Richie Sklar and Erica Woods hold very different positions at Eastern State Penitentiary, but they share a palpable passion for helping to spread the word on what the facility represents. From educating the public on the criminal justice system, to coordinating a yearly haunted attraction, they both bring a #TempleMade mindset to an iconic Philadelphia institution.

For Richie Sklar, TFM '12, and Erica Woods, EDU '14, performing was always an essential outlet. Richie, a theater major, and Erica, who was a performer and dancer throughout high school and college, didn't necessarily expect to end up at the historical landmark Eastern State Penitentiary in the Fairmount neighborhood of Philadelphia. Their roles couldn't be more different, but they've both found ways to use their performing skills to shine in their positions as well as help shed light on important issues.

After graduating with a musical theater degree in 2012, Richie spent some time performing before deciding to find something a little more grounded and closer to home. He gained experience in the museum world and in 2019, Richie found his role as manager of visitor services and retail at the penitentiary. In his role, the key day-to-day activities include managing all of the merchandise and buying for both the daytime and Halloween store, making sure inventory levels are solid, and working with vendors to order more product. He said this year, they've ordered the most amount of new product they've ever had for Halloween. He jokingly added his theater and performing skills aid him in this line of work: "I say working in customer service, I'm using my acting degree every day."

Erica, originally from Detroit, Michigan, said Temple was her first choice for grad school in 2012. She found herself particularly interested in the urban education program, which propelled her to her Master of Education degree in 2014. Working in the Temple Admissions Office until 2015, she then joined Eastern State's Terror Behind the Walls (now Halloween Nights) in 2017 as an actor, after seeing an advertisement in Philly Magazine and spontaneously deciding to audition.

In 2021, Erica was promoted to attractions manager, and now not only gets to use her dance skills performing in the Skeleton Crew dance group but also leads the entire ensemble of performers. Erica prides herself on the ability to help each member of the group find themselves and to figure out what characters they want to be. She attributed this ability to her background in education, saying "everything is a teaching moment." There are over 200 actors that join Halloween Nights each year, and they're trained and encouraged to create their own character persona, with many coming up with names and backstories for their role.

"What I love about the [Eastern State] experience is that it sparks conversations and opens the dialogue." – Richie

"Everyone knows somebody that went to Temple and that connection is super helpful." – Erica

While Richie and Erica have separate—and quite different—jobs at the penitentiary, they're equally excited about this year's Halloween Nights and how it compares to the past Terror Behind the Walls attraction. Richie describes it as a festival-type atmosphere; whereas Terror was more linear point A to point B, this revamped set provides more flexibility and more options. "You can cultivate your experience," Erica said. "We're inviting you to spend the whole evening here." There are now scary and non-scary attractions, as well as educational experiences, and more food and drink options, including #TempleMade vendor French Toast Bites of Lokal Artisan Foods.

For those wondering how Halloween Nights connects to the daytime operation, Erica explained how the larger mission of the prison is now more incorporated into the haunt than ever before, hoping to reach the largest possible audience. She went on to say that the Halloween attraction helps educate the public on what the building stands for and its history, and serves as the penitentiary's largest fundraiser of the year, helping to further the mission.

Richie, who works primarily in the daytime, echoed that sentiment. It's all connected, and the hope is that all the visitors who come for the Halloween attraction will be interested enough in the building's history to return in the daytime, when they're open 365 days a year. "I like to say Eastern State is for everybody," he explained. "Do you like history? Architecture? Art installations? Interested in the topic of mass incarceration? It's all here." The key is to plant the seeds, but not necessarily seed the flower, he added. "What I love about the experience is that it sparks conversations and opens the dialogue."

Both Richie and Erica think positively back to their time at Temple. What Richie loved most is that idea of feeling invested while he was there. As an alumnus, the network is always around him. "I meet Temple alumni all the time," he said, "and it's such a great jumping-off point into getting to know each other and feeling like there's a huge network of us all around the city." Erica feels the same way, stressing just how important it is to make those connections. "It feels like one in four people in Philly has a Temple degree. Everyone knows somebody that went to Temple and that connection is super helpful."

As for their own haunted experiences, Richie said he's heard many stories but hasn't experienced anything personally. He's certainly heard stories though, and added, "I always say that just because I haven't experienced anything doesn't mean that there's nothing there." Erica, however, has had a bit more of personal experience. Channel 8 on their radio used to be for the Infirmary attraction, and there was a particular type of music that would play. Erica said that the attraction is no longer in use, but you can sometimes still hear the music playing on that channel.

Is Eastern State Penitentiary really haunted? Pay a visit and decide for yourself.

Find out more information about Eastern State's daytime operation here and their Halloween Nights attraction here.