High School Student the Mastermind behind Local Haunted House
By: Ashley Hinson
Updated: October 8, 2012
He may not look like it under all that Halloween makeup, but Matthew is your typical 16-year old.
Well sort of, "I'm the lead designer, basically the lead director of the whole haunt as well as get all the actors trained."
This high school student is the mastermind behind Halls of Horror, a 20,000 sq ft haunted house at 1201 84th Street.
Andy Stapp, the head makeup artist, is impressed by Matthew's enthusiasm.
"Matt is excellent and very professional at such a young age it amazes me," Stapp said. "He's very business like."
Kelley Folsom is also a makeup artist for the actors. She said matt's drive is infectious.
"Oh I think Matt is just an amazing kid," said Folsom. "To be so young and to be so driven like he is."
The crew spent weeks putting together the three, different themed, haunted houses.
But Matthew said it's all worth it.
"It gives visitors a really unique experience that's very different," he said. "It's like walking through a horror film."
Matthew said one of the most important parts about having a successful haunted house is training your actors.
"To be an actor in a haunted house you've got to forget who you are completely and just absolutely go crazy," said Stapp. "I mean think of the character you're in and go big."
