A suburban Detroit haunted house prepares its scare actors for the Halloween season by sending them to school

Grotesque makeup, menacing props and intimidating costumes are just one part of a Michigan haunted house's 25-year-old formula to terrify guests.

It starts by educating the actors looking to provide the most horrifying experience to its visitors. At Scare School, they learn all the tricks of the trade.

Lessons begin weeks before the four-level walk-through scream factory opens to visitors, introducing fresh talent to the get-ups, face paint and unnatural body movements proven to petrify thousands of customers since the turn of the century.

The actors' report card of sorts is the “Wimp Out Score Board” in Erebus Haunted Attraction's ground-level lobby, tallying the numbers of visitors who flee before making it through all four levels or who join the “wetters, pukers & fainters” total.

And, yes, they really tally it.

The one-time abandoned parking structure in Pontiac consistently lands on lists of the scariest haunted houses in America. Operations managers and brothers Zac and Brad Terebus said the coaching and training performers receive isn’t just about what they wear or how loud they can shout.

“Scare School really comes down to the psychology of fear,” Zac Terebus said. “Fear is not an accident. Fear is an art.”

In the weeks before Erebus opened for the Sept. 19-Nov. 2 Halloween season, managers auditioned and hired dozens of scare actors, then coached them to be as frightening as humanly — or rather, supernaturally — possible.

In an upstairs room in early September, Erebus veterans schooled the newbies on the finer points of zombie shuffling and demon shrieking, walking on stilts and wielding a spiked (plastic) club. The new hires also learned about make-up application, costuming, how to get into their roles and personas as well as rules about interacting with the guests.

It’s all part of an effort to bring out their inner fiend, Brad Terebus said.

“Let’s say they’re a lawyer by day,” he said. “They can come here, break their shell off and just release this monster within them.”

Alan Tucker, who portrays a bloodthirsty clown, said scare acting is “therapeutic.”

“You never really think that you can be something else for a couple hours and scare people. But then when you really actually get to do that, it’s so entertaining. It’s so fulfilling,” said Tucker, who is in his second year as a scare actor.

Renee Piehl is in her third year, this time around playing Nyx, based on the Greek goddess of night, who frightens guests waiting in line to enter the haunt.

“They come here to be scared. It’s Halloween. It’s fun,” she said. “We are to be ugly and scary and bloody.”

Plus, the scarier the actors are, the bigger the numbers will get on the Wimp Out Score Board.

The board currently lists 10,711 “wimps” and 1,246 “wetters, pukers & fainters” both cumulative totals since the Terebuses’ father and uncle opened the attraction.

“What we have throughout the haunted house, we call them ‘chicken exits.’ They’re actually fire exits,” Zac Terebus said. “But, at any point in the show, if you say, ‘I want out,’ we take you out, we escort you down, you end up here in the exit lobby, you can wait for your group to come on out.

“It's a competition among our monsters to see who can really scare the pee out of somebody."

by Mike Householder

Out With Dr. Bill: September In Three Acts

William Kapfer, Eric Baker Photo Credit: William Kapfer

Dr. William Kapfer Oct 7

1 MIN READ

Dr. William Kapfer Oct 7

1 MIN READ

September came and went in a blur of planes, parties, and performances—so much so that I found myself off the grid when it came to writing my column. With a month this packed, one piece simply won’t do it justice. I have so many adventures to share that I’ll need three columns in a row just to cover September.

Instead of spanning coast to coast and across the globe all at once, this edition focuses solely on our London trip—a whirlwind packed with theater, friends, community impact, and unexpected encounters. London deserves its own spotlight, while my next installments will take you back across the pond and on to the rest of September’s adventures in Phoenix, Tucson, Atlanta, and beyond. And with the city in the grip of a tube strike that week, we experienced London above ground—on foot, by bus, and by cab—giving every outing its own sense of adventure and discovery.

