Being a scare actor, from an outsider’s perspective, can look like a cakewalk as far as jobs go. You show up, put on some makeup and a scary costume, terrify the general public for a few hours, and then go home.
But what does it really take to become a monster at one of the highest-rated and scariest haunted attractions in the Carolinas?
Dedication. Perseverance. Training. And a willingness to become something bigger than yourself.
Becoming a scare actor at Woods of Terror starts with the drive and desire to become part of something bigger. The process begins by applying through our application platform, Sithon. From there, our Acting Directors will reach out with everything you need to know before you ever set foot on the property, including what to expect on your first day of training.
Training: Where the Monster Begins
The most important thing you can do is show up for training. Training days at Woods of Terror are always a mix of fun, energy, teamwork, and hard work. We start by introducing everyone, getting warmed up, and then diving headfirst into circuit training where we begin teaching you the art of scare acting. Because being a professional scare actor is about so much more than jumping out and yelling “boo.” In fact, you won’t hear our monsters saying “boo” at all.
There is a science behind the scare: the timing, dialogue, body language, movement, pacing, facial expressions, and even the smallest details of your performance. Every movement has a purpose. Every interaction with a guest is an opportunity to create an experience they’ll remember. People outside of the haunted attraction industry would probably be surprised to see just how much work goes into creating a great scare. And at Woods of Terror, that training doesn’t stop when the season ends. We train year-round because we hold our monsters to the highest standard imaginable.
Auditions: Finding Your Place in the Woods
Once training is underway, it’s time for auditions, and for many of our actors, this is probably the scariest part of the entire process.
Actors come in one at a time in front of a panel of judges. We work with each person to see their strengths, personality, performance style, and where they would fit best within the Woods.
It’s a long process for management, but we take it incredibly seriously.
Woods of Terror is an actor-driven haunt, which means our monsters are the heart of the experience. We want every house filled with performers who can bring their characters to life, work with their fellow actors, and deliver the kind of performance our guests have come to expect.
From Audition to Character
Once auditions are complete and every monster has been placed, the hard work continues. Actors begin training inside the houses where they’ve been assigned. This gives them the opportunity to become comfortable with their scenes, learn their characters, build chemistry with their scene partners, and work through any challenges before opening night. We don’t just throw you into a scene and tell you to scare people.
Dress Rehearsal: Bringing It All to Life
Then comes one of the biggest moments of the year: full dress rehearsal.
Our acting, makeup, and costume departments come together for a complete mock pre-show. For the first time, our monsters step into their full costumes and makeup, and the Woods comes alive as it will for our guests. It’s also the first time management and the owners get to see the entire show come together. This is our opportunity to catch anything that needs to be adjusted, from acting and makeup to costumes, scenes, timing, and everything in between, before the gates officially open.
And Then… We Open the Gates.
After months of training, auditions, rehearsals, character development, makeup, costumes, construction, and countless hours behind the scenes, the moment finally arrives.
Opening night.
The lights come on.
The music starts.
The gates open.
And the monsters come out.
That’s when all of the hard work finally pays off.
Because being a scare actor isn’t just about putting on a costume and scaring someone; it’s about becoming a character. It’s about working as a team. It’s about pushing yourself outside of your comfort zone and learning how to create an experience that stays with a guest long after they leave.
You’re not simply clocking in for a shift.
You’re stepping into the Woods.
And once you do, you become part of something bigger than yourself, a family of performers who spend an entire year preparing for a few unforgettable weeks when we get to unleash the monsters we’ve worked so hard to create.
So the next time you walk through the gates of Woods of Terror and a monster comes out of the darkness, remember:
You’re not just seeing someone in a costume.
You’re seeing the result of months of dedication, training, teamwork, sacrifice, and passion.
You’re seeing a scare actor.
And that monster didn’t happen overnight.
