Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock to host first-ever Fright Night fundraiser Oct. 28-31

TUNKHANNOCK — There’s something about the building that houses the Wyoming County Cultural Center at the Dietrich Theater that can send a tingling sensation down one’s spine, especially after dark. Or at least according to a small group of volunteers who are planning an event there they hope will give people a similar reaction.

The first-ever Dietrich Fright Night is scheduled for 7:30 to 11:30 p.m. Friday through Sunday, Oct. 28 through 30 and 7 to 11 p.m. Monday, Oct. 31. Admission is $10 and proceeds will help support the many classes and programs provided by the cultural center.

“We always wanted to do a haunted house, because we always thought the theater was creepy,” said Jessica Schaffer, event organizer. “Especially the old half.”

The original section of the theater, which was built in 1936, will be shut down the entire week of Oct. 24 through 31 for the event. During that time, movie-goers will enter through the newer side of the building.

Fright Night is not for the faint of heart and is recommended for those over the age of 10.

According to event organizer Mary Troy, the idea behind the horror movie-themed attraction is to “bring your greatest fears into reality, as if they’ve jumped off the screen.”

The self-guided tour will take approximately 20 minutes to complete – that is, for those who don’t run off screaming. In addition to the rooms inside the theater, the set will also include an outdoor tent.

About 50 volunteers and donors are helping to pull off the event, which the theater hopes to make an annual affair. More than 20 actors, many of whom are young adults who work at the theater, are volunteering their time to dress up in costumes and help amp up the “fright” each night.

“It’s a lot of work, and without these young (people) and volunteers, there’s no way something like this could happen,” said Nancy Aiello, event chair. “This is our first year, so we’re just trying to see what we can do with volunteers and donations.”

Due to potential “spoilers,” organizers declined to reveal the exact route the tour will take or too many details about what brave visitors might encounter along the way, but their two slogans drop some hints: “It’s your turn to be in the horror film,” and “All your biggest fears have jumped off the screen.”

“There’s a lot of secret things that are going to happen,” said Aiello.

For more information, visit dietrichtheater.com or call the theater at 570-836-1022.

Is the first ever Dietrich Fright Night spooky, comical or a little bit of both? People will have to decide for themselves on the evenings of Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Oct. 28, 29, 30 and 31. Event organizers, from left, Nancy Aiello, Jessica Schaffer and Lydia Carlin act the part while Sam Kelly, as Freddy Krueger and Mary Troy, as a clown, ‘sneak up’ on them in the basement of the Tunkhannock theater and cultural center.

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_ABJ-Fright-Night-1.jpg.optimal.jpgIs the first ever Dietrich Fright Night spooky, comical or a little bit of both? People will have to decide for themselves on the evenings of Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Oct. 28, 29, 30 and 31. Event organizers, from left, Nancy Aiello, Jessica Schaffer and Lydia Carlin act the part while Sam Kelly, as Freddy Krueger and Mary Troy, as a clown, ‘sneak up’ on them in the basement of the Tunkhannock theater and cultural center. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

Donated props hang in the basement of the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock. The entire original half of the building will be shut down during the week of Oct. 24 through 31 for Fright Night, the theater and cultural center’s new spooky fundraiser scheduled for Friday through Monday, Oct. 28 through 31.

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_ABJ-Fright-Night-2.jpg.optimal.jpgDonated props hang in the basement of the Dietrich Theater in Tunkhannock. The entire original half of the building will be shut down during the week of Oct. 24 through 31 for Fright Night, the theater and cultural center’s new spooky fundraiser scheduled for Friday through Monday, Oct. 28 through 31. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal

From left, Freddy Krueger (Sam Kelly, of Tunkhannock) and a clown (Mary Troy, of Tunkhannock) ‘sneak up’ on Nancy Aiello, Jessica Schaffer and Lydia Carlin as they examine some of the props donated to the Dietrich Theater for its first ever Fright Night, a haunted attraction scheduled for Oct. 28 through 31.

https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/web1_ABJ-Fright-Night-3.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, Freddy Krueger (Sam Kelly, of Tunkhannock) and a clown (Mary Troy, of Tunkhannock) ‘sneak up’ on Nancy Aiello, Jessica Schaffer and Lydia Carlin as they examine some of the props donated to the Dietrich Theater for its first ever Fright Night, a haunted attraction scheduled for Oct. 28 through 31. Elizabeth Baumeister photos | Abington Journal