but when Pierce heard the news of the long line, he started to send in at least 20 people at a time. And as soon as one tour left, he had another go right on its heels.

This year, he’s got five tours each night on five nights.

Pierce has written a book, “Springer Ghost Book: A Theatre Haunting in the Deep South,” which will be for sale each night.

Lauren Moya, the Springer’s community outreach director, who is also the administrative assistant and volunteer coordinator, has organized this year’s ghost tours.

She’s expecting big crowds each night, especially on Oct. 30-31.

Pierce has created a character that docents can use this year.

“He’s an old handyman who has worked at the Springer for 30 years,” he said. “He’s heard and seen everything. He’s going to let everybody in on the sights and sounds of the theater.”

Because there are male and female guides, each can create their own characters, Pierce said.

We talked to Moya about her otherworldly special event last week.

This interview was edited for length and clarity.

You are the administrative assistant and volunteer coordinator. How do you juggle both jobs?

My whole title is community outreach director. I’m busy, busy, getting everyone scheduled from ushers to working in the Saloon to doing the tours on Monday and Wednesday.

What is a typical day like for you?

I come in at 9 a.m. and I’m supposed to be here until 5 p.m. But lots of days, I’m here later than that, especially if I’m working in the Saloon. On Friday nights, I’m here until after No Shame Theater, so I’ll leave after midnight.

How long have you been planning the ghost tours?

We’ve been having lots of paranormal groups inquiring about coming here, especially after being one of the Top 10 ghostly places on the Travel Channel (“The World’s Top 10 Ghostly Destinations”). We’ve also had people ask for ghost tours instead of our regular tours. So it’s October, and we thought it would be great to have people in here for a ghost tour. We’ve been thinking about it for a while.

Paul Pierce is kind of the resident Springer ghost expert. Did you get a lot of input from him about these tours?

He conducted ghost tour training. All of the ghost stories are from his book. He took everyone to the “hot spots.” He taught us how to conduct the tours.

You’re doing the tours for five nights with five tours each night. How many volunteers are you using?

We’ll use four docents as tour guides each night. We’ll have volunteers in the box office and all around the Springer. They are all a big part of this.

Will they all be in costume?

Yes.

Are the volunteers all teenagers from the Springer Theater Academy or do you have adults?

Some are from the Academy, but most are our regular docents. Most are older, but some are younger.

You have tours leaving every 30 minutes, starting at 7 p.m. Will the tour guides have walkie talkies so the tours don’t bump up on each other just in case you have some slow pokes? How many people in each group?

Everyone will be coordinated. We won’t have walkie talkies. We will know where everybody is. We have 20 in each group.

Will this be a haunted house -- rather haunted theater -- experience with people in costume jumping out at people on the tour?

It is strictly a ghost tour, like the ones in Savannah. The Springer is said to be haunted. So we want people to be get creeped out.

Will you have special lighting, music and ghostly sounds?

All the lights will be lower. We’re working on a couple of things.

Will you have ghostly narration from the guides?

There are more than 12 ghost stories. So it depends on the tour guide.

Is it all over the theater?

Just the first floor for time reasons.

Tell us what to expect during the tour.

It’s going to be fun. It’s not gory. We’ll tell people about some of the weird things that happen here. It’s a tour for believers and non-believers. The Springer has been open many years and there have been lots of footsteps and a lot of people coming and going. You’ll see what you see. It’s not a haunted house.

Have you personally seen a ghost in the Springer?

No. But I’ve had something weird happen during “Dracula.” I played one of the vixens and I was going up to the dressing room. I was by myself, running up the stairs. I heard a girl laugh. I didn’t think about it and I did my quick (costume) change. Four or five months later, when I was going through Paul’s ghost book, there was the story of the little girl who haunts the costume loft (the third floor space where costumes are stored). It kind of creeped me out. I’ve seen things in the mirrors but I’ve never seen a ghost ghost. I do know there is a lot of energy in this building.

Have you ever been at your desk after everyone has gone home and been afraid?

Oh, yeah. Sometimes, I turn off the lights and run out the door.

Have you ever played a trick on a visiting actor or a co-worker?

Actually, no. We want people to stay.