“Dr. Taylor Winters, you have been specifically selected to experience a new reality on January 12th, 2019.” –Bl4kM4ss Prelude
This email arrives in my inbox on December 31st, 11:58pm. The clock strikes midnight, the ball drops, people cheer, and couples kiss. But I respond to a mysterious email. Within a few minutes, I am confirmed and am given a time slot to a new immersive horror experience that I know nothing about. With an Instagram that was only formed a few hours prior and displaying only three pictures, I feel nervous. With a hashtag like #burnedalive, I feel scared.
Further emails provide me with a safeword and the often uttered phrase “wear clothes you don’t mind being ruined / destroyed.” The familiarity offers the illusion of comfort–so I arrive at an undisclosed location on the 12th. This will not be my only stop that night.
What unfolded was a combination of immersive theater and extreme haunt that wonderfully interlaced humor with horror. While they asked for no spoilers (this is an ongoing experience), I can say that they innovated on some classic themes and devised some ingenious ways to make an audience member feel truly uncomfortable. While their physicality was on the light side (they call themselves augmented reality over an extreme haunt), this aspect will provide a welcoming experience for those dipping a toe into extreme experiences.
While I went through the entire experience, I am still unsure of who exactly Bl4kM4ss is. But I do know if you want to participate yourself, there’s an opportunity below. Keep reading!
If you want to experience the prelude they have to offer, read below for some details regarding what’s to come from the new extreme haunt collective:
WHO: Bl4kM4ss is augmented reality. They give guests a theatrical immersive experience.
CURRENT SHOW:A Prelude is accepting applications for interested parties.
DATES: February/March – By invitation only.
FUTURE DATES: March 15-17, 29-31, April 5-7, & April 12-14 – By application only; more dates TBA.
COST:A Prelude will be $50 per person for approximately a one-hour solo show.
Contact:[email protected] for an application to be considered for future shows.
Haunting is a resource for immersive theater and horror fans in Los Angeles and across the world, promoting art and community. Want to help us reach even more people, and get some cool perks and experiences? For as little as $1 a month, you can join our Patreon and help us keep bringing content to life.
Taylor has loved immersive theater since his first experience at ALONE in 2013. Since then, he has written, produced, & directed immersive theater, consulted for numerous immersive companies, acted in others, and attended even more. He has his PhD in Bioengineering, an MBA in Organization Leadership, and currently works fixing broken hearts.
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