Michigan’s Erebus Haunted Attraction Trains Performers in Art of Scaring

Inside a massive four-story building in Pontiac, Michigan, staff at Erebus Haunted Attraction teach their scare artists the tricks of terror. The Fear Academy preps performers before they unleash fright on unsuspecting visitors.

"Fear is not an accident. Fear is an art," said Zac Terebus, operations manager at Erebus, according to NewsBreak. The haunted attraction runs from September 19 through November 2, 2025.

New performers learn it all—from makeup application to body movement techniques. Veterans show fresh faces how to perfect their zombie shuffle, master blood-curdling screams, and balance on stilts while staying in character.

Brad Terebus, who owns the attraction with his brother Zac, sees the transformation in his staff. "Let's say they're a lawyer by day. They can come here, break their shell off and just release this monster within them," Brad said, according to Newsbreak.

A "Wimp Out Score Board" stands tall in the entrance hall. The numbers tell a chilling tale—tracking both those who flee through emergency exits and visitors who lose their lunches from sheer terror.

The stats paint a stark picture: 10,711 people have run screaming for the exits, while 1,246 got physically sick from fright since opening day. "It's a competition among our monsters to see who can really scare the pee out of somebody," Zac Terebus said.

Alan Tucker, now in his second year as a twisted clown, finds unexpected joy in his role. "You never really think that you can be something else for a couple hours and scare people. But then when you really actually get to do that, it's so entertaining. It's so fulfilling," Tucker said.

Three-year veteran Renee Piehl brings the Greek goddess of night, Nyx, to life. "They come here to be scared. It's Halloween. It's fun," Piehl said to Newsbreak. She added, "We are to be ugly and scary and bloody."

The old parking structure now strikes fear into hearts as one of America's most terrifying haunted spots. Visitors can test their courage through November 2. For the faint of heart, chicken exits wait on every floor—a quick escape from the horrors within.