Tina Parker got some practice for her role screaming through The Final Destination by starring in Kitchen Dog Theater's Psychos Never Dream alongside Sean Hennigan.

When The Final Destination hits screens on Friday, local audiences may recognize one of the horror flick’s terrified players. KERA’s Stephen Becker talks with the Dallas actress about what it takes to be a professional screamer.

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Tina Parker has a perfectly lovely speaking voice.

Locals have heard it when Kitchen Dog Theater’s co-artistic director acts in the company’s shows.

But for her role in The Final Destination, Parker was asked to take that voice and shred it.

PARKER: “So I did it, and it went for a while. We were on a sound stage in New Orleans, and it was so loud that it scared one of the workers and he dropped a board. So it was a good time. I got applause after it.”

Parker’s role in the film is relatively small – she was only on the set for three days. She plays a beauty salon manager who witnesses a character making a rather grizzly exit.

For the self-proclaimed horror-movie buff, it was a nightmare come true.

PARKER: “I might end up with some CGI splatter on me depending on what the splatter pattern is!”

But what exactly makes for a terror-inducing, blood-curdling scream?

Parker says hers has a number of qualities.

PARKER: “It’s loud, it’s long, it’s … psychotic? I don’t know how to describe it other than that. I can scream for a really long time.”

REPORTER: “Is this a talent you’ve always had?”

PARKER: “Yes, it is. You can ask my mother.” [13 seconds]

That’s true – we could. But why not get it straight from the screamer’s mouth?

Are you ready? … Brace yourself.

In 3 … 2…

Tina Parker stars in Kitchen Dog Theater’s season-opening production of Vigils.