It’s alive! SBCT presents ‘House of Frankenstein’
Published 9:57 am Thursday, October 2, 2014
The former offices of the South Bend Civic Theatre have been transformed into a haunted house just in time for the Halloween season. (Photo by Nick Shelton; graphic design by Cricket Nelson)
SOUTH BEND, Ind. — It’s alive! It’s alive! Michiana residents have something to be afraid of in South Bend.
Starting on Saturday, Oct. 11, folks who are fearless enough to enter can visit the South Bend Civic Theatre (SBCT) as they present the ‘House of Frightenstein,’ an electrifying haunted house extravaganza.
The idea to create the haunted house came about when the SBCT moved its offices to a new building, leaving their spooky ex-office building vacant. The building, which is actually scheduled to be razed by the city, sets the perfect scene for a haunted house.
“It’s a creepy old house,” said Tracie Lukasiewicz, SBCT Audience Development Manager. “We asked (the city) to hold off on demolition so we could do this.”
(Leader photo/NICK SHELTON)
In March, Lukasiewicz and another co-worker attended a haunted house convention in St. Louis where they participated in workshops and learned how to build haunted houses.
“We knew it was going to be a big project, and it has been a big project, but we’re excited,” Lukasiewicz said.
Since their return, more than 100 volunteers from the community have racked up more than 885 two-hour shifts to design the rooms, plan the story and construct the haunted house.
Unlike a traditional haunted house, the SBCT’s version naturally weaves in a theatrical element.
“It’s a haunted house, but it’s more than that,” Lukasiewicz said. “It’s more of a theatrical, immersive experience that goes through the mind and memories of Victor Frankenstein.”
Lukasiewicz said the haunted house goes along with the SBCT’s stage production of “Frankenstein” which was written by a local playwright.
“It’s tied into what we’re doing on stage, but it’s different because we are being a little more loose with the original story,” Lukasiewicz said..
Josh Napierkowski, another SBCT employee, discussed the dynamic of the haunted house.
“What sets this apart from a typical haunted house is that you’re led through by an actor who tells you the story as it is acted out within the walls of the home. You’re put right in the middle of the story,” he said.
Event goers can expect to be scared witless as they are taken through the cobweb covered, blood soaked, brain-in-jar filled haunted house.
Each guided tour lasts about 10 minutes. Tickets are $10 in advance and $15 at the door. The haunted house is located at 211 W. Madison, directly behind the SBCT.
For more informtation including haunted house dates and to purchase tickets, visit http://sbcthauntedhouse.weebly.com/
