Sacrifice? Or Unexpected Perk?

The actors are well taken care of at Maris Farms Haunted Woods. The powers that be (bosses) circulate throughout the night, bringing us water and handing out throat lozenges. They remind all the actors to stay hydrated, take our vitamins and get enough rest. They provide pizza at the end of a shift, knowing that we will all be supremely hungry after an energy intensive night. They invest in us because they want us to enjoy our experience and make it through the demanding month of performances.

At first I declined throat lozenges, they aren't typically something I gravitate towards. I was concerned that I would either choke/swallow it or inadvertently launch it from my mouth like a projectile at some unsuspecting customer. (I also limited how much water I was drinking once in costume. I keep thinking that a terrific joke might start, "Did you hear the one about the clown in the porta-potty?" But I digress...)

I've since discovered that maniacal laughter takes a toll on my throat and cough drops are my friends. After dress rehearsal on Friday and full-on public performance Saturday I awoke Sunday morning with nearly no voice. I sounded like a de-barked dog or a sea lion with larangitus or a post-event protester. This made communication with my hubby challenging, as he is hearing impaired. Lets just say there were some tense moments throughout the day as I tried to be heard and he tried to hear me.

At one point I whispered, "When I'm doing three and four night performances I will have to be careful and rest my voice. I may not talk at all on the days between performances." My husband quickly replied, "Yeah. That sounds like a good idea." Gee, honey, thanks. Way to take one for the team.

Is this a sacrifice? Or an unexpected perk? I'd like to think it is, perhaps, a bit of both.

Day One: Dress Rehearsal day

Would you say I look open and friendly? Tonight all that is going to change. Starting tonight and running every weekend through October I am working at Maris Farms Haunted Woods. http://www.marisfarmshauntedwoods.com/




Here's the thing: I love to hide and then jump out and scare people. My friends and family were getting a little jumpy and paranoid whenever I was around, so I promised to stop. I've been on hiatus for years now, and the urge is still there.





Imagine my delight when I came across a job listing for being an actor at the Haunted Woods. Though I'm not a huge fan of Halloween I absolutely cannot pass up the chance to scare people who WANT me to jump out and startle them. PLUS I get paid to do it. Score!





Maris Farms Haunted Woods has been operating for 11 years and they continue to be innovators of chills and thrills in the pacific northwest area.





Maris Farms is an amazingly well-run family farm in Buckley, WA. They have events all year 'round. During the day it is a place of interactive fun: pumpkin patch, petting zoo, corn maze, interactive goats and more. It's a family-friendly place with loads to do with the younger kiddos.





The Haunted Woods is geared for kids twelve and up and it is an intense thrill experience from beginning to end. If you like your adrenaline to run and your heart to beat fast, you'll love this scary experience. It takes 45 minutes to reach the end from the time you enter the experience. 45 minutes of heart pounding sights, sounds and thrills.





To say something about the popularity and remarkable reputation of Maris Farms: On the busiest night of the 2010 season, Maris farms had 3300 people visit the Haunted Woods. Security guards are posted throughout the tour - to protect the actors from overly-reactive customers.





Tonight is dress rehearsal. I'll get my makeup on for the first time and see what my costume will be. Family & friends will be sent through the haunted woods as practice victims, er, customers.





It is my intention to tell the stories of my experience for your amusement & entertainment. I'm sure I'll have stories to tell.





I suspect that reality will be quite different from my imagination - it often is. Six hours of boo-time will be intense. From what I'm told by return actors, the clown music may make me a little crazy...that's okay...crazed is what I'm going for.

Until next post...be afraid, be very afraid. Bwa-ha-ha-haaaa!