He is an escaped gorilla, hiding behind a pile of tires and scaring trail-goers who pass by.
When one of his professors suggested that he volunteer as a character part for Camp Alexander’s Haunted Trail, Derek Richardson, junior recreational major, did not know what part he would get.
He ended up getting a role that he said he fit right into and was entertaining for him to play. The escaped gorilla character was a recommendation that he “just chose to go with, because it seemed like a lot of fun.”
Richardson volunteered at Camp Alexander in 2010 and that the Haunted Trails, but this was his first time playing a character at the event.
“We just show up and run with the story we come up with that night,” said Justin Rahe, sophomore communication major and Haunted Trail volunteer. “It’s a unique experience, mixing improv and storytelling.”
Austin Schopper, senior secondary English education major, Haunted Trail volunteer and a former staff writer for The Bulletin, said that when it comes to the storytelling, they just go over it about 15 minutes before the trail actually opens.
Each night’s story depends on what Camp Alexander has on the trail.
“We just get a lot of ideas, and it just kind of comes to us,” Richardson said.
A fun experience comes out of the Haunted because the volunteers Richardson works with make it exciting for trail-goers, as well as the other volunteers.
“I have a really good group of people to work with,” Richardson said. “If you’ve got a good group of people, it’s easier for you to figure out what to do.”
The box car and bus are the main attraction of the trail, but the appearance of the Box Car Willie character and aliens are what give the trail a unique quality.
“There’s someone who hides in the box car (and) pretends to chase people out with a fake chainsaw,” Richardson said. “It’s actually just a leaf blower. That whole part is almost pitch black, and I don’t think there are any lights on the bus either, but it’s just light enough for you to see the silhouettes.”
The first few groups are test groups, and if they think it’s “lame,” scarers will amp it up, Schopper said.
The Haunted Trail would have closed its season last night, but they closed two days early due to muddy conditions.
