Hiring & Training Scare Actors: From Application to Opening Night

Hiring & Training Scare Actors: From Application to Opening Night

Author: Brian Foreman & Darryl Plunkie: Haunters, Scare Actors, Haunt Owners July 1, 2022 Duration: 1:11:08

To get all of the bonuses that come along with this episode, become a Haunt Master at HauntersToolbox.com

Hiring & Training Actors – From Application to Opening Night

You have advertised and recruited, and the actor applications are piling in. Now what?

You're wondering how to audition, hire, sort, train, cast, and schedule all of these applicants so that opening night isn't a completely disorganized mess?

In this seminar, Alyssa Schipani, will take you through a step-by-step process of hiring and preparing your actors with group auditions, actor training workshops, and orientation. She will not only discuss WHAT to do but HOW and WHY, lots of actor exercises included!

Whether you are planning to open a haunt, are a small-staffed haunt, or are a large-staffed haunt with 150+ actors, this time-efficient and cost-effective process will have your actors excited, motivated, confident, and fully prepared for the season – making your job a lot less stressful and creating an overall better experience for your actors and management staff!

Find Ally at DesignByAly.com


Ever wondered how the chilling atmosphere of a professional haunted house is really built, or what it takes to make a scare actor’s performance truly unforgettable? HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters pulls back the heavy black curtain on the world of professional scares. Hosts Brian Foreman and Darryl Plunkie aren’t just commentators; they’re working haunters, scare actors, and haunt owners who live this passion year-round. In each episode, they sit down with the artists, builders, and visionaries who create the terrifying events we love, capturing their personal stories and hard-won expertise. This podcast is built on practical, real-world advice, focusing on how you can design effective scares and build compelling attractions without relying on a massive budget. It’s a deep, conversational dive into the craft, from makeup techniques and set design to the psychology of fear and the business of Halloween. You’ll hear the triumphs, the creative problem-solving, and the dedicated community that brings the haunting season to life. Tune in for an authentic look behind the screams, where passion for the art form is always the main topic.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

HaunTopic Radio: Haunted Attractions | Haunted Houses | Halloween | Haunters
Podcast Episodes
A Scary Christmas: Turn Your Haunt Into a Twisted Wonderland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:09
To join these Master Classes live, become a Haunt Master at HauntersToolbox.com Have you ever opened your attraction for Christmas? What's it take to do it successfully? Do you have to change everything? We learn how wit…
Haunt Season Post-mortem: The Past, Present, & Future [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:52:36
How did your Haunt Season go?? We had some ups & downs. And some BIG changes are in store for 2023. Some of our Haunt Master members share their experiences and give you a sneak peek behind their businesses. In this podc…
Halloween Traditions (& Spooky Tunes) with Lesley Bannatyne [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:09
Our 2022 Halloween Special with Lesley Bannatyne! She knows a lot about Halloween and shares some spooky tales about October traditions, the beginning of Halloween, and the evolution of haunted attractions. Plus, we thro…
13 Ways To Get More People To Your Haunt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:41:44
Whether you're a Home Haunter or Haunted Attraction, we all need patrons to show up after the construction is done and the actors are in their spots. But how do we get customers while stretching our budget? Here are 13 d…
Haunted Attraction Marketing with FearWorm [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:10:14
To get access to our Haunt Master Class video library, become a Haunt Master at HauntersToolbox.com In this episode, Tyler Barnett from FearWorm discusses ways to increase your attraction's attendance, creative ways to u…
Haunt Insurance: Are you really covered? You may not be. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:46
Craig Watt, from Terror Isle in Texas City and a 20-year veteran as an insurance agent, explains Haunt Insurance in simple terms and reveals that the coverage you have may not be covering what you think it does. To get t…
Fire Safety & Actor Safety with Fear Asylum [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:07
One of the biggest hurdles that Haunters face is preparing your attraction for the fire marshal. This podcast episode will get you ready for your inspector and help make your Haunt safer, for your customers and staff. To…
The Growing Pains of an Outdoor Haunt with Zombie Farms [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:39
Cynthia MacDonald from Zombie Farms in Athens, Georgia shares her experience from start to finish on how she started their outdoor trail and how you can start one too. To get access to this entire Master Class, become a…
Monsters & Mindset: Creative Planning for Your Attraction [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:33
Things you'll find in this Haunt Master Class How to save money and time when designing your attraction. How to be more creative. Prepare your mindset for this next season. What do you really need to focus on? ...and lot…
Haunt Industry Trends & Preparing for Next Season [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:27
We discuss the Haunt Industry trends of 2021 and what you need to focus on in 2022. Special Guests Philip Hernandez from Haunted Attraction Network and Alex Linebrink from Haunt Pay. Where to focus your time & money in 2…