From New York to London for Evita’s Last Curtain

Eric and I boarded a red-eye out of Newark—hardly the most reliable airport in the area, but for overnight flights to London, it offers the widest selection. It was the kind of flight where the anticipation of what awaited us across the Atlantic made sleep elusive. After more than a year and a half of commuting back and forth to the UK, we’ve found our rhythm on United’s Polaris service: dinner in the lounge before boarding, just a light snack on the plane, and always saving room for the ice cream sundae cart (extra hot fudge, please). A movie, a sip of Baileys, and a decaf cappuccino set the perfect stage for a little dozing before wheels down in London.

We landed on the morning of September 6th, dropped our bags at the Four Seasons in Mayfair, and went straight to the London Palladium for the closing matinee of Evita. Before the show, we scurried across the street into Hyde Park, taking in the unparalleled views before heading inside.

It was the final day of Rachel Zegler’s dazzling, 12-week summer run, and the atmosphere inside the theater felt electric with anticipation.

The show itself was extraordinary, but the most unforgettable moment came when Zegler stepped outside onto the makeshift balcony—an audacious choice by director Jamie Lloyd that transformed “Don’t Cry for Me Argentina” into a living, breathing moment of history.

From our seats, we watched the livestream of her addressing the masses below; it felt as though we were watching old news footage from the real Casa Rosada, waiting for Evita to emerge and speak directly to “her people.”

The performance inside the Palladium was equally thrilling—the inventive staging stripped away excess and brought raw intensity to the story, with a sleek, modern design that let the music and movement take center stage. The energy on stage was electric, every performer giving their all, and Zegler delivered a performance so powerful and nuanced that it left us both moved and exhilarated.

The audience leapt to its feet in a well-deserved ovation, a perfect send-off to a remarkable run.

Later that evening, Eric and I returned to the theater to be part of the excitement from outside, joining the sea of fans gathered for Zegler’s final balcony scene. The energy was absolutely electric, and as her voice soared into the London night, I felt as if I were part of theater history—witnessing not just a performance, but a bold reimagining of a classic that will be remembered for years to come.

Rupert Street: A London Homecoming

Eric and I pushed ourselves to stay awake that first day and made our way toward Rupert Street Bar to toast our London arrival. Along the walk, we stumbled onto a scene straight out of a Warner Brothers backlot: Miss Bea Haven, the beloved Palm Springs drag performer (Paul Torrigino), resplendent in full Endora-from-Bewitched regalia, chatting with my favorite London talent, Heidi Liscious (Robbie John Dean)

Heidi was a vision—dressed in a light pink camisole with a tulle overlay that created the effect of a high-waisted skirt—her outfit playfully adorned with stuffed Hello Kitty dolls. A matching pink visor perched on her head as if she’d just stepped off the tennis court, while pink sneakers completed the ensemble.

A longtime DJ at Rupert Street and a fixture of the city’s nightlife, Heidi asked us to escort her to the club where she was spinning that evening. And so, the four of us strolled together down the cobblestone street—a riot of color and sparkle, waving to strangers and drawing smiles as we passed. It was an unexpected, joyful moment that made London feel alive and welcoming, even after a sleepless night.

We found ourselves back at Rupert Street several times that week. Its central location, just steps from the Soho Houses we frequent in London, made it an easy choice. The bar itself is relaxed and unpretentious—more neighborhood hangout than high-gloss club—reminding us of the kind of spot we’d happily slip into back home in Chelsea.

Bankside Evenings: Friends, Views, and History

Between work and conference obligations, we also made time to break bread with longtime UK friends, and even one of our besties from New York who was in London for a few months working on scenic design projects. We gathered with four of our favorite London locals—each of whom we’d first met during their stints in New York—for dinner at Adam and David’s new apartment in Bankside, near Elephant and Castle.

The apartment was spacious by London standards, with a palatial deck offering captivating rooftop views. Looking south, you could see Elephant and Castle, while a 360-degree turn revealed the Thames, the Shard—London’s 95-story glass skyscraper and the tallest building in the UK—and the “big three” churches: St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, and Southwark Cathedral.

We grabbed dinner in the neighborhood, where restaurants abound at the base of their building, and then enjoyed dessert in the form of a guided walk from David, who took us through the southeastern edge of medieval London—now firmly in the middle of everything.

Our tour ended at “The Clink,” the notorious medieval prison that operated from 1144 to 1780, before we ducked into a local pub to toast the night.

