HAUNTED SCHOOLHOUSE ACTOR INFORMATION

Timeline:

• August (and ongoing as needed): performer recruitment, background checks, gathering of contact and basic performer information such as clothing and shoe sizes. 

• September: Orientation events and rehearsals, primarily for scene lead performers. Costume fittings. 

• October: Makeup tutorials and haunt acting workshops, tech and dress rehearsals, and performances.

Currently scheduled rehearsals and performances (exact times subject to shift slightly, but expect a 4-6 hour commitment for each rehearsal and performance): 1) Monday, October 21, 6pm-10pm: Dress/tech rehearsal 2) Tuesday, October 22, 6pm-10pm: Soft open for invited guests 3) Wednesday, October 23 - Saturday, October 26, 6:30 pm - midnight: public performances for general community audience

Volunteer Performers: We are seeking 30+ local volunteers to fill various roles throughout the haunted school house, including evil nurses, otherworldly shadow figures, moonshiners, civil war soldiers, and more! Theatrical experience is a plus, but not required. What is required is a commitment to attend rehearsals and performances, adhere to safety protocols, and scare the pants off your friends and neighbors! Dinner will be provided at each dress rehearsal and performance.

To express interest in a volunteer performer role, please click here.

Paid Scene Leaders: These roles require improv, guest interaction, and coordinating other actors in their scene/zone. It is critical that these actors have experience in theatrical and/or haunt settings, are committed to attending every rehearsal and performance night, and demonstrate exceptional professionalism and dedication to safety protocols. Pay will be in the range of $200 for the entire run of rehearsals and performances and may be scaled based on experience and other factors. Dinner will be provided at each dress rehearsal and performance. Public transit loop coordinated by Hilloween will be provided between Buladean and Spruce Pine. Accommodations MAY be offered depending on circumstances and availability. To express your interest in a in a paid scene leader role, please click here and be prepared to share your headshot and resume. We will contact you further about recorded or in-person auditions. Paid scene leaders include the following roles:

• Military Escorts/Guards (any gender presentation, 18+): These Military personnel will either lead groups through the tour or be stationed in zones to help direct tour groups toward and away from scares, in the appropriate direction for the narrative of the haunted house, and provide additional eyes and ears for guest and performer safety. These roles require the most dynamic range of skills, including improv, guest interaction, following a script, interacting with other haunt actors, de-escalating potential issues, etc. Training will be provided for non-artistic expectations. These roles are indoor/outdoor traversing.

• School Marm (female presenting, appears 50+): An adult female presenting severe Victorian school marm who may or may not be an agent of evil controlling a classroom of ghost children. This role is stationed indoors. 

• Frankie Silver (female presenting, appears 18-25): From the local true crime legacy, Frankie leads guests into her story prompting them to contemplate what really happened to her ill fated husband. 

• Male Silver relative (male presenting, appears 30+): Accomplice? Perpetrator? Victim? Guests decide as this role leaves more questions than answers! 

• Mad Apple Farmer (male presenting, appears 50+): Hiding away in a decrepit workshop, the mad apple farmer concocts various schemes to poison and otherwise torment local children. This role is stationed indoors. 

• Head nurse (female presenting, 18+): This nurse leads a team of psychiatric nurses who may be better off as patients themselves! This role is stationed indoors but next to an exit. 

• Moonshiner (male presenting, appears 30+): This classic mountain moonshiner protecting his operation at any cost! This role is stationed outdoors. 

• Lead Battlefield Surgeon (male presenting, appears 30+): This psychopath takes advantage of the chaos of battle to experiment on wounded and dying soldiers, including amputation and burning of remains. This role is stationed in an outbuilding exposed to the elements.

• Please note that characters are subject to change as we co-create a new experience this year.

Safety and accommodations: 

• Background checks for performers and other volunteers/personnel

• Supervision of actors and guests in key performance zones, as well as roaming throughout the tour.

• NO CONTACT strictly enforced between actors and guests.

• Entry denial/expulsion for guests OR performers exhibiting dangerous behavior such as acute intoxication, erratic physical behavior, disturbing speech, or failure to follow instructions. 

Content notices (all simulated based on predetermined choreography. NO CONTACT between actors and guests): Military presence/action, Loud, sudden noises, Flashing lights, Dim lighting, Sudden movements, Blood and gore, Medical horror, Cannibalism, Disfigurement, Imprisonment, Locked gates and doors, Psychosis/mental illness.

Did we scare you off? We hope not! Please click one of the boxes below if you would like to join us as an actor!