Boulder High Haunted House “Shipwreck of Souls” Opens This Weekend

UPDATE: Boulder High School’s highly anticipated haunted house, “Shipwreck of Souls,” is set to open this weekend, promising thrills and chills for all brave enough to enter. This immersive Halloween experience runs from 7 PM to 10 PM on October 28, 2023, and from 6 PM to 9 PM on October 31, 2023, with a special “lights on” version that caters to younger guests at 6 PM on Saturday.

As Halloween approaches, excitement surrounds the theater department’s annual haunted house, designed and executed by students. Co-director Mads Cass, a junior at Boulder High, expressed the passion behind the production: “You can tell that a lot of work and a lot of love was put into it.” This year, approximately 40 actors collaborate on a chilling narrative set aboard a sunken cruise ship, complete with gory sea creatures and eerie soundscapes.

Technical director Paul Mealey, who has deep ties to the haunted house tradition, emphasized the importance of the experience, stating, “The goal is just to make smiles happen — and some screams.” The interactive nature of the haunted house ensures visitors are not just spectators but participants in the terrifying tale of the ocean’s depths.

The unique theme of “Shipwreck of Souls” was inspired by co-director Scarlett Caste‘s fear of fish, leading students to create an underwater nightmare set in the 1920s. Guests will navigate rooms resembling a casino and a ballroom, all designed to evoke the eerie ambiance of a long-lost vessel. To enhance the experience, students have crafted intricate details like barnacles, seaweed, and tentacles, transforming the school’s hallways into a haunting maritime graveyard.

As visitors walk through, they will encounter actors outfitted as grotesque sea creatures, complete with wet-looking hair and latex gills. Makeup head Odalis Torres stated, “There’s blood in everything,” ensuring that every corner of the haunted house contributes to the spine-chilling atmosphere.

Guests’ reactions vary from screams to laughter, according to senior Darin Williams, who has experienced the spectrum of emotions firsthand while serving drinks as a bartender in the ship’s speakeasy. “You can tell they’re still scared,” he noted, highlighting the effective fright that “Shipwreck of Souls” delivers.

Tickets for this thrilling haunted experience can be purchased at tinyurl.com/3ktx638r or at the door, with proceeds supporting the Boulder High theater department. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience a fresh fright—“Shipwreck of Souls” promises to be an unforgettable Halloween adventure.

Expect to see a blend of creativity and terror that will keep audiences engaged and entertained. With the haunted house opening just days away, the anticipation is palpable. Grab your tickets now and prepare for a dive into the depths of fear!