WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

EXPERIENCE GUIDE

Immersive theater is any kind of live entertainment that brings the audience inside the world of the performance. This can range from an artistic interpretation of a feeling, a real-world scavenger hunt with a curated soundtrack, or a personalized show with actors knowing intimate details of your life. However, Immersive Theater only works if the audience is comfortable and can participate, so understanding whether a show will be a good fit is paramount. This section will provide you with a general road-map: what’s out there, what to expect, and if it might be the kind of show you’re looking for.

Start with the Intensity Guide below, reading each description to determine what level feels most aligned with your desire for wonder or scares. Once you have found a comfortable level, then click on a few of the companies within the intensity to read more about each. This will help set the right expectations for you. If you already know a company you like, then find that company and try others at a similar level. Use this as a tool to build your immersive knowledge and explore this new artform.

Haunting Intensity Rating Scale - Immersive Theater Extreme Haunts Haunted Houses Entertainment Horror

INTENSITY ZERO

For an Intensity score of ZERO, audiences should expect traditional stage shows, non-horror events, or whimsically magical events. These separate audience and actor, don’t include contact, and are creative, fun, literary, or exploratory. These are perfect for first-timers, friends, and parents (I would bring my mom).

AMERICAN
CONTEMPORARY
BALLET

WALK THE
NIGHT

49 BOXES

FORCE OF
NATURE

TWO BIT
CIRCUS MEOW WOLF

INTENSITY ONE

THIRD RAIL

PROJECTS DISCO DINING

CLUB
DOWNTOWN
REPERTORY
THEATER

For an Intensity score of ONE - IMMERSIVE, audiences will immerse themselves in a fictional world with no traditional stage. These experiences utilize real locations, strong production value and amazing actors to evoke emotion, usually with minor interactivity and no touch. These are great gateways into immersive entertainment.

WHISPERLODGE
ROGUE
ARTISTS
ENSEMBLE
THE
UNMARKED
DOOR

CAPITAL
W
SPEAKEASY

SOCIETY

SCOUT
EXPEDITION
CO.
THE
ART
DEPARTMENT
COACT

PRODUCTIONS

INTENSITY ONE

For an Intensity score of ONE - ACTIVATIONS, Audiences can seek out brand activations (experiences) that exist to promote new movies, television shows, products, and more. These can be found at Conventions, stand alone events, or part of premiers. They will reflect brand values and often contain plenty of swag, food, or drinks.

OA EXPERIENTIAL METAFORYOU GIANT SPOON

CAMPFIRE GREAT CO EXPERIENTIAL

SUPPLY CO MYCOTOO MEYER2MEYER

ENTERTAINMENT

INTENSITY TWO

Intensity scores of TWO - IMMERSIVE provide a deeper step into the realm of immersive enterainment. With more interactivity between audience and actor, these experiences promote connection and emotion. Guests can often choose their level of engagement and explore and interact on their own. Audiences may even become a character, with the ability to impact the narrative.

CROSS ROADS

ESCAPE GAMES
SPY BRUNCH

OPTIKA
MODERNA
EPIC

IMMERSIVE E3W

ABC
PROJECT
THEY PLAYED

PRODUCTIONS PUNCH
DRUNK CANDLE HOUSE
COLLECTIVE
DARK

CORNER STASH

HOUSE

CEASELESS
FUN

INTENSITY TWO

For an Intensity score of TWO - HOME HAUNTS, audiences should expect haunted houses located at homes & small businesses. These are passion projects, and may have longer lines, limited runs, and lower cost or are free. These often are more innovative and impressive than larger haunts; but expect similar labyrinthine mazes, jump scares, and group-focus.

HAUNTED

MANSION HAUNT

HAUNTED ROSE HOLLENBECK

HOUSE HAUNT THE HALLOWS

OF GREENTREE HAUNTED DOME
COMMON
GROUND
CEMETERY

DESERT
DECAY
MANOR

FERRIS HAUNT
THE DREICH
SOCIETY

ELM STREET
PRODUCTIONS

COFFINWOOD
CEMETERY BCR: A PLACE TO SCARE CAITLIN MANOR FAIRBROOK

MANOR GERSHON DUNGEON CASA CREEPY

INTENSITY TWO

PUMKIN
JACK'S
HAUNTED
HOUSE MYSTIC

TERROR ROTTEN

APPLE 907

STONEY POINT TERROR IN
T-TOWN MACDEVITT

MANOR

ROSEHILL
HAUNT TERROR ON

LAURA STREET

SPOOKY
HOLLOWS OPECHEE

HAUNT TOWN OF

DEADWOOD
REALM
OF SHADOW INSANE HAUNT PRODUCTIONS
REICHLAND
ASYLUM THE OUTCAST

PENITENTIARY NIGHTMARE CIRCUS

INTENSITY THREE

For an Intensity score of THREE - THEME PARK / ATTRACTION MAZES, audiences can expect themed locations or theme parks that are transformed during the Halloween season & filled with multiple haunted houses or labyrinthine mazes. Each maze sends groups through, often in a conga line, to experience jump scares, which are characterized by loud noises, flashing lights, and sudden movement. However, there is no contact & little to no interactivity between audience & actor. These have some of the best sets of any haunt out there.

