I was just reminiscing on my nights of haunting, remembering the times when the edible blood would make its rounds to bloody people up before the show. During those times, I was part of the vampire group of the haunt; so naturally, our group gravitated to the edible blood and playfully drizzled it in and around our mouths partly to get into character but also because it tasted really good. This memory sparked an idea that I'd like to share for all the current haunters because it really did help us get the feel of being a vampire who enjoys devouring the sweet nectar of the vein.
All haunters need snacks, right? Energy and enthusiasm can get a bit sparse a few hours in, and having an in-character snack nearby would really help keep that energy focused and bright. My idea is to get to know your character intimately enough to know what creepy thing they enjoy ingesting, as every creature of the night must feed its gut, and it's usually with something that terrifies and captivates. Werewolves, for example, could bring jerky or steak tips to be gnawing on. Vampires could bring cherries, strawberries, or their respective syrups. Mental patients could bring tictacs, so it feels like they're "taking their meds", even though the meds don't work--they're too crazy!
This is a fun idea because it not only involves eating, it also encourages creative freedom from one actor to another. It's a good way to stay active, awake, and nourished while doing what we do best, which is scare the piss out of the customer.
So, who's your character, and what creepy item might they be snacking on to incite fear?
