A NEW TAKE ON CLASSICS
“I started Purple Marble back in 2022,” Shockley says. “I’d been performing since 2014—dance, stilt walking, aerial silks—you name it. But I wanted to give other artists in the Triangle a space to perform. Something bold. Something different. Something weird.”
Mission accomplished. What started as a small showcase has grown into a traveling caravan of chaos, pulling in performers from across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and beyond. Each show is themed, meticulously curated, and packed with talent you won’t see anywhere else.
This October’s Hush Little Horror show will feature pole dancers, aerialists, contortionists, jugglers, and burlesque artists—all bringing nightmare nursery rhymes to life. Shockley says she puts out a call for talent before every show and gets flooded with applications. “We look for concept, character, music, and creativity. Some people are pros, some it’s their first time on stage. I love mixing it up.”
And yes, Shockley herself will be performing—this time to Marilyn Manson’s cover of Sweet Dreams. “I like to sneak in a little sideshow or shock factor when I can,” she says. “Something that makes people go, ‘Wait, did I just see that?’”
If you’ve never been to a Purple Marble show, expect to be surprised. Previous productions have included “Road to Wonderland” (an Alice in Wonderland fever dream), “Silent Fright” (a holiday horror show), and a mythical animals-themed show that supported Safe Haven for Cats, raising $5,000 for the feline nonprofit organization. Shockley says giving back is important to her, and she hopes to partner with more local nonprofits in the future.
But this October is all about the thrill of the unknown. Purple Marble shows have sold out every time, and Shockley hopes to eventually grow the production big enough to hit larger venues like Lincoln Theatre. The only catch? Most venues can’t handle the rigging requirements for aerial acts. “You need the right beams, the right safety,” she explains. “We want to keep pushing the envelope—but safely.”
Motorco, thankfully, has everything they need. Plus, with its connected restaurant Parts & Labor, it’s the perfect date night for spooky season. Grab dinner, a cocktail, and then watch someone hang upside-down from a hoop while dressed as a zombified Humpty Dumpty.
“This isn’t just a show—it’s an experience,” Shockley says. “You’re going to see things that make you laugh, gasp, and question what you thought you knew about circus arts.”
Tickets are 18+, and with the show starting at 7 p.m., you’ll still be home in time to beat the Sunday Scaries. Just don’t expect to sleep right away—those twisted nursery rhymes
