NATCHITOCHES – As Halloween approaches, Northwestern State University students are stepping into frightening roles as scare actors at Dark Woods Haunted Attraction in Natchitoches.
Located at Timber Ridge Adventure Park, Dark Woods features two haunted attractions, Deadfall Trail and Alice’s Madhouse in 3D: Descent, where live actors perform alongside detailed sets and special effects.
For Cooper Duplantis of Houma, an NSU freshman pursuing a Bachelor of Fine Arts in musical theatre, working at Dark Woods offers an opportunity to apply his performance skills outside the classroom.
“As a performer, I am always looking for some kind of way to be creative, and when I heard that there was a performance opportunity, I immediately jumped at it,” Duplantis said.
Duplantis incorporates talents such as stilt walking, juggling and ventriloquism into his work as a scare actor. He said the experience has also introduced him to opportunities in an area of the entertainment industry he had not previously explored.
“I think it’s given me a foot in the door in an industry that a lot of performers don’t really get into because the scare acting, haunt acting and event acting industry is huge,” Duplantis said.
Beyond performing, Duplantis said the attraction’s flexible scheduling allows him to balance his work with his responsibilities as a college student.
For NSU alumna Makynli Delcambre, working at Dark Woods began as a scare actor and developed into a career. Delcambre, who studied dance and business administration at NSU, now serves as event coordinator for Timber Ridge Adventure Park and backstage manager for Dark Woods Haunted Attractions.
Delcambre said the attraction welcomes college students who bring new personalities and talents to the performances.
“We really like to hire students, especially whenever they are a freshman because they tend to become part of our little family,” Delcambre said. “Whenever we bring in the college students, they always bring something fun and fresh and interesting to the mix.”
Delcambre said working at the attraction can also help students develop confidence and explore their creativity through performance.
“I think it definitely gives them confidence to just go out and perform and be themselves and be silly and just go for it,” Delcambre said.
“For me, it has given me a career,” Delcambre said. “It has transformed from just me being a haunt actor into something much more.”
Dark Woods will conclude its 2026 season Friday, Oct. 30, and Saturday, Oct. 31, from 7 to 11 p.m. The box office closes at 10 p.m. On Halloween night, students can receive $20 general admission with a valid student ID or proof of current enrollment. Discounted tickets must be purchased in person at the box office.
For more information about Dark Woods Haunted Attraction, including tickets and operating hours, visit www.timberridge.fun.