On a crisp autumn evening outside Detroit, actors file into a dim rehearsal space to learn how to terrify without causing panic. Instructors run them through choreography, vocal techniques and, crucially, safety protocols that separate a good scare from a hazard. The result is a fast-paced seasonal workforce that blends theater, combat training and crowd management.

“You don’t just jump out and scream,” said one veteran performer, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It’s about timing, how you move, where the light hits, and how you retreat so guests know it’s pretend. You want their heart racing, not truly harmed.” Managers say months of prep — from honing improvisation to rehearsing emergency responses — are essential because haunted attractions see thousands of visitors across October weekends.

Haunted houses are part of a larger Halloween economy. The National Retail Federation estimated Americans spent roughly $12.1 billion on Halloween-related items in 2023, and immersive attractions draw significant local spending on tickets, food and lodging. For operators, the attraction’s artistic success translates directly into revenue: higher-quality scares can justify premium ticket pricing and repeat business, while lapses in safety or performance can produce costly complaints and lost trust.

Operators also face practical pressures. Rising wages, energy and materials costs have led many venues to tweak pricing and schedules. “We’re hiring more experienced actors this year because training is an investment,” said a general manager at a suburban Michigan haunt. “That raises payroll, but turnover is costly too — so the training pays off in consistent quality and fewer incidents.” Seasonal attractions often provide short-term employment for teens and young adults, supplementing local labor markets and offering skills transferable to hospitality and entertainment careers.

Regulatory oversight shapes training programs as well. Michigan’s safety authorities require clear egress routes, fire suppression access and adherence to local occupancy limits; operators routinely incorporate these constraints into scenography and performer movement plans. Many haunted houses adopt formal de-escalation protocols, “panic” cues for actors and mandatory debriefs after shifts to address worker wellbeing. The emphasis on safety has grown since the pandemic, when venues also added sanitization and crowd-control procedures to reduce transmission risks.

Theatrical craft and technical design have also evolved. Sound design, strobes and scent diffusers now combine with actor choreography to heighten immersion, a trend driven by consumer appetite for experiential entertainment that feels live and unpredictable. Industry observers say that as audiences become savvier, attractions that invest in training and production values gain market share.

Still, the business remains seasonal and sensitive to broader economic swings. If consumers pare discretionary spending during downturns, attractions may see shorter lines and more pressure on margins. For now, though, haunted houses in Michigan are banking on well-drilled performers to convert Halloween curiosity into weekend foot traffic and sustained local economic activity — one well-timed jump scare at a time.