The annual CalArts Halloween party is a longstanding and legendary tradition of campus life, dating back to 1972. What makes the event truly special is that it’s a labor of love created by students for their peers. In recent years CalArts Halloween has evolved into a themed experience, brought to life by a dedicated class of students.
“At CalArts, celebrating Halloween has been a tradition since our earliest days in Valencia,” President Ravi Rajan explained in a video highlighting the event (watch below). “Stories abound about the parties that would happen annually on campus, but because of student gumption and alumni generosity, it is moved from being a celebration organized by the students to a fully themed, immersive experience that is, of course, celebratory.”
This year’s theme, Twisted Treasures, transported attendees into the hauntingly whimsical world of the Timeless Treasures Toy Store. Upon entering the school, guests were made to feel as though they had become the size of toys, and were trapped inside the shop until the clock struck midnight.
Prior to the party, students took part in an industry walkthrough, where they presented their work to professionals in fields such as production design, animation, and music. The event provided an opportunity to build connections while showcasing the detailed planning and execution involved in producing a large-scale event.
This year’s production was brought to life by a team of more than 30 students taking on roles such as stage designers, art directors, actors, carpenters, music coordinators, costume and makeup artists, animators, lighting specialists, and more. The production team included students from each of the six schools, organized formally as the Themed Events Development Practicum course, co-taught by Assistant Director of Campus Life Cheyenne Knehans and Director of Events Abigail Salling. This year marked the third time Halloween was produced through a class, following last year, and 2020.
Check out a slideshow from the frightfully fun evening below.
