Searcy, AR. (LP) — It is the month of October and it’s time for some scares. October means different things to different people; depending on who you are. To some people, it’s just another month in the year. To others, mostly small children, they see it as the month full of spooks, scares, and candy. Many celebrate Halloween, and to celebrate, they going trick or treating or to a few haunted houses. There are many haunted houses that people can pay to get in. Some notable ones in Arkansas are Boo at the Zoo or Fear Factory. Some of these places can be very pricey depending on how big the event is, but they are usually very enjoyable. There is one close to home though and it’s right at school.
The drama class at Searcy High School hosts it’s very own Halloween event. It’s called Haunted Theater and it is performed every year at the end of October. It has been going on since 2016 and it has had a different theme each year. This years theme is “Grimm Fairy Tales.” The last few years themes were “Mortuary,” “Toxic Spill,” and “H.H. Holmes Haunted Hotel.” It takes place at the Searcy High PAC on October 28th and 31st. The admission is very good at a low price of $5 or 5 cans of food.
The Haunted Theater might not take as long as the other drama productions, but it still takes time and effort. “We have meetings once a week in September and meet up until the week of Haunted Theater. Students can also come by after school to work on set for Haunted Theater,” says SHS drama teacher, Mandy Taylor. Every Wednesday meeting begins at 7:40 am, and they talk about the roles and jobs everybody has. They discuss what will happen and they ask questions. This helps them better understand what’s happening. If it has been going on 4 years, it must be good right? “Yes, students come back year after year to either perform in or go through our haunted theater,” says Ms. Taylor. The week of Haunted Theater, they have the hosts go through the production. After that, they critique the show so they can give their best performances.
Haunted Theater is happening next week, on Oct. 29th and 31st. If you’re not doing anything, or just want a few scares, go on down to the PAC center and have a good time. Take some friends or family. It won’t take long depending on how scared you are!
