Experience as a Scare Actor
Working as a scare actor can be an entertaining and rewarding experience. It is thrilling and interactive; you get to engage with the public. Not only do you get to bring joy and thrills to visitors, but you also get to work with like-minded, passionate individuals. It’s fun to team up with other actors on scares; teamwork is more fun as people often only expect a single actor.
Becoming a Universal Studios Scareactor
Landing a job as a Universal Studios Scareactor is sought-after in theme park entertainment. As a scare actor, you’re the backbone of Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights. You make this ultimate Halloween party immersive and frighteningly fun for all guests. Entry pay for actors is $10.88 an hour, and the jobs are seasonal and part-time.
Personal Journey
I loved being a scare actor; it is probably an experience most people will never have. It is chaotic, but fun and I created a family with my coworkers. I am going to prepare to be just as scary for next year. Actually, I’m told the technical term is “scare actor.” That’s what Joey Wilson, a Horror Nights veteran and my new scare mentor tells me. He once spooked a man into a heart attack.
Actor Insights
Ribz DeLeon is prepared to be a scary clown at Field of Screams Maryland. For 40 hours a week, she is a store manager but after 3 p.m., she drives for her passion of being a clown. For some people clowns are creepy, but DeLeon has always gravitated toward the costumes and face paint. “Being a clown feels more natural. You can scare people by just standing there.“
Behind the Scenes at Fright Fest
That’s just one of the storylines that scare actors at Fright Fest follow to bring the Halloween thrill to life. With around 200 scare actors this year, this is the park’s largest Fright Fest ever. But before the haunts, the talent behind the monsters is put to action in “Ghoul School” to turn up the fear while keeping guests and themselves safe.
What It’s Like to Be a Scare Actor
Being a scare actor is a thrilling experience unlike any other. You get to live in the skin of terrifying characters, provoking fear and screams from unsuspecting victims. It’s all about perfecting your craft, creating believable performances, and reveling in the adrenaline rush of scaring people.
Salary Insights
The hourly rate for scare actors varies, and wages for seasonal occupations like this are a little tricky to keep track of. Glassdoor shows that scare actors earn between $9 and $15 per hour on average. This is Reedy’s third year working as a scare actor. It’s his second season with Scream, and he feels that he’s found his calling working as a Midway haunter rather than one of the house positions.
Preparation Tips for Auditions
- Dress appropriately – Seems like a basic idea, but for a scare actor audition it can be critical to dress appropriately. Most auditions will have you moving around, and clothing that is restrictive can work against you. Save the scares for the audition; you’re not going to impress anyone wearing a Jason mask while you’re filling out paperwork.