Scared Smart: What Students Learn from Haunting a Theater

Every October, JDS Creative Academy transforms into something spectacular — and a little spooky. The Haunted Studio isn’t just a community favorite; it’s also one of the most hands-on learning experiences our students get all year. Behind every eerie light flicker, ghostly scream, and fog-filled hallway is a creative crew of learners turning Halloween fun into real-world skill-building.

👻 Lights, Camera… Fright!

Haunting a theater takes more than fake cobwebs and jump scares. Students in our technical theater and production programs learn to design lighting that tells a story — from the glow of a mysterious lantern to the sudden flash that makes hearts race. They experiment with sound design, exploring how pitch, echo, and timing can transform an ordinary space into a chilling atmosphere.

What’s most exciting? They’re not just following instructions; they’re creating. Students learn to problem-solve in real time, adapt to unexpected changes, and collaborate across departments — exactly the kind of teamwork it takes to work in professional stage or film production.

🎭 Storytelling Through Spooks

At its core, the Haunted Studio is a storytelling exercise. Students work together to create characters, write scenes, and guide guests through an interactive narrative. Whether someone’s acting out a ghostly monologue or managing cues backstage, every participant contributes to a cohesive story that captures the imagination.

And let’s not forget the production management side — planning schedules, designing sets, and making sure everything runs smoothly for hundreds of guests. It’s project-based learning in its most thrilling form.

💡 Lessons That Last Beyond the Fright

What students take away from the Haunted Studio goes far beyond Halloween. They gain confidence, leadership, and technical expertise in fields like lighting design, sound engineering, and production management — all while having a ton of fun.

By the end of the season, they’re not just proud of the screams they’ve inspired — they’re proud of the teamwork, creativity, and professionalism that made it all happen.

Because at JDS Creative Academy, every scare teaches something smart.