We recently connected with Patrick Burke and have shared our conversation below.

Patrick, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I used to work for a small, volunteer based haunted attraction and I decided to take the risk and drive 2 hours West to work for Fright Fest. I left the comfort of the attraction I had worked at for 6 years to potentially not get hired at Fright Fest. 6 years later, I’m on my 4th year of being in charge of the team that decorates for Fright Fest

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I started in theater and the haunt industry in 2014…that makes me feel old. I now have a BA in Theater from Southern Illinois University(2018) and I am doing live entertainment and haunt as my job. Working at Six Flags for the past 5 years I’ve been lucky to move up really fast. I started as a Scar Actor, then to a Makeup Artist, and now a Managerial Supervisor for our department.
Throughout my theater schooling I was the Scenic Charge Artist for 15/16 productions that were put on while attending school. I have also done 3 professional summer seasons. McLeod Summer Playhouse in Southern Illinois (Scenic Artist,2016) and New Harmony Theater in Southern Indiana (Charge Artist,2017,2018)
My job is never the same day to day and that’s what makes it exciting. Seeing our guests smiles, or hearing their screams, makes it fulfilling. My goal is to always leave someone with a memorable experience.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

The best thing society can do is honestly just show up. When there is a touring show, or a local community theater, or even a high school production, just show up! Being a young creative and hearing that you have a sold out house or that you have a line that’s out the door and down the road to get in makes you want to work harder for those people. Society always kicks down artist but they tend to forget that an artist made the clothing they are wear and designed how their phones look. Art is everywhere and is never going anywhere. Support for the arts, no matter how one chooses to support, will always help rising artists and established artists continue to create and continue to entertain.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My ultimate goal in my journey is to never stop learning. There is always something to learn when it comes to entertainment or the arts. It helps drive me to ultimately build a business plan that I’ve only conceptualized in the past. No one should ever stop learning.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: pbmua96

Image Credits

Blue hair photos(Robbie Edwards Photography)