Horrortorium Fall 2022

Welcome to Camp Royce!

By Bella Garcia

! For quite a few years, the Fresno High Drama class, advised by teacher Julie Pullinger, presents the Horror-Torrium at the end of October during lunchtime. 4-year Play and Production student, Fina Vander-Poel describes the event as a haunted house here at Fresno High School. The spooky walk-through takes place in the centerpiece of the school, Royce Hall. To get in, students must pay two dollars per ticket at the North Side entrance near the cafeteria doors. Participants walk across the stage and down the stairs into Royce Hall’s basement where they are scared scream-less.

 This year’s theme was a haunted summer camp called Camp Royce. Drama students were given the opportunity to experiment with gory theatre makeup including fake bruises and blood. To build the summer camp setting, the class was separated into three groups and were given the choice to choose their set’s story based on the theme. Fina’s set was based on a camp check-in area with a wicked twist, a murderer lurks through the campsite! The other two sets were a witch’s lair including a human sacrifice and The Doll’s House.

Participants were led through the haunted walk by a theatre volunteer. Inside the red and white strobe lights, and the purple and orange stage lighting, clumped suspense, and anxiety together to create a thrilling Halloween activity. Characters jump-scared participants and chased them down through the basement. Blood-curdling screams could be heard from the ticket booth.

If you’re interested in participating in the Horror-Torium, talk to your counselor about joining Theatre! Students had a really good time participating in the fun. Vander Poel stated that her class is proud of the outcome because they scared many students, and everyone tried their best. “I did lose my voice from all the screaming I did though…” she added.