Interview: Kevin Brunck on Halloween Haunt, Dead Awakening, Future of Entertainment at KI and more

[BoddaH1994]

For those of you who have been living in a cave the past month or so (or at least not reading the forums very closely) Kevin Brunck is the head of entertainment at Kings Island. Of course you may know him as the mastermind behind Hot Island Rhythms or the evil genius behind Dead Awakening. Recently we were able to have a chat with Kevin Brunck and this is what he had to say about the entertainment department at Kings Island.

How does the new Halloween Haunt differ from the Fear Fest events of the past?

Halloween Haunt, was originated at Knotts Berry Farm where it has been the number one Halloween attraction in the country for several years and for good reason. Halloween Haunt is bigger, edgier, bloodier and is more of an overall experience compared to the traditional FearFest event. There’s nothing traditional about Halloween Haunt.

Why did you choose to take this new direction, and what has the general reaction been to the "nothing is off limits" direction of Halloween Haunt?

When Cedar Fair acquired Kings Island last year, they evaluated the product we had and while they thought it was good, they felt it had the potential to be even better. The overall reaction has been great. I think the message is loud and clear that Cedar Fair is committed to expanding and offering more than the guests expect from a traditional Halloween attraction.

One of the biggest, and most controversial, improvements to the Halloween event this year is the “Dead Awakening” show. Tell us about the story line of the show.

The story line to “Dead Awakening” is actually fairly simple and intentionally vague. A young woman is having a nightmare and wakes up within the nightmare. Kind of like a dream within a dream. It is there that she expresses her inner fears, frustrations and desires. It’s not until near the end of the show that we realize that a love triangle has triggered what we are seeing. Like real dreams and nightmares the story can be interrupted in several ways.

What was your role in the creation of Dead Awakening?

I served as the Producer for the show. With that responsibility, I created the concept, designed the set and oversaw all the creative elements with a very talented and supportive group of individuals working with me. No one person can take credit for any theatrical work. So many people come together to create the final production. “Dead Awakening” was no exception.

How long did you work on it?

We got the “green light” to proceed in mid-July. From that point I started listening to tons of music day and night. I actually got the idea for the concept on the way to work one day. “Waiting For Tonight” by Jennifer Lopez was playing on the radio. I had heard the song a hundred times before but never really paid much attention to the lyrics other than the chorus. The song is all about longing and anticipation but we never really know for sure if she was dreaming or was it real? Fall Out Boy’s “Thnks Fr Th Mmrs” was an appropriately dark response to the Lopez song within the framework of the concept. The concept really started with those two songs (which would become the finale) and dictated what would happen in the rest of the show. The major challenge was finding the right combination of songs to get us to the end.

From that point I talked to the cast from “Twistin’ to the 60’s” and explained what the show was going to be. There was a lot of talent in that cast and we needed them if this was going to work. They were excited from the start. I asked them to create a list of songs that fit into a certain criteria……dark, fun and a little twisted. I wanted them to part of the process from the beginning and to have a sense of ownership with the project. Between their list, my list and others I had asked, I had about 125 songs to consider. The most challenging part was choosing songs that were mostly contemporary and had an element that would fit into the concept. Once I narrowed the songs down to about 30, I met with the choreographer to discuss the dance-ability of the songs. From that point we met with the vocal director to discuss the arrangements and flow of the music with the concept. The final cut has 18 songs.

The whole process came together pretty quickly. We started recording the music in early August and started rehearsals the last week of August. The cast was rehearsing “Dead Awakening” in the mornings and then performing “Twistin’ to the 60’s” and “Hot Island Rhythms” in the afternoon and evenings. They were putting in some long days and never complained. They’re a great group!

How similar did the final product turn out to what you originally envisioned?

What I envisioned and what ended up on stage are very close to the same. The choreographer (Jody Mangino) actually added an element that surpassed what I thought we’d get. Her choreography is edgy throughout and adds a whole different level to the show. She did a great job. Adam Hayward (Lighting Designer) and I have worked together on several shows outside of Kings Island. He and I usually know what the other is going for without even asking. As always, he did an outstanding job.

What is the process you follow in order to find performers for “Dead Awakening” and other Kings Island shows, and what advice would you give aspiring performers that would be interested in working for Kings Island's entertainment department?

