6 minute read
Scarywood
Cameron Dietz, 25, computer science, Riverside, Calif., blacks out his teeth in preparation for a night at Scarywood as Sparky the Clown. Several other NIC students prowl the park as creatures.
Creatures of NIght, brought to light
Kaye Thornbrugh Managing Editor Photos by Ethan Schlussler
Jesus Nunez gives new meaning to the phrase “odd job.” He works in a swamp that teems with lizard women and animatronic frights. Beyond the butcher shop, past the crowd of feasting cannibals, near the crackling electric room where victims fry—that’s where you’ll find him. It’s a fifteen-minute tour of terror. Guests only visit Nunez’s domain for about thirty seconds, but he always makes an impression. He’s the Man with the Pipe—a scarred, growling creature, one of the numerous performers working at Scarywood Haunted Nights—and he loves it. “I get paid to scare people,” said Nunez, 21, biology, Cartagena, Colombia. “It’s awesome.” Nunez initially auditioned to be a clown at Scarywood, Silverwood Theme Park’s twisted counterpart that exists only at night in October. He ended up in Blood Bayou. “Not to brag,” Nunez said, with a sly grin, “but it’s the most popular haunt.” While he might not be the most physically imposing person around, Nunez said, his costume helps in that department: His jumpsuit, makeup and mask give him an instant air of menace. Stuttering strobe lights turn his haunt into a surreal netherworld, adding to the effect. But the scares don’t just come from Nunez’s surroundings. His guttural growls, wide-eyed stares
and head movements are what really sell and head movements are what really sell the scare. If guests could glimpse Nunez between If guests could glimpse Nunez between groups, they’d be surprised. When he has groups, they’d be surprised. When he has no one to scare, Nunez occupies himself no one to scare, Nunez occupies himself by practicing sign language and dancing by practicing sign language and dancing around with his pipe, twirling it like a cane. around with his pipe, twirling it like a cane. Nunez said that Scarywood performers have some training sessions, though they don’t focus on how to terrorize guests. they don’t focus on how to terrorize guests. Instead, they learn how to avoid getting inInstead, they learn how to avoid getting injured by frightened, flailing guests. It was during the “dry run” week before Scarywood opened to the public that Nunez started discovering the persona of the Man with the Pipe. Employees from one half of the park visited the haunts of the other half, and vice versa, sampling the scares and practicing their technique. As for his technique, Nunez says that he just “wings it.” “I just kind of switch it on,” he said. “‘Time to be scary.’ That’s all I think.” Scarywood performers are told to keep their eyes peeled for “suspicious behavior,” Nunez said—people who appear to be drunk, or who look like they might become violent. But the guests sometimes surprise him. “I’ve learned not to judge people,” Nunez said. “Sometimes it’s the opposite of what you expect. The people you think are nice can be the rudest.” Scarywood Haunted Nights was scheduled to close Oct. 27, but, due to popular demand, will remain open Nov. 2 and 3. For more information, visit www.scarywoodhaunt.com.
Kyra Willette, 19, general studies, Rathdrum, awaits the finishing touches on her makeup. Her clown persona is named Daisy.
Jesus Nunez, 21, biology, Cartagena, Colombia, walks the night as the Man with the Pipe.
Bryce Woempner, 18, engineering, Rathdrum, lulls guests into a false sense of security by remaining perfectly still, then suddenly leaping to life.
