Fire Alarm Halts Play About Oct. 7 Hamas Attacks at Northwestern University
A performance of "October 7," featuring testimony from survivors of the Hamas terrorist attacks, was interrupted by a fire alarm, leading to an evacuation.
A fire alarm disrupted a performance of the play "October 7" at Northwestern University on Tuesday night, forcing an evacuation of Cahn Auditorium. The play, which features verbatim testimony from survivors and eyewitnesses of the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist attacks, was hosted by Northwestern Hillel.
Northwestern Media Relations confirmed that the fire alarm was activated around 8:12 p.m., leading to the building's evacuation. A subsequent investigation by fire and police determined the building was safe, and attendees were allowed back in to complete the performance, which concluded at 9:45 p.m. The Northwestern University Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident.
The play aims to recount the experiences of those affected by the Oct. 7 attacks, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths in Israel and the taking of 251 hostages into Gaza.
A video showing attendees evacuating the auditorium as the alarm sounded was posted online by Ann McElhinney, co-writer of the play. She stated the alarm occurred during a particularly impactful moment of the performance.
The Coalition Against Antisemitism at Northwestern (CAAN) noted the symbolic resonance of a fire alarm, mirroring the air raid sirens that warned Israeli civilians during the initial attacks on Oct. 7. CAAN called for authorities to investigate whether antisemitic bias played a role in the fire alarm's activation, though they acknowledged that investigators had not yet determined if it was deliberately triggered.
In November 2025, Northwestern reached a $75 million agreement with the federal government to resolve investigations into allegations of antisemitism and discrimination on campus. As part of that agreement, the university committed to enhancing protections for Jewish students and implementing mandatory antisemitism training.
"October 7," created by Phelim McAleer and Ann McElhinney and directed by Jeff Gurner, has previously been performed off-Broadway and at other universities, including Princeton, UCLA, and Bowdoin College.