On Oct. 25 and 31, the Amador Valley Drama Class is hosting a haunted house at the MPR to raise funds for their program by creating a spooky experience for the community.
“The audience for the haunted house is for anyone from young children to teenagers at PUSD,” said Drama Teacher Hannah Davies.
Haunted Tradition
The AVHS Haunted House is a new annual tradition that has been going on for the past two years. The cost of this experience is $5 per student ticket and chaperones are free. No food or drinks are offered, however there are prizes at the end of the haunted house.
“The Haunted House is actually our primary fundraiser because all our shows cost so much. So haunted house money goes to anything else that we want to do, like going to see other plays or shows,”said Davies.
The conceptualization and planning process takes about three weeks, whereas the actual building process only takes one week. One of the essential parts of the haunted house is the costumed actors who perform jump scares, as well as the spooky lighting effects.
“[My favorite part is] probably the blood smears because it kinda gives the spooky creepy vibes,” said Drama student Rohini Khambholja (‘25).
Experience for All
To make this experience accessible to all, the haunted house offers a “Sensory and child-friendly” version of the Haunted House. This modified version features fewer jump-scares and flashy lights. Another essential feature of the haunted house is the costumed actors who add life to the haunted house.
“The costumes aren’t bad. I am personally wearing a costume I made because it’s going to be gory,” said Khamholja.
Within the Amador drama class. The crew enjoys the building process as well as hosting the entire experience for a community as a unique fundraiser.
“I think the most fun part of the building process comes when you put the lights in, as soon as you get the creepy lighting setup you suddenly remember that it’s a Haunted House and it feels spooky,” shared Davies.
The haunted house is operating from 4:30-6:30 p.m. on Oct. 25, or from 1:30-4:00 p.m. on Oct. 31.
