When it comes to the scary season of Halloween, two Southern students step into characters and into action.
Draven Dabrowski and Julio Merced bring to life the thrills of the season to entertain visitors.
Merced, a sophomore finance major, and Dabrowski, a freshman journalism major, both discovered scare acting almost by accident.
For Merced, the journey began out of necessity rather than curiosity.
“Last year, I was in a cast and couldn’t work for the entire fall,” Merced says. His father, who works at Stamford Town Center, connected him with the event coordinator for the mall’s seasonal haunted event called “Blood Manor.”
What started as a quick solution to make some extra money became something deeper. Over time, Merced says he fell in love with scare acting and decided to continue doing it this year.
Dabrowski’s path to the haunted house business began much earlier.
“Back in 2019, one of my sister’s friends told us there were auditions for a haunted house,” he says. “I was only 13 and didn’t think I’d get in because I was so nervous, but I did.”
Since then, Dabrowski has returned every year to “Haunt on Eden” in Southington.
“I thought it would just be something fun to do, but now I love it,” he says. “I look forward to it every year.”
Neither Merced nor Dabrowski had any acting or theater experience before stepping into their first haunted roles. What they lacked in training, they made up for in creativity and commitment.
Merced plays a deranged hospital patient addicted to painkillers, a character trapped in a constant state of psychosis.
“I’m very loud, energetic and persistent,” he says. “Loud noises bother me, so I’ll even yell at the animatronics to shut up.”
His props include pliers and metal sheets disguised as part of his costume, which he uses to create realistic stunts.
“They help me make noise and make it look like I’m hitting my head against the wall,” he says. “It’s all about selling the performance.”
Dabrowski’s character, BoBo the Clown, operates in a more playful, but equally unsettling space.
“BoBo is a comical guy who makes a lot of jokes, but he can also be mysterious,” he says. “He keeps people on their toes.”
He performs both inside and outside the attraction, scaring guests as they wait in line or make their way in.
“It’s fun because I get to interact directly with people before they even enter,” Dabrowski says. “It sets the tone for the whole experience.”
Preparation is an essential part of both actors’ routines, though their methods differ. Merced prefers quiet isolation before his shift.
“My character has horrible social cues, worse than me normally. So, I just try not to talk to anyone until I’m in my section.”
Dabrowski’s process involves energy and transformation.
“I black out my eyes, put on my mask, and smear fake blood all over my hands and costume,” he says. “Then I load up on candy or energy drinks to really get into that ‘bouncing off the walls’ effect.”
Their experiences in the haunt have led to unforgettable moments. Merced recalls scaring his own father, who didn’t recognize him during a walkthrough.
“He was my best scare,” Merced says.
“I got him good.”
Dabrowski remembers two standout experiences—one hilarious, one heartfelt.
“A guy twice my size came in and peed himself when I scared him,” he says. “I broke character because I never thought that would happen.”
The other was a reminder of how much his work means to people who return each year.
“Last year, someone told me they love coming to the haunt every year just to see my character,” Dabrowski says. “It was heartwarming to know the effort I put in made someone’s night better.”
Balancing the life of a student and a scare actor is no small task. Merced often uses downtime before opening to focus on homework. He has a two-hour break between shifts, which he uses to complete schoolwork.
His schedule can be grueling, with late-night drives between New Haven and Stamford.
“I get home around 11, or closer to
1 a.m. as Halloween gets closer,” he says. “It definitely affects my sleep, but it’s worth it.”
Dabrowski, who is the sports writer for Southern News, manages his time by front-loading his academic responsibilities.
“I just make sure to get all my work done before Friday,” he says. “Working at the haunted house doesn’t affect my studies or sleep since it’s only two nights a week.”
Both students have found that scare acting unexpectedly benefits their future careers.
Dabrowski says it has helped him become more confident when speaking with strangers.
“For journalism, I have to interview people all the time,” he says. “At the haunt, I talk to so many different people, and it’s helped me relax and communicate better.”
Merced agrees that the work builds transferable skills.
“You have to think on your feet,” he says. “The scripts can get boring, and sometimes people don’t react how you expect, so you learn to improvise. That’s useful in interviews and everyday life.”
Behind the screams, there is a surprising level of teamwork and organization. Dabrowski describes the coordination required to keep the haunt running smoothly.
“There’s a lot of communication between people with earpieces and actors in different scenes,” he says. “We even have a code word in case something goes wrong. This year it’s ‘sunchips.’”
Both credit the camaraderie among the cast and crew for keeping morale high.
“We bounce off each other’s energy,” Dabrowski says. “We’re either screaming, singing along to the music, or hyped up on candy and energy drinks. It’s just a fun environment.”
Safety remains a top priority in both attractions. Dabrowski explains that physical contact with guests is limited.
“We don’t touch patrons unless they want a high-five or a hug. We also make sure all the doorways and walkways are clear before opening.”
Merced adds that because he uses props, he takes extra precautions.
“I make sure everything I hold is sturdy and tied to my wrist,” he says. “It’s about being safe and professional.”
Both students say working in haunted attractions has changed how they view performance and the people who seek out scares.
“There’s a lot of pressure,” Merced says. “Each group has a time limit. Too short, and it’s not scary. Too long, and it gets boring. You have to find balance.”
Dabrowski believes the guests are drawn to the rush.
“It’s adrenaline. Some come because they love being scared, and others come just to watch their friends freak out. Everyone’s there to have a good time.”
Despite the late nights, loud noises and long hours, both Merced and Dabrowski agree the job is worth every scream.
“It’s great for students who dorm or need extra cash,” Merced says. “The only challenge is fitting it around classes.”
Dabrowski encourages others to give it a try.
“I can’t express enough how fun it is. You can have a rough week at school and go to work at a haunted house to get all that stress out by scaring people. It’s a blast,” Dabrowski says.
His advice for newcomers is simple: “Let loose and have fun with it,” he says. “That’s what scare acting is all about.”
Merced offers his own take, saying “if you wouldn’t fear yourself in the haunt, there’s always more to do.”
