In the midst of fall, many people look forward to the thrill of going to a haunted attraction. For students scare-actors, their excitement grows to transform into monsters and creatures.
Hidden beneath layers of makeup and costume are teens who love the thrill of scaring others. These students share what donning the masks of fear and terrorizing visitors at the scare attraction Bloodrush is like.
For senior Oliver Leslie, scare acting isn’t just a seasonal job, it’s a hobby. Their passion for the art of fear started during their sophomore year.
“I just wanted to try out something new,” Leslie said. “I thought it would be an entertaining job and it turned out I was right, this is the best job I have ever had.”
Over the years, Oliver has transformed from a smaller character into a seasoned scare actor, playing the role of an evil clown.
The art of scare acting requires dedication and an understanding of what makes people scared. These students carefully observe the reactions of the people and adapt to ensure the performance is perfect.
Junior Truitt Logan has spent the season working on scare skills and perfecting techniques. He spends hours before and during the season perfecting timing, body language, and understanding what people are afraid of.
“I think a big misconception is that It’s not just about jumping out and screaming at people,” Logan said. “It’s about making people forget that it’s all an act.”
For most scare actors, the greatest reward is witnessing the variety of reactions they get from people, ultimately leading to a smile on their face from the thrill.
“It’s amazing how different people react,” junior Lawson Pashia said. “Some scream, some freeze, some try to run away, and a few even start laughing out of nervousness. Sometimes you’ll get someone who wants to get physical with you, It triggers their fight or flight.”
But it’s not just the adrenaline rush that keeps these students from coming back every year, It’s the sense of community among the scare actors.
“We all share a unique bond through the shared experience of the job,” Pashia said. “We’re like a family, we support each other to push our limits and create a fun space for everyone.”
As the final days of the season came to a close, these student scare actors anticipated what they could add to elevate the experience for others in the coming years and embraced the screams they would create in the next spooky season.
