October can be a breadwinner for actors. With Halloween comes a surge in demand for performers who can entertain, frighten, and bring the season’s spooky energy to life. Haunted attractions, themed parties, and specialized gigs allow actors to earn money.
This guide will walk you through various ways actors can capitalize on the Halloween season, offering tips and insights on making the most of October’s spooktacular opportunities.
1. Join a Haunted House or Haunted Attraction
Haunted houses are a staple of Halloween, and they rely heavily on talented actors to create the fear-inducing atmosphere that draws crowds year after year. Whether you’re playing a terrifying ghost, a crazed chainsaw wielder, or a zombie creeping in the shadows, haunted houses offer actors a chance to flex their skills in immersive, interactive environments.
How to Get Involved:
Research local haunted houses: Many haunted attractions start recruiting early in August or September. Search online for local haunts or ask fellow actors for recommendations.
Audition: While some haunted houses offer open casting calls, others require auditions where you must demonstrate your ability to stay in character under stressful, sometimes chaotic conditions.
Know your strengths: If you’re skilled in makeup application, physical acting, or improv, make sure to highlight these talents during auditions. Haunted houses often look for performers who can keep the energy high throughout the night.
Know your strengths: If you’re skilled in makeup application, physical acting, or improv, highlight these talents during auditions. Haunted houses often look for performers who can keep the energy high throughout the night.
Why It’s Lucrative: Operating haunted attractions can be pretty profitable, as some professional haunted houses offer hourly wages ranging from $15 to $50 based on the venue and position. Moreover, actors at high-end events may also receive tips for their performances.
2. Perform at Halloween-Themed Events and Parties
Private Halloween parties, corporate events, and festivals often hire actors to serve as performers or themed characters. From spooky storytellers and fortune-tellers to classic movie villains and haunted hosts, actors can find plenty of one-night gigs that pay well for bringing the holiday spirit to life.
How to Get Involved:
Advertise your services: Create a portfolio or social media posts showcasing your range of Halloween characters, from classic monsters like vampires and witches to more contemporary villains. Reach out to event planners and party organizers to offer your services.
Join a staffing agency: Some agencies specialize in providing performers for themed events, especially during Halloween. Joining one of these agencies can connect you with higher-paying gigs, often in more formal settings.
Network: If you have collaborated with event planners, DJs, or venues before, consider contacting them to inform them of your availability for Halloween celebrations. Numerous events are seeking distinctive entertainers to elevate the ambiance, whether through engaging character interactions or short performances.
Why It’s Lucrative: Event performers can earn between $100 and $500 for a few hours of work, depending on the complexity of the performance and the budget of the event. This is especially true for corporate or VIP events where high-quality entertainment is expected.
3. Work as a Halloween Costume Character
Theme parks, shopping malls, and other large public venues often hire actors to dress up as Halloween characters for their seasonal events. Whether it’s posing for photos, interacting with guests, or participating in parades, this kind of work is perfect for actors who enjoy staying in character for extended periods.
How to Get Involved:
Apply at theme parks or entertainment venues: Theme parks such as Universal Studios, Six Flags, and local amusement parks are known for hosting significant Halloween events like “Fright Fest” or “Halloween Horror Nights.” These venues often need a large cast of actors for character performances and interactive scares.
Check with local businesses: Malls, department stores, and tourist attractions often hire seasonal performers to entertain shoppers or visitors during special Halloween events.
Why It’s Lucrative: Costume character work often pays between $15 and $25 per hour, with higher rates for skilled or unionized performers. While this can be physically demanding, it’s a great way to earn consistent income throughout October.
4. Become a Halloween Tour Guide
Ghost tours and history walks with spooky twists and urban legend stories give performers a great chance to show off their storytelling and improvisation skills. Tour operators often look for entertaining performers who can captivate audiences with scary stories while keeping a spooky atmosphere as they guide people through haunted places.
How to Get Involved:
Contact local tour companies: Many cities have established ghost tours, and they typically start looking for seasonal help during the summer. Research local tours, and contact companies about hiring actors or seasonal guides.
Create your own tour: If your area has a lot of haunted history or urban legends, think about creating your own walking tour. With some research and creativity, you can start offering ghost tours and promote them on social media or through local tourism boards.
Why It’s Lucrative: Ghost tours typically pay around $50 to $100 per tour, with tips often added on top. If you decide to create your own tour, the income potential increases, especially if you price your tours competitively and build up a loyal customer base.
5. Offer Voiceover Work for Haunted Audio Productions
Halloween isn’t just about what you see; it’s also about the sounds that set the mood. Audio projects like podcasts, short films, and commercials often seek voice actors to create eerie narrations or creepy character voices. If you have a decent home recording setup or access to a studio, voiceover work can be a flexible way to earn during October.
How to Get Involved:
Search for voiceover casting calls: Many websites like DirectSubmit / NYCastings list Halloween-themed voiceover gigs that pop up in the weeks leading to October.
Network with indie filmmakers or podcast producers: Independent creators often produce Halloween-themed content and may need voice actors for various roles. Reach out to local film groups or podcast communities to find these opportunities.
Create a Halloween voiceover demo: If you have a variety of spooky characters or narrations, create a demo reel specifically for Halloween projects and promote it across social media and casting websites.
Why It’s Lucrative: Voiceover work can pay anywhere from $50 to $500 depending on the project. Indie productions might offer lower rates, but national commercials or larger productions could be more lucrative.
6. Teach Halloween-Themed Acting Workshops
If you have experience in horror acting or specialized skills in makeup, improv, or character creation, consider offering Halloween-themed workshops. Teaching others how to perfect their scare tactics, or how to act in a haunted attraction, can be a rewarding way to earn extra income during October.
How to Get Involved:
Partner with local theaters or community centers: Reach out to theaters or acting schools to see if they would be interested in hosting a Halloween acting or scary improv workshop.
Promote online courses: With virtual learning more popular than ever, you can offer online Halloween acting workshops to actors or horror enthusiasts looking to improve their skills. Platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, or even Zoom allow you to reach a global audience.
Collaborate with haunted attractions: If you already work with a haunted house, ask if they need acting coaches to train their seasonal staff.
Why It’s Lucrative: Workshops can pay anywhere from $100 to $500 per session, depending on the size of the group and the complexity of the material. Virtual workshops offer the potential to reach a broader audience and create a steady income stream.
7. Create Halloween Content on Social Media
Actors with a flair for the spooky can utilize social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to create Halloween-themed content. Whether you’re doing makeup tutorials, costume reveals, or short horror skits, there’s a growing audience for Halloween entertainment that could lead to monetization opportunities.
How to Get Involved:
Create engaging content: Start posting Halloween-themed content early to gain traction by October. Use hashtags, trends, and collaborations to increase your reach.
Monetize your content: Once you build a following, you can monetize your content through sponsorships, ads, or promoting products relevant to the Halloween season, such as makeup, costumes, or props.
Join Halloween campaigns: Brands often look for social media influencers and content creators to promote Halloween products or events. If you’ve built up a decent following, reach out to brands for potential collaborations.
Why It’s Lucrative: Social media creators can earn from ad revenue, sponsorships, and brand deals. Depending on your following, this can range from small stipends to substantial earnings during the holiday season.
With some planning, creativity, and a bit of Halloween magic, actors can make the most of this festive season and have fun while doing it!