Catching Up Over Brunch at The Hero

The next day, we met up with two more of our British friends, Dane and Adam, for brunch at The Hero in the Maida Vale/Little Venice area. The pub has two personalities: downstairs, “The Pub” offers a relaxed, casual setting for dining and drinks—where Eric and I grabbed a beer outside and enjoyed the people-watching—while upstairs, the Grill Room serves a more refined menu.

While waiting for the boys to arrive, we were delighted to reconnect with Haben Tesfamariam, who now manages “The Pub.” We first knew Haben from his time at the Chiltern Firehouse, just around the corner from our flat in Marylebone, which unfortunately had to close this past Valentine’s Day after a fire caused by burning wood from the pizza oven. It was wonderful to see that staff from the Firehouse had found new opportunities while repairs are underway.

As for brunch, we did what we do best—over-ordered and over-indulged—but the time together was absolutely worth it. Sharing a meal and catching up with friends you’ve known for years, picking up as if no time has passed, is the truest sign of friendship. The afternoon was simply terrific.

London Moments with Women Who Inspire

In addition to catching up with the London chaps, I was grateful for time with several of my dearest lady friends. A real highlight was spending time with Dame Karen Pierce, the former UK Ambassador to the United States. I’ve known Karen for many years—we first crossed paths at the UN in New York—and I’ve always admired her sharp insight and approachable style.

I also reconnected with Maggie Berry OBE, a great friend since our days in Dublin, when we co-presented on The 30% Club Ireland’s mission of achieving at least 30% gender balance at senior decision-making tables.

I was lucky, too, to see my friend Reshma Sheikh, Managing Director of MSDUK, the UK’s leading supplier diversity organization. Her leadership in inclusive procurement is especially timely with the UK’s new Procurement Act of 2023, which is reshaping opportunities for suppliers of all sizes.

I also spent time with Elizabeth Vazquez, CEO and Co-Founder of WEConnect International. Elizabeth is not only a global leader in women’s economic empowerment, she’s also a very special friend—I’m fortunate to see her often, whether while traveling or back in the States, where I have the honor of serving on her board.

And finally, a friend who always makes me smile is Carla Preston from Amazon; her warm, giving personality makes every moment in her company uplifting.

Sparkle, Sequins, and Chosen Family: Evenings with Scott in London

Although there were many standout moments during our short trip to London, the most special were those spent with our dear friend Scott Pask—a part of our chosen family who, like us, lives in New York but also keeps a home in Arizona. Our evenings together were filled with drinks and dinners, including a night out with our buddy Shen (who I often forget actually lives in London, since we seem to bump into him all over the world), and a visit to Soho House Mews.

The Mews is one of those tucked-away London gems—a members’ club reserved for those who’ve been part of the Soho House family for at least ten years. With its townhouse charm and intimate feel, it offers longtime members and their guests a more secret, hidden side of the Soho House world.

And then there was Scott’s latest show, The Producers, which was one of the most heartwarming and soul-enriching experiences of the trip. We first saw The Producers back in 2001 with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, but the London staging surpassed anything I’d seen before—cleverly staged, perfectly cast, and laugh-out-loud funny.

Scott’s set design tied it all together, playful and inventive in ways that made each scene sparkle. And I mean sparkle quite literally—the costumes were a dazzling riot of sequins, feathers, and over-the-top glamour, from shimmering chorus lines to outrageous character ensembles that had the audience laughing before a single line was spoken.

The True Treasure of Travel: People, Places, and Memories

As I look back on those whirlwind days in London—filled with theater, laughter, long dinners, and the kind of conversations that nourish the soul—I’m reminded of how lucky I am to live a life threaded together by such extraordinary people and places. Each encounter, whether with old friends or unexpected moments of joy on the streets of Soho, reaffirmed for me that the true magic of travel lies not only in the destinations, but in the connections we carry and the memories we create together. September may have been a blur of planes, panels, and parties, but it was also a reminder to pause, savor, and celebrate the beauty of community, wherever in the world we may find it. And with so many more September happenings still to share, this is just the beginning of the story.

by Dr. William Kapfer