Inside the front doors of the Muncie Children's Museum, a group of men dressed in head-to-toe black are idling on the stairs. One man wears heavy eyeliner and a choker, and others fill the corridor clad in variations of this black uniform for one purpose: they want to terrify you.
Every year, students from Ball State and local high schools spend their evenings portraying the mutilated humans, aliens and ghouls that terrorize guests at The Basement, the museum's annual haunted house.
This year's hauntings start at 6-10 p.m. today and continue until Saturday at 515 S. High St. in downtown Muncie. The Basement will be open Thursday-Saturday for the rest of the month with extended hours for Halloween. Admission is $6 and open to all ages.
For Michael Daehn, head of Ball State University's theater education program, blood, guts, screams and horror are good things to spend time on.
Daehn joined the Ball State theater department five years ago after spending 12 years as a high school drama teacher. The high school had put on a haunted house as a fundraiser, so when he heard about The Basement, he knew it would be a good opportunity for his students at Ball State.
"It gives the students practical skills and gives me a chance to get to know them," he said. "It also lets the newer students bond with the older students."
Senior theater education major Ray Novotny agreed. He has been involved with The Basement for the last four years and has acted as stage manager for the last two. He said he has not only gotten to know Daehn and his classmates better, but the experience has also helped him to grow as a future teacher.
"As any teacher, you have to know how to manage," he said. "It's helped me to manage and have a leadership attitude about things rather than thinking, 'What should I do?'"
Novotny said one of his favorite aspects of The Basement is the opportunity it affords him to push his talents in ways he is unable to do at school.
"It's become like a project. Every October I know my life is basically here," he said. "But they let me be creative in terms of painting and building. No one's really telling me what to do."
However, the event is more than a playground for the drama department. Kinsey Anderson, the marketing and special events coordinator for the Muncie Children's Museum, said the museum is grateful for Daehn and his students because they are an integral part of the museum's largest fundraiser of the year.
"The money that is raised from ticket sales, as well as sponsorships, helps to continue the museum's mission in the Muncie community," she said. "Without this fundraiser, the museum would not be able to continue offering the educational opportunities for children that we strive toward. Because of The Basement, the museum is able to keep our doors open to foster our educational initiatives in East Central Indiana."
Daehn said he is glad he and his students are able to make a difference in the community, but the fun aspect of the event is never far from his mind.
"It's the coolest little playhouse in the universe," he said. "I love it."
Event infoWhere: Muncie Children's MuseumWhen: Thursday to Saturday until Oct. 31Time: 6-10 p.m. and 6-11 p.m. on Oct. 31Cost: $6
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