GRANT CASILLAS

It’s dark, cold, and spooky in the cluttered room you’re in. Despite the screams heard in the background, you unknowingly face the wraith that’s about to unfold in front of you. It seems calm but then a heavy feeling is weighted on your shoulder, sending chills down your spine. Goose bumps emerge seeing the barely visible creature invading your personal space and in a split second, you are screaming until your ears go numb.

But who are these people who scare? You may think that they are sadistic people who seek and gain satisfaction. However, IB senior Grant Casillias has his own reasons. His scare-acting work is nonpro table, and while it does spark as an opportunity for CAS hours, he doesn’t take advantage of it because he enjoys the thrill of the hobby itself. “I hold scare acting to a degree...It’s creative arts,” he said.

hobby of volunteering for scare-acting. Scare acting is when haunted attractions feature the live entertainment of actors whose sole purpose is to engage and scare their audiences.

Haunted Trail, a haunted house attraction located in Plant City. scary events for all holidays besides Halloween such as Valentine’s Day and Christma His whole scareacting experience was born there, and he still remains in ties to the community. Since then, for 5 years and counting, he has participated in all attractions for the seasons.

While it may sound easy to intimidate and raise fear among people, there are multiple techniques and preparations before going into character. He given the freedom to act out in any way he nds t. Casillias says, “When I get there, I’m me...But as soon as I put on the costume, I can no longer think like me.”

Besides his scare acting hobby, Casillias has been a part of Hillsborough’s theater program, working behind the scenes as a crew member. He expresses that it’s very di erent from scare-acting because of the limitations and experience. “Scare acting is the only time I’ll willingly get myself in front of people,” he said. It gives him a sense of freedom.

Perhaps the most memorable part about being a scare actor is the people’s reactions. Some being so frightened, noisy, cheeky, funny, and rarely nonchalant. Casillias is not concerned with the expectations of reactions he receives. He enjoys to his scare-acting future.