After just one frightening weekend, the ghouls at Gravestone Manor are already looking forward to breaking some more fundraising records. With more than 1,000 people through the doors, a few things are creepily clear: First, patrons seem to enjoy Gravestone’s unique story with a scare mixture. Second, they’re going to need more chairs for the theatre waiting area. With many more frights to deliver this season, longtime Gravestone volunteers sat down for a series of online exclusives with the Weekender. First in the gruesome lineup: Director Rob Padden.
Weekender: What keeps you coming back to the Manor after all these years?
Padden: It’s part of my annual orbit. I enjoy working with the new people every year and seeing all of the familiar faces
Weekender: What’s the process behind Gravestone Manor, from first meeting to closing night?
Padden: First we discuss what worked and didn’t work in the past year, then we vote on all of the story proposals brought by the writers group. After that we write the story on a room-by-room basis for the next few months. Construction starts in the summer, and rehearsals start in September. By the end of the month, we have a complete show ready to go.
Weekender: Is there anything particularly rewarding?
Padden: A whole slew of new people who volunteered many, many hours
Weekender: What have you learned from Gravestone over the years?
Padden: People can be really funny when they are scared. The look of anticipation when they know something is going to happen, but don’t know what, is pretty amusing.
Weekender: Is there anything that’s surprised you about Gravestone Manor this year?
Padden: The new seating area is great. There will be no more waiting in dark, noisy hallway.
Weekender: Gravestone wraps the night before Halloween. Any plans for the holiday?
Padden: Trick or treating with the boys (sons Logan and Ian).
Weekender: Finish this sentence: Gravestone Manor wouldn’t be possible without …
Padden: Ray (AnnHaigh) and all of his hard work and dedication to this project.
Weekender: After all of this time scaring poor, unsuspecting visitors, is there anything that scares you?
Padden: Frank’s (North End Tavern) running out of beer.
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Gravestone Manor, through Oct. 30, Fridays and Saturdays 7-11 p.m.; Sundays 7–9:30 p.m., Trion Warehouse (1095 Route 315, Plains Twp.). Tickets: $10. Info: 570.821.6500, www.gravestonemanor.org
