Maryland Murder-Mystery Business Moves Online During Pandemic
COLUMBIA, MD — Before the coronavirus pandemic invaded people's lives, entrepreneur Wendy Olenik had a thriving business focusing on team building and murder mysteries. She crafted the storylines from different decades and for various themes, such as the Malt Shoppe Murder from the '50s and Wanted Dead or Alive with a Wild West theme. But when the coronavirus restrictions took effect, there were no more in-person adventures for Olenik and her clients.
Olenik started her business in 2005. It was the perfect adventure for her with a master's degree in business administration and a minor in theater.
"The two were a good mix for a theater business. I love to make people laugh and my mysteries are always a comedy," Olenik told Patch.
Knowing that people needed her type of business offering even during a pandemic, Olenik switched to an online format, inspired by a customer.
"A customer wanted to host an online party. It was originally planned for their home but canceled due to COVID. They had been to a Whodunnit Party live in Annapolis at Latitude 38 and loved it. They said they'd be excited to be the first virtual mystery and work with me to iron out any kinks. If memory serves me, there were 50 or so folks from all over Maryland attending online. Since then I've done virtual mysteries with guests from all over the world. I did a private event for Johns Hopkins Alumni, as well as the Wounded Warriors," Olenik said.
So far, her virtual mysteries have gone quite well.
"I was nervous about putting the event online. Like all entertainers, COVID shut me down. I take great pride in being able to say that my events are interactive and engaging. But the first one was a hit and the feedback has been fabulous. It is surprising how folks from all over the world can play together. It definitely feels like we are all in the same room. Very cool, indeed," she said.
Moving the murder mysteries online took a tiny bit of tweaking to accommodate to the online format, but they're quite similar to the in-person format. Everyone logs into Zoom and within the first 10 minutes, someone "stumbles in and dies."
"You are told the place is a crime scene and asked to search for clues and interrogate suspects. You are put into groups with other detectives so that you can exchange ideas. You have the opportunity to ask questions of the suspects. The event is live. Once the mystery has been solved, I keep the connection open so that you may continue to chat and catch up with family and friends. Assuming your family is participating from all over the world, this is pretty cool. The activity takes 75 minutes and you have the opportunity of being a suspect as well. Doing so means you'll be giving out clues and throwing suspicion on another suspect," Olenik explained.
Learn more about Whodunnit for Hire, visit https://virtualmystery.eventbrite.com or https://privatevirtualmystery.eventbrite.com.
This article originally appeared on the Columbia Patch
