Cydney Neil never thought she would spend 20 years of her life running a haunted house.
She also never knew that it would become world famous and receive numerous awards. She didn't know she was going to start a theater program that would teach thousands of youths about theater arts — and give them a place to belong. Or that her interactive sets would draw thousands of thrill-seekers every year.
But that's exactly what happened.
Neil is the director and producer for Rocky Point Haunted House, 3400 S. State in Salt Lake City. The more than 60,000-square-foot haunted house draws more than 50,000 visitors per year and includes more than 50 elaborate, interactive sets, Hollywood memorabilia and movie props. The newest attraction is the Pirates of the Scare-ibbean exhibit with nightly appearances by Captain Jack Sparrow.
"This place has been such a tradition and such an icon in the community," she said. "I think it's really, really great that it's being recognized."
This season will be the last for Rocky Point as the doors of the haunted house will close forever in May 2007 following Scream Break. The question of why it's closing is complicated and must be looked at in a deeper way, Neil says, but it has to do with encouraging youths who have been nurtured in the theater program to move on so they can share talents and skills learned in the haunted house for their own or others' good.
"All I know is that I've been told everything will be taken care of, and I just get to enjoy every single minute and give (the youths) every single thing I can possibly give them before I go," she said.
Casting director Fran Pruyn, who has been working at Rocky Point since 1999, says working with the youths and seeing their growth has been her favorite part of the haunted house.
"(They're) very dedicated to doing what is a difficult job," she said. "It's hard to maintain a character for that long, it's hard to wear the costumes (and) prosthetic masks for that long. It's not just a place to hang out but a place to do some serious work."
Pruyn says over the years the program has expanded from offering only acting classes to offering movement and voice classes and peer coaching.
Now in his third season of Rocky Point's youth theater program, Carl Evans, 22, who plays Jack Sparrow this season, coaches other students. He says the program has taught him many things, including patience, staying in character and entertaining.
"We come in at 4:30 and stay until midnight," he said. "It's a very positive environment here. Everybody feeds off each other."
Logan Young, 21, is participating in Rocky Point for the first time this year. Although he has been in several community theater productions, he says the haunted house is an entirely different ball game.
"I'm used to entertaining people and making them laugh," he said. "In a lot of ways it's different, but in a lot of ways it's similar. The goal is different but the approach is the same. That's one thing I'm shocked about."
Evans said although it will be difficult to see Rocky Point close, it's an important step.
"It is necessary. It's kind of like graduation from high school," he said. "I'm excited to go on to something new."
Rocky Point is located at 3400 S. State in Salt Lake City. Hours of operation are from 7:30-10:30 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday and from 7:30 p.m. to midnight Fridays and Saturdays. Ticket prices are $16 for adults, $8 for children 6-12 and children under 6 are free. For more information, visit www.rockypointhauntedhouse.com.
E-mail: twalquist@desnews.com