In haunted houses, as in theater, there’s a fine line between pretend and real. For a good “scare” to work, the central nervous system must be tricked into reacting before the conscious mind takes over and realizes it’s all a game. How do actors, directors, set builders and lighting designers use science, engineering and their understanding of human psychology and physiology to create an effective haunted house? Learn about the science and art behind haunted houses with Paul Kassel, dean of the NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts, and Jim Langley, scene and lighting designer and retired theater professor.

Kassel — a professional actor, director and playwright — has played both villains and victims, and has directed violent and frightening material. And as a theater designer, Langley knows all the tricks, including fake blood, stage smoke, fog, and even how to how to chop off someone’s head (without really doing so). These two master craftspeople will share secrets of how to create the illusion of danger that prompts fear. Like a magic trick, knowing how it’s done can actually make a good haunted house even more fun.

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The meeting room opens at 5:45 p.m., and speakers begin promptly at 6 p.m.

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