Students, faculty and alumni at Brookdale Community College are preparing for the 15th anniversary of an annual attraction for those in the Halloween spirit or who just enjoy a good thrill.
Featured at Brookdale’s Lincroft campus, 765 Newman Springs Road, is Haunted Theater, which takes place in the college’s Performing Arts Center (PAC) building and sees various room and sections of the building become a haunted attraction.
“Haunted Theater gets you into the fall season and Halloween,” said Gina Ziegler, the PAC Box Office assistant.
The attraction runs on Oct. 13-14, 20-21 and 27-28 from 7-10:30 p.m and Oct. 15, 22 and 29 from 7-9:30 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, Brookdale staff and alumni, $8 for guests under 17 and $5 for current Brookdale students with ID. For younger guests, Haunted Theater has scare-free kids tours, which run on Oct. 29 and 30 from 2-4 p.m. and have an admission price of $5.
Parking is provided in lots 1 and 2 and signs will direct guests to these lots.
Now in its 15th production, Haunted Theater is designed and operated by Brookdale staff, students, alumni and other volunteer participants. Those involved with the attraction conceptualize and construct the rooms, provide make-up and other special effects, and/or portray the various characters and creatures encountered by guests.
More than 100 individuals have participated in past productions and anyone over 14 years of age may audition for Haunted Theater.
Auditions for actors will take place on Sept. 20- 21 at 5 p.m. and Sept. 20-21 at 7 p.m. For dancers, the auditions will occur on Sept. 19-20 at 8 p.m. All auditions will be held in Room 101 of the PAC. Arriving early is recommended as all participants must complete an audition sheet.
Each incarnation of Haunted Theater features a different theme, with past productions focusing on fairy tales, death, phobias, the apocalypse, condemnation and in some years, no theme at all. The theme of this year’s attraction is “Never-Ending Nightmare”.
“In recognition of the Haunted Theater’s 15th anniversary, we have created all new sets, all new monsters and the longest and most immersive experience we have ever offered,” said PAC coordinator Sherri Vanderspiegel. “This is one haunted attraction you do not want to miss.
“I think what makes Haunted Theater appealing is that it changes from year to year,” Vanderspiegel said. “It’s never the same. There’s a different theme and different rooms that are all designed, built, run and acted by current Brookdale students and alumni.”
Those who wish to participate in Haunted Theater may also call 732-224-2411 or email brookdalehauntedtheater@gmail.com.
