It all started on October 31…
by Bella Garcia
Photos by Erika Hernandez
Welcome to Camp Royce! For quite a few years, the Fresno High Theatre 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 Northside 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.
One of this year’s themes was a haunted summer camp called Camp Royce. Theatre 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 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, 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 at the ticket booth.