The process for casting “Dead Awakening” was a little different than our traditional process. Over half the cast is from our summer shows or has worked for us in the past. Four of the five dancers auditioned at one of the Haunt auditions in early August. Since we were putting this show together fairly quickly, it was best to offer our current performers first choice at being in the show.

The process for our summer shows has been the same for years. We have an annual Audition Tour in November where we hold open auditions for anyone 16 years or older. Vocalists are asked to bring two songs, one up-tempo and one ballad in a pop style. We basically listen for style and vocal range and the way the performer sells the song.

Dancers are taught a combination by our choreographer. They are then broken down into groups of four where they get to perform the combination twice for the audition panel. Again, style, technique and sell are the main components we’re looking for.

Actors are asked to bring a family friendly monologue that shows off their acting range.

Nickelodeon Characters go through a brief movement audition to show characterization.

After the last audition date in mid-November, the choreographer, vocal director and myself review all those that auditioned and start casting the shows accordingly. Some offers are made as early as December, while others can be as late as early spring. There are a lot of factors that go into the final casting and it can be a long process.

My best advice to those auditioning is to be prepared. Have your music or monologue picked out in advance and have it memorized.

My other advice would be to RELAX! Everyone on the audition panel has been on the other end of it. We know how nerve-wracking auditions can be. It’s natural to be nervous and we understand.

What is in store for the future Entertainment Department at Kings Island?

We are currently in the process of working on the 2008 program and will begin the audition process in November. Like all of Cedar Fair parks, Kings Island is committed to bringing the highest quality entertainment possible to their guests. Look for family-friendly shows in the summer months and “Nothing is off limits” shows for Halloween Haunt!

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A special thank you goes out to Kevin Brunck for taking the time to answer our questions. Dead Awakening shows on Friday and Saturday in the International Showplace at 8:30, 9:30, 11:30, 12:30. The show will be BLACKED OUT Sunday through Tuesday but will make its amazing Halloween return for one last night on Wednesday, October 31st with showtimes at 8:00, 9:00 and 10:00. Click here to see KIC's photos of Dead Awakening.

Pleased be advised that Dead Awakening, and all of Halloween Haunt for that matter, is intended for MATURE AUDIENCES.

[Young Gunz]

Wow! That's really interesting!

It's hard to sit there in a show and not wonder about how much time it takes to create the whole thing.

Kudos to KIC!!

[PKIVortex]

And KIC does it again, very nice interview. I had no idea how much actually went into one of these shows.

[Dane]

Great read, people take for granted how much actually goes into these shows.

[PKIVortex]

So I've seen. I won't look at one of these shows the same way again. I knew they were a lot of hard work that put into these things. I'm looking forward to what KI's Entertainment department has in store for us in 2008.

[Gordon Bombay]

I never realized the cast members had such a large role in the creative process. Sounds like Brunk's got some good ideas going and the ent. will only get better at the park this upcoming summer.

[Karen]

Great job on that Interview!!!! I am sooo glad you decided to do something like this and I certainly hope that those having issues with the show read it. Maybe to know that there was this much throught and work put into it then possibly some realization that they do really know what they are dong.

I attended all of the shows this year and found them better than anything I have ever seen at Kings Island. Kevin and Adam do a fantastic job. What was so great about this year is that you can go more than once and still not be bored!! I know that I went to the summer shows more than ten times each and still loved them. Unfortunately at Dead Awakening because there are so many other things that I can and must do there simply is not the time.

Hot Island Rhythm with the addition of crowd interactions by the performers made it a much more enjoyable show as I was able to get to know some of the performers so for me it became a little more personal. They are a great group of people and just talking to them you can easily see they are really great people too!!

Thanks Kevin and Adam for a fantastic summer!!!!

[PKIVortex]

I never realized the cast members had such a large role in the creative process. Sounds like Brunk's got some good ideas going and the ent. will only get better at the park this upcoming summer.

I also thought that was cool, that the performers got to give there input to the songs.

[House]

Who is the hot blonde from Hot Island Rhythm? I think she was also in the HH show that is by the tower.

[faeriewench]

Natalie Gibson (also in Dead Awakening)...but there was also Bridgette (sp? Karen?) as well in those summer shows.

But the girl in HH show is Natalie

[BoddaH1994]

The blond from Dead Awakening was in Twistin' to the 60s.