"Haunted House Hecklers"

[wendyzski]

story in the Tribune online today about how much crap (and physical abuse) haunt performers get.

I sent the reporter an e-mail thanking him for writing it.

For the record, in 8 seasons of haunt performing, I was set afire twice, and had to deal with attempts to punch grab grope kick or otherwise physically assault me on a daily and sometimes hourly basis. unclevlad put himself between me and a patron with a rock and ended up with months of physical therapy for it. The rest of our security will swear till their dying day that the patron who climbed up on the parade float after me was simply unlucky enough to get in the way of an elaborate dance move - when I circle-kicked him in the chest. And don't get me started on the patron who actually showed up with a taser the first season I was there...

But in the end it wasn't that that ruined things for me. I learned to take care of myself. My last season as a performer I made bloody sure my costume had a staff as a prop, and it came in VERY handy more than once. And I always worked my people in pairs and trios for safety (and because it makes for a good scare tactic). But it was having to watch people that I was responsible for - as a director and team lead - taking that kind of abuse and being utterly unable to do anything about it - that was too much for me. Watching the thrill and excitement in their eyes get beaten down, watching them get hurt...I couldn't handle it.

It wasn't always like that. The first few years we were able to bring our own security. We looked out for each other. I will never forget the people that I worked these shows with. We literally went through hell together. One of my most precious memories will always be of the year that I ran Mayhem Manor, the small House over near the Demon roller coaster. I have always been about safety for my people, and this got me into a lot of trouble with management over the years. Plus I had a really great team that season - most of them were a bunch of LARPers. Eventually the House Designer went to management and got me fired. I cried but I left. Well, apparently as soon as this happened, word got around and my ENTIRE TEAM went to management and told them that they'd walk if I wasn't brought back. The next weekend when I walked back in to the House for morning meeting I was in tears. I will never forget that these people put their jobs on the line for me because of what I did for them.

But it was a hint that support from above could no longer be counted on, and I only made one more season. Management had stopped going to bat for us, and we were even told that we weren't allowed to even TELL the new people about the dangers they might face. Sorry - no dice. So I left and never looked back.

I miss working haunts. When you get down to it,wetting paid to make people wet themselves is pretty awesome. And I was GOOD at it - without speaking a word I was able (with careful timing of movements) to cause patrons to walk into bridge supports or fall over trash cans on a regular basis. But it's not innocent fun any more.

Comments

[stormdog.livejournal.com]

I guess I can see that. I can also see a bunch of people being arrested on assault charges. When you go to a place expecting scary things to happen to you, you should be fully responsible for your actions when you get scared.

Like any power and control game, you shouldn't participate if you aren't mentally up to it and willing to be responsible for yourself.

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

Oh I agree. And I wish we could have the bastards arrested. See my note above about getting no support from the park or from our own management.

Rileybear67 was in my Mayhem Manor crew and worked there a couple of seasons - she can tell you what it can be like.

[stormdog.livejournal.com]

That's pretty horrendous. I'm sorry. I wouldn't work there either.

[jcw-da-dmg.livejournal.com]

I worked there once. ONCE.

[rileybear67.livejournal.com]

Uhm - yeah!
Nuthin' like getting punched in the face and then told "my dad's a lawyer, you'd better not say anything!" I always hated that first weekend!

While the first few years were great - the scares and the excitement made the lack of pay (we were designated as office furniture so management didn't have to pay wage taxes) seem inconsiquential.

Then we were told, not only were we not allowed to even defend ourselves, but that we were not to scare people - we were supposed to be atmosphere! PSHT! Once that edict came down, that's when the real shite started because the PARK told the patrons that we were not allowed to do anything to them, but extracted no such promise in return.

*wistful sigh* I still miss it sometimes though...

[wendyzski.livejournal.com]

Yeah - like I said. The first few years were hard work but fun.

I kept going one year after it stopped being fun, and then gave up.