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Throughout the historic rooms of The Gear Factory, families played games amid a spooky Halloween ambiance. Attendees were awarded prizes by two ghastly figures: one in a clown mask and the other trapped in a makeshift birdcage. The chilling pair were KB and KB, or KB Stallings and Brianna Brescka.

“You have to buy into (these performances) by being vulnerable with us and being trustworthy of these characters,” Stallings, who is also a graduate student at Syracuse University, said.

The KBs are a team of performance artists who have collaborated since meeting as undergraduate students at Middle Tennessee State University. The Ghoulery at the Gear is the pair’s newest venture. The two artists have rented the space in the Gear Factory in Syracuse’s Westside neighborhood from August through September to host the immersive experience. On Sept. 27, a costume contest will close out the festivities.

The haunted house is the headlining attraction. Instead of the jumpscares one might expect, Stallings and Brescka use improvisational comedy and atmospheric decorations, like a clown doll named “Crubles.” While in character, they interact with attendees and catch them by surprise using disarming quips and sudden movements.

“We love making people feel uncomfortable,” Stallings said. “But it’s always harmless fun.”

Games are a large part of the show’s interactivity. Guests can shoot hoops, play ring toss and make cardboard crafts while inside the haunted house. Each activity is an opportunity to earn unidentified mystery prizes, the most valuable being a new Xbox.

Lars Jendruschewitz | Photo Editor

As part of Ghoulery, KB and KB show a different horror movie every weekend. On the weekend of September 20, they showed “Eat Locals.”

To the duo, a haunted house seemed like the natural next step for their characters. After their previous excursions such as a mock game show and a food truck that serves cardboard food, they believed this had the richest comedic potential.

“It’s hilarious,” Stallings said. “It’s something that just makes sense for the characters we’ve created.”

Eva Greene, a Syracuse University senior, praised the Ghoulery for its mixture of performance art, homemade decorations and interactive games. The experience is more than just visual, Greene said, as the element of live performance engages the audience further.

Much of the haunted house’s content is undisclosed prior to entry, leaving guests without concrete expectations.

“I knew very little about it going in,” Greene said. “I knew it was something like a haunted house, but I didn’t know exactly what that meant.”

The Gear Factory is home to several artists and creative minds, including Sydney Chabot, who helped Stallings and Brescka bring Ghoulery at the Gear to life. They also welcomed guests as they arrived.

“I really respect (KB and KB) as artists,” Chabot said. “I wanted to help out as much as I could.”

Admission is free for all guests, though Stallings and Brescka recommend leaving a donation of at least $5. The pair insist it is enough just to bring these experiences to people. Their focus is on creating a different world.

Stallings and Brescka encourage all who may be interested to attend the Ghoulery for the authentic view of their artistic identities it offers.

“You should interact with these two characters, play games and have an experience that’s completely unique to anything else,” Stallings said.

Published on September 24, 2024 at 11:47 pm

jdvogel@syr.edu