It’s 5:30 p.m. on a chilly Friday in October. Senior Colton Anderson arrived at Purgatory Scream Park, where Anderson has worked for the past five years. He’ll be working until about 12:30 a.m., and will do it over again throughout the entire weekend.

Anderson’s not the only student who holds a job at Purgatory, which has employees spanning across all four grades. 

Sophomore Danielle Nalley was recently hired here two weekends ago. She rotates throughout the house playing different characters ranging from a  nurse to a dental patient. Nalley decided to work at Purgatory because of her fear of haunted houses. She thought this would be the way to get over her fear.

Even though she hasn’t been there for long, Nalley enjoys the people and the atmosphere.

“Everyone there is so nice,” Nalley said. “They’re genuinely such nice people. If you need help with your hair they are like, ‘Of course!'”

Sometimes students will recognize Anderson and just laugh at him while he is in his straitjacket costume. Anderson is balances his job with marching band, diving, and schoolwork.

“I tend to juggle everything by being very organized and making sure I have my day planned out right when I wake up to right when I fall asleep,” Anderson said. “I try to have everything planned out for the week Sunday night.”

Along with Anderson, senior AJ Smith started working at Purgatory at the young age of 11. Smith worked there for only one season. Those nights started off around 5:30 p.m. when they check in and get their costumes and makeup done. Makeup takes about 30 minutes then they start their night shift. 

“I wouldn’t get home until 1-ish or 2-ish in the morning,” Smith said. “And then I would do it again the next day.”

Smith found out about auditions to work at Purgatory through Instagram in 2018. They had Smith crawl around on the floor, scream and talk about herself. Then, she got hired. Smith grew up around loving anything horror or scary related. While being younger, coworkers acted differently around her. 

“It was so strange being so young and working with all adults in an environment a little girl wouldn’t necessarily be in,” Smith said. 

Anderson and Smith both have many memories made at The Scream Park. This season Anderson had someone in his room who had a panic attack and he had to break character and help get them out of the haunted house. 

“I get to see my friends go through and get to scare people,” Anderson said. “I find it really fun and exciting.” 

 Purgatory Scream Park is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights until Nov. 2. 

“People complain about the price being $40 but it’s only once a year, so it’s worth it,” Anderson said.