‘Tens of thousands of scares.’ Meet the Fright Nights actors who love to make you scream
They revel in your nightmares and feed on your screams. Veteran scare actors at Fright Nights, the award-winning haunted attraction that pops up every October at the South Florida Fairgrounds in West Palm Beach, are dedicated to their creepy characters.
By day, they walk among us at the grocery store and gas station. By night, they transform into snarling monsters hell-bent on their macabre mission to make you scream for your life.
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Brave souls may run into these creatures at one of Fright Nights four haunted houses this year: Jed’s Chop Shop, Cutting Edge, Dead of Winter II and Hockley House.
Until then, meet the people behind the makeup.
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Jeremy Schroader
Age: 47
City: Palm Springs
How long have you been involved with Fright Nights? 21 years
What’s your signature character and the inspiration behind it? Mortis. In my normal life, I am drawn to the dark and supernatural side of things. Out of that fascination, Mortis was born. Mortis dwells in the shadows and walks between realms only to antagonize the living.
What’s your favorite memory from working Fright Nights over the years? My favorite memory is creating these crazy environments from nothing. Then, after opening night, watching it all come together with the actors in the sets and hearing the screams of the guests enjoying themselves.
Why do you think people enjoy being scared? I think people enjoy getting scared because it’s a safe temporary escape from reality and it creates lasting memories with friends and family.
What scares you? The one thing that really makes my hair stand on end is heights.
Craig McInnis
Age: 51
City: West Palm Beach
How long have you been involved with Fright Nights? 20 years
What’s your signature character and the inspiration behind it? Eggman. He started as a figment of my first haunted house, The Smiths, a family of psychotic clowns.
What’s your favorite memory from working Fright Nights over the years? It has always been and will continue to be interacting with our fans and getting the scares. Tens of thousands of scares.
Why do you think people enjoy being scared? The adrenaline rush is addictive and facing fears is very satisfying.
What scares you? Being out in the woods at dark.
Brad Cain
Age: 54
City: Greenacres
How long have you been involved with Fright Nights? 21 years
What’s your signature character and the inspiration behind it? Bradley P. Diddle. He is an undereducated carnival ride operator.
What’s your favorite memory from working Fright Nights over the years? The best memory comes every year after the first group goes through the haunt on opening night.
Why do you think people enjoy being scared? I think they just enjoy the rush of adrenaline they experience after the scare.
What scares you? By far, heights and confined spaces are the scariest things to me.
Kelly Goodman
Age: 32
City: Wellington
How long have you been involved with Fright Nights? This will be my 15th season at Fright Nights.
What’s your signature character and the inspiration behind it?My character is Misfit. Inspired by Beetlejuice, and dogs.
What’s your favorite memory from working Fright Nights over the years? I have two favorite memories. In the past, I’ve designed seven haunts. The first haunt I designed (Sunnyville Orphanage), I poured my heart and soul into it. The opening night, experiencing walking through for the first time in full production mode, was pretty overwhelming. Second, while in character I was roaming the front scare zone probably five or six years ago. A group of girls were dancing in front of a sign, which I popped out from behind the stand they were recording a video from. They all completely scattered and it was glorious!
Why do you think people enjoy being scared? It’s a thrill! It’s a release of dopamine. When you’re with friends in this kind of environment, it can definitely be enjoyable! Plus, when one (or more) person in the group gets scared, it’s entertainment for the rest!
What scares you? Anything that has more than four legs and is not an octopus.
Alex Rodriguez
Age: 38
City: Wellington
How long have you been involved with Fright Nights? 21 years
What’s your signature character and the inspiration behind it? Dr. Harry Gooch. I threw pieces of this character together. There wasn’t really an inspiration behind it. I just had this vision for my character in my mind and just went with it. He’s simply a deranged psychopath.
What’s your favorite memory from working Fright Nights over the years? My favorite moment is when I walk into the building and hear nothing but screams
Why do you think people enjoy being scared? People often enjoy being scared because it can provide a unique and controlled adrenaline rush. Experiencing fear in a safe environment, such as watching a horror movie or going on a thrill ride, can be exciting and enjoyable for some people. It’s a way to test their courage and experience intense emotions without real danger. Additionally, the sense of relief that comes after the fear-inducing experience can be rewarding and create a sense of accomplishment.
What scares you? I am afraid of heights.
Fright Nights is open from 6-11 p.m. Thursdays and 6 p.m.-midnight Fridays and Saturdays through Oct. 28 (closed on Oct. 27) at the South Florida Fairgrounds, 9067 Southern Blvd., in West Palm Beach. The haunts open at 7 p.m. Haunt tickets are $40 at myfrightnights.com/frighttickets. Skip the line with an RIP ticket and enter through the private RIP horror lounge with a cash bar and scare photo opportunities for $10 on Thursdays and $15 on Fridays and Saturdays. RIP tickets are limited and sold only on the midway. There’s also live entertainment, scare zones and carnival rides. Food and drinks will be available on the grounds.
Visit myfrightnights.com.
