We're Hiring: Now accepting resumes for the position of Costume Director

Eastern State Penitentiary's Terror Behind the Walls presented by Lukoil, the region's largest haunted attraction, is seeking a talented, creative, organized costume designer(s).

Last year, AOL City Guide, the nation's largest and the internet's most popular online entertainment guide, ranked Terror Behind the Walls the "Number 1 Haunted House in America."  One of the main reasons for achieving that ranking is the attention to detail in the costume department.  

The responsibilities for this position include: costuming approximately 150 employees (see details below), hiring and managing a seamstress to assist with costume building, laundry, repairs, and nightly organization of the department.  

This position will work closely with the Theatrical Director, Employee Services Manager, and the Makeup Designer to help maintain the high standards Terror Behind the Walls holds to provide our visitors with an enjoyable experience.  Examples of different costumes used in the show range from generic inmate and guard uniforms to stilt walkers and detailed custom characters for queue line entertainment.

The event currently maintains an inventory of approximately 150 costumes (many of which are stock jumpsuits, button down shirts, and coats that have been customized to fit the prison theme) from previous shows.  Some of these costumes will be replaced, but the majority will be updated, repaired and altered for this years show.  In addition, each year 10 to 15 elaborate custom costumes are built from scratch for our signature characters.   

Salary is based on experience and is for a time frame beginning in July or August and continuing until early November.   The Costume Director is required to be at the show each night we are open, please see our website calendar for a schedule of our 2009 show nights.

Please send resumes and samples to jo@easternstate.org by Wednesday, July 8, 2009.

For information about auditions and interviews for actors, ticket handlers, line staff, retail staff, box office staff and storytellers see opportunities below.

We're Hiring All Kinds of People for Halloween

Halloween isn’t just one night at Eastern State Penitentiary. Our acclaimed event, Terror Behind the Walls, runs 27 nights from September 18 to November 1. Lots of planning and training take place in September.

All staff must be 18 years old or older and pass a background check. Eastern State Penitentiary is an equal opportunity employer.

Auditions / Interviews for all positions begin in August:

Available positions include actors, ticket handlers, line staff, story tellers, retail staff and box office staff.

Save time! Download our 2009 application, fill it out and bring it with you when you come to audition or interview. Not only will you save time at the audition/interview, but you will also be placed ahead of applicants who are filling out the application when they arrive.

These jobs are demanding, and FUN. Many people return year after year to join our “Scream Team!” Pay starts at $9.00 per hour, more for management positions.

2009 Audition/Interview Dates & Times

Auditions/Interviews will be held on:

Sunday, August 16th at 3:00 pm

Monday, August 24th at 6:00 pm

Monday, August 31st at 6:00 pm

Tuesday, September 8th at 6:00 pm

Monday, September 21st at 6:00 pm

Monday, October 5th at 6:00 pm

Monday, October 19th at 6:00 pm

All Auditions/Interviews are held at Eastern State Penitentiary. You do not need to make an appointment – first come, first auditioned/interviewed. Positions are filled on a first come first served basis.

A mandatory orientation will be held on Monday, September 14th at 6:00 pm. Please plan on attending this orientation if you are hired at the August 16th, 24th, 31st or September 8th audition/interviews. Costume fittings, emergency training and dress rehearsals will be held on the evenings of September 14th (immediately following orientation), 15th, 16th & 17th.

What you need to bring:

If you are auditioning for an acting, story telling, ticket handling or line staff position:

You do not need to bring anything with you. When you arrive you will be asked to fill out an availability calendar. Please see our 2009 Schedule for this year’s show nights and times. Your picture will be taken and audition sheets will be provided. If you have a resume and headshot, you may bring it, but it is not necessary. You do not have to prepare a monologue, just come, have fun, and give us your best scream! No experience necessary!

If you are interviewing for a box office or retail position:

Although you won't be asked to audition, these positions require fun, energetic individuals.

If you are applying for a retail or box office staff position please bring a resume with you. When you arrive you will be asked to fill out an availability calendar. Please see our 2009 Schedule for this year’s show nights and times. Your picture will be taken and audition sheets will be provided. Lot’s of energy and retail experience are required!