Brookfield Jaycees

For this season's "Behind The Screams" interview, we are talking to the masters of the shock attack, the Brookfield Jaycees. We are with Mr. Greg Jirak, President of the Brookfield Jaycees and one of the masterminds behind the mayhem.

Q: Welcome Mr. Greg Jirak! Throughout the past three decades, the Brookfield Jaycees have been a staple on everyone's haunted house menu each season. For the few of those out there that don't know, how would you describe your show?

A: We are the "In Your Face, around every corner, drop you to the floor, haunted house.

Q: Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe Brookfield JC's haunted house is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. (Congratulations!) As many consider your attraction a "godfather" of the region's industry, what do you feel has enabled your attraction to evolve and survive all these years?

A: Pride, our people take a lot of pride in our house

Q: One of my earliest haunted house memories was at Brookfield Jaycees. I walked into a room decorated like a forest. There was a girl crying on the floor looking for her screwdriver. Of course at that point, a masked monster, wielding a screwdriver, broke out of the wall and chased her and the tour group into the next room. Where do you get your inspiration from when creating the house each year?

A: The love of all things sick and twisted that most of us have.

Q: How many members/volunteers/workers do you have, on average, each season?

A: Around 60 depending on the year.

Q: Ok, I know this is real, because I have seen it with my own eyes. But, how many people have you made "wet their pants"?

A: Sorry, I lost count many years ago.

Q: As many of us know, Brookfield Jaycees have some of the most intense actors in the area. How do you find and prepare your actors?

A: We don't find them, they come to us, but we teach & train them all. Every room in our house gets judged every night with awards at the end for 1st, 2nd, & 3rd place, so it keeps them all on their toes.

Q: What is the farthest away that someone has come to see your show?

A: California

Q: One of the most talked about underground rumors has been Brookfield Jaycees' infamous,  "Adult Hour." People have been mentioning this one for years! Can we ask if it still exists? And for those that don't know, can you tell us the "basic" idea behind it, without putting anyone's neck in the noose?

A: The Adult Hour is when our monsters are let loose they have free rain & go totally crazy.

Q: Has any members of your staff been with the attraction for all 30 years?

A: No, I am the longest running member and I have been here since 1984.

Q: Can you give us a funny moment that happened "behind the scenes" that no one knows about?

A: Last year after the house was closed we were towing the trailers back to storage and all of a sudden there went one of the wheels rolling down the street.

Q: 30 Years is quite a long time! In fact, I would have to guess that it is at least one of the top 2 oldest operating haunted attractions in our area, if not the oldest. What are some of the highlights over the years?

A: As far as I know we are # 2 to the Lombard Jaycees. Over the last 30 years we have had a great time entertaining the people of Brookfield and surrounding areas and I hope we will be here for another 30 years.

Q: One of the easiest observations that can be made about your haunt is that it is one of the scariest around. But, you don't do it with expensive props and new technology. Year after year, one of the techniques you use is the "shock attack." can you explain more?

A: We don't have the money or the resources that the commercial houses have. But we do have the heart, the drive, & the desire to scare the hell out of every one that comes through our house.

Q: Other than your own haunt, what are your favorite haunted houses?

A: Ravens Grin is by far the most bizarre haunted/amusement house I've ever been to.

Q: Ok and now for our "Fatal Five"? Ready?  Besides Haunting, what are your
other hobbies?

A: The Brookfield Jaycees do many community based projects threw out the
year. They are mostly made possible by the funding that the hunted house brings in.

Q:  Favorite Halloween Costume?

A: Vampires

Q: Favorite Horror Movie?

A: A Nightmare on Elm Street

Q: Favorite Horror Villain?

A: Freddy is the MAN

Q: Favorite Musician(s)?

A:  Iron Maiden

Q: Finally, what would like to say to all your fans and everyone that is reading
this interview and considering making the trip to visit your house?

A: We were ranked The Scariest Haunted House in the Chicagoland area last year by the Jaycees. Come on out and see why.

Thank you for your time. We look forward to seeing what the Brookfield Jaycees has in store for us this year! Click for info on Brookfield Jaycees.