COFFIN

CREEK
FEAR FARM

FREAKLING BROS

FRIGHT FEST
LA
HAUNTED
HAYRIDE

KNOTT'S
SCARY FARM
HALLOWEEN
HORROR NIGHTS

DARK HARBOR (CLOSED)

CASTLE
DARK HIGH DESERT

HAUNTED HOUSE

LAS VEGAS HAUNTS

INTENSITY THREE

PIRATE'S

CAVE DARK HARVEST

An intensity score of THREE - HAUNTS is for haunted houses that focus on scares meant for teens and adults (non-family friendly). These haunts contain gore, mature themes, and innovative scares. While they do not contain deep narratives & world-building, stories still elevate each haunt. Most are group experiences, but some are solo experiences with very light touching.

REIGN OF
TERROR

HALLOWS EVE INC
PRISM EXPERIENCES RIZO

SCAREHOUSE HAUNTED HARVEST

HAUNT 223 MANSION OF

LOST SOULS MURDER HOUSE

PRODUCTIONS SANTA ANA

HAUNT
TWISTED DREAMS ALL SAINTS

LUNATIC ASYLUM HAUNTINGTON

BEACH MANOR

INTENSITY FOUR

Intensity scores of FOUR are immersive horror experiences, where guests become an essential part of the story. High interactivity and thrilling moments will result in a sense of dread that goes beyond a jump-scare. These are often group experiences with one-on-one encounters and light contact in service of the narrative.

DELUSION
JUST FIX IT

PRODUCTIONS
PSEUDONYM

PRODUCTIONS

MAJESTIC
REPERTORY
THEATRE

INTENSITY FIVE

Intensity scores of FIVE mark the intersection between non-contact & full contact experiences. This level is characterized by FULL CONTACT experiences in the immersive horror genre. Experiences like this allow audiences to be touched or taken, but this is often in service of a game-mechanic or narrative and is not aggressive or forceful. The horror experiences at this level are mostly group shows, and the solo experiences (you go in alone) are often less scary; instead, inviting participants into a surreal or abstract world, encompassing a full spectrum of emotion.

ZOMBIE JOE'S
UNDERGROUND THEATRE

ALONE (CLOSED)

SHINE ON
COLLECTIVE

INTENSITY SIX

Intensity scores of SIX are experiences that exist in the space between immersive horror (4’s and 5’s) and extreme horror experiences (7’s and above). While not as extreme as extreme horror, these companies often have triggers or content that can be intense for the normal immersive horror participant, such as violence against children. This is not aggressive intensity, but more mental intensity. The companies at this level are also varied in their style and tone, so please do your research to understand the experience you are buying a ticket for before you do so.

FACELESS
VENTURES

GREAT HORROR
CAMPOUT (CLOSED)

INTENSITY SEVEN

Intensity scores of SEVEN signify entry-level EXTREME HAUNTS like The 17th Door and Freakling Bros' Gates of Hell as well as more evocative story-based EXTREME IMMERSIVE HORROR (EIH) experiences like The Experiences or nocent. These experiences will provide an excellent entry point for those looking for a bit more from traditional experiences. The extreme haunt variants will add in minor shocks, full contact and mature themes and are not solo experiences, while the immersive horror experiences will focus more on evoking emotion and enveloping you in a larger world, adding in high levels of personalization.

GATES OF HELL
17TH

DOOR

THE EXPERIENCES

BL4KM4SS nocent

INTENSITY EIGHT

Intensity scores of EIGHT signify theatrical EXTREME IMMERSIVE HORROR (EIH) experiences. These experiences push boundaries by sending participants through alone. They incorporate aggressive contact, nudity (actor and optional participant), sensory deprivation, and fear of the unknown. These are theatrical experiences with simulated torture--and while guests will definitely have their limits pushed, they won't be faced with actual violence and torment.

SANTU

DELIRIA
(CLOSED)

BLACKOUT (CLOSED)

STAG

INTENSITY NINE

For intensity scores of NINE, audiences should expect EXTREME HAUNT and EXTREME IMMERSIVE HORROR (EIH) experiences with a strong narrative focus and increased intensity. These are experiences that aim to push boundaries through the use of physical brutality and aggression, sensory deprivation, visceral imagery, and psychological fear. Some experiences will leave participants with intended marks (scratches, bruises, and beyond), while others achieve this through fear of the unknown. These are usually individual experiences, and we recommend researching these companies before attending.

QUIETUS
HORROR

(BELGIUM)
LA CASA
DE
SATANAS
(CHICAGO)

MIASMA
(CHICAGO) SHOCK
THEATER

(NEW YORK)
HERETIC
(CLOSED)
HVRTING

(CLOSED)

INTENSITY TEN

For an Intensity score of TEN, audiences should expect the most extreme experiences. These are EXTREME HAUNTS that focus on theme over narrative. Guests will individually face all aspects of simulated death: electrocution, suffocation, drowning, physical aggression, and being buried alive. This is not for newcomers and we highly recommend doing a level 9 extreme experience prior to doing one of these events.

THE
VICTIM
EXPERIENCE CASTLE OF
CHAOS

{Not Currently
Recommended)