Seasonal Immersive Theatre Actor / Character Performer — Fantasy Fright
Event: Fantasy Fright
Location: Carlsbad Strawberry Company, Carlsbad, California
Job type: Seasonal, temporary, part-time
Season: September–November 2026
Compensation: $20 - $30 per hour depending on role
Expected hours: Primarily evenings and weekends
Website: www.fantasyfright.com
About Fantasy Fright
Fantasy Fright is seeking actors and character performers for a new premium immersive dark-fantasy attraction opening at the Carlsbad Strawberry Company in fall 2026.
This is not a conventional haunted house focused only on jump scares. Fantasy Fright is a story-driven production combining large-scale scenic environments, animatronics, original music, theatrical lighting, costumes, mythology and live guest interaction.
Guests travel through an interconnected fantasy world, recover ancient relics and encounter characters who guide, warn, challenge, deceive and respond to them throughout their journey.
The performance style emphasizes:
- Sustained character work
- Improvisation
- Atmospheric storytelling
- Direct guest interaction
- Strong vocal and physical choices
- Short, repeatable scenes for rotating guest groups
- Remaining in character throughout the assigned performance area
Roles Being Cast
Lady Bryn — Principal Hero, Storyteller and Guide
Lady Bryn is one of the central heroic figures in Fantasy Fright. She helps introduce guests to the realm, explains the danger of the spreading darkness and guides them through key parts of the relic quest.
She should feel intelligent, courageous, compassionate and quietly authoritative. Lady Bryn is not a helpless fantasy maiden or a broad fairy-tale character. She is a capable leader who understands the mythology of the realm and carries genuine emotional investment in the guests’ journey.
Seeking a performer with:
- Excellent storytelling and vocal projection
- Warmth, confidence and natural authority
- Strong improvisational ability
- The ability to address and engage groups of guests
- Emotionally grounded dramatic acting
- Comfort interacting with children, adults and mixed-age groups
- The ability to deliver directions and story information without sounding like event staff
- Strong reliability and availability for rehearsals and performances
Experience with classical theatre, fantasy performance, Shakespeare, immersive theatre, Renaissance faire, themed entertainment or character hosting is helpful.
The performer must be comfortable wearing layered medieval-fantasy wardrobe, working outdoors during evening hours and repeating short scripted and improvised encounters throughout the performance period.
Count Dracula — Principal Villain
A regal, intelligent and dangerous ruler of the throne room.
This should not be a comedic or exaggerated Dracula. The character’s power should come from confidence, vocal control, stillness and authority.
Classical theatre, Shakespearean performance, immersive theatre or experience playing commanding villains is preferred.
Dracula’s Bride
An elegant, aristocratic and threatening member of Dracula’s court.
Seeking strong stage presence, controlled movement, improvisation and the ability to shift between charm, amusement and menace without becoming campy.
Mirror Witch
A mysterious supernatural figure associated with Medusa and the Chapel of Mirrors.
Seeking distinctive vocal delivery, strong eye contact, elegant or unsettling movement and excellent improvisational ability. Dance, movement-theatre or experimental-performance experience is helpful.
Gravekeeper
A cryptic cemetery caretaker who offers warnings, fragments of forbidden knowledge and restrained dark humor.
Seeking a strong character voice, atmospheric storytelling and confident guest interaction.
Doomed Villager
A survivor who has witnessed the darkness spreading through the realm.
Seeking emotionally grounded acting, physical storytelling and the ability to portray believable fear and urgency without relying on constant screaming.
Knight of the Moon
A solemn, battle-worn warrior connected to the Moonlit Chamber.
Seeking strong posture, controlled physicality, dramatic delivery and comfort wearing knight-inspired wardrobe and safely handling lightweight costume props.
Relic Keeper
A guardian of ancient artifacts and knowledge.
Seeking a clear storyteller with a ceremonial or scholarly presence who can explain story elements without sounding like an attraction employee.
Dungeon Warden
The severe keeper of the condemned.
Seeking an authoritative performer capable of controlled intimidation, improvisation and managing guest flow while remaining fully in character.
Monk
A mysterious keeper of forbidden history.
Seeking calm authority, deliberate movement, strong storytelling and comfort performing in robes while using books, scrolls or ceremonial props.
Atmospheric Ensemble and Swing Performers
Versatile performers may portray villagers, spirits, ruined guards, castle attendants, dungeon prisoners, relic guardians and members of Dracula’s court.
Swing performers may learn several compatible roles and provide cast coverage as needed.
Ideal Qualifications
Applicants may have experience in one or more of the following:
- Theatre or community theatre
- Improvisation
- Immersive theatre
- Renaissance faire
- Theme-park or themed-entertainment performance
- Character hosting
- Cosplay
- Movement or physical theatre
- Stage combat
- Dance
- Family entertainment
Professional credits are not required for every role. Reliability, character commitment, responsiveness to direction and comfort interacting with guests are essential.
Responsibilities
- Perform an assigned fantasy or Gothic character for rotating guest groups
- Memorize scripts, story information and structured interactions
- Improvise appropriately while protecting established story continuity
- Remain in character within the assigned performance area
- Attend required rehearsals, costume fittings and safety training
- Maintain assigned costumes, props and makeup
- Adjust performance intensity appropriately for adults, children and mixed-age groups
- Follow guest-safety and backstage procedures
- Report on time and remain available for the full scheduled shift
- Work cooperatively with stage management, operations staff and other performers
Schedule
Performers must have reliable evening and weekend availability during October 2026.
Current nighttime performance dates are expected to include:
October 2–4, 9–11, 14–18, 21–25 and 28–31, with a final performance currently planned for November 1.
Rehearsals, fittings and technical rehearsals will take place before opening. Exact calls and shift lengths will be provided during casting.
Working Conditions
This is an outdoor seasonal attraction. Performers may work around:
- Fog and atmospheric effects
- Theatrical lighting and flashing effects
- Loud music and sound effects
- Large animatronics
- Low-light environments
- Outdoor allergens
- Costumes, wigs and theatrical makeup
- Extended periods of standing or repeated movement
Reasonable role-specific accommodations will be considered.
Reliable transportation to Carlsbad is required.
Application Requirements
Please submit:
- A current résumé showing theatre, performance, improvisation, themed-entertainment or related experience.
- A current headshot or clear recent photograph so the casting team can evaluate appropriate character and costume assignments.
- A brief note listing the roles that most interest you.
- Your availability during September, October and early November 2026.
- Details about any experience with improvisation, immersive theatre, stage combat, Renaissance faire, cosplay, dance, movement or character entertainment.
- A performance reel or monologue video, when available.
Selected applicants will be invited to an audition or callback in North County San Diego.
Audition Process
Auditions may also include:
- A cold reading from Fantasy Fright
- An improvised guest interaction
- A character movement exercise
- Vocal projection
- A discussion of availability and role preferences
Fantasy, Gothic, classical or heightened material is encouraged but not required.
Equal Opportunity
Fantasy Fright welcomes applicants from diverse backgrounds, identities, body types and levels of experience. Most roles may be cast inclusively unless a particular costume, movement or story requirement is essential to the role.
Pay: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour
Work Location: In person
