Blackout Haunted House Testimonials Part 4: Off Season NYC Winter Haunt (2013) ~ the jaded viewer

Here is Part 4 of the Blackout Survivors testimonials. In this edition, Special K (who wrote a wallkthrough of the 2012 October Haunt) gives us her thoughts about partaking for a second time into their off season haunt. Theater can make quite an impact, and Special K discusses her trials and tribulations in the testimonial below.

Oh what we do for a free t-shirt.

This is the last Survivor review. I'll be posting my own review of Blackout Haunted House's NYC Off Season Winter Haunt at the end of this week.

(I believe it's necessary you get different perspectives of the others who attended well. Collected below and in the upcoming days are reviews and testimonials of some of the brave "Survivors" who dared to go where only a few decided to tread. You'll hear from men and women who decided to attain glorious bragging rights to the horror interactive theater production that is Blackout. Some are hardcore veterans while others are semi new. But all are bizarrely addicted to the adrenaline rush of being the protagonist of their own horror movie.)

****************************************************************

When off season tickets opened up to Blackout's nearly 10,000 strong fan base this year, I was slightly worried. I should have known better. In hindsight it was a brilliant move; we, the fans, had to rely on each other like never before in order to reserve an appointment. And without divulging our secrets I will say this: the morning tickets went on sale, the game had already started. And it wouldn't be over until Blackout decided it should be, and well, (spoiler): it never is...

With less than I week to prepare, my anxiety kicked into overdrive. I had struggled with Spring 2012 and was left questioning my decision to enter into that world again. What if something similar - or worse - was in store? I had to act fast and I had to do it on blind trust. But this addiction has no remedy -- of course I returned. And I'm so glad I gave them another chance -- they blew it out of the water.

I've been sworn to secrecy on specifics, but I will say this: from the moment I stepped inside I knew this chapter was different. When the experience began, I was lulled into meditative bliss by the sights and sounds around me. Going forward, this show hit all my deepest emotional triggers: embarrassment, eroticism, humor, fear, tenderness and nostalgia.

There was a moment that at one time in my life would have sent me into a petrified panic. I didn't enjoy it, but the fact that I allowed it to unfold was huge. These people have already seen me naked, at my most vulnerable, and there's nothing worse. Sometimes you don't really know what you're capable of until you no longer have a choice. The fact that I got past this without too much struggle was intensely liberating.

Another moment touched so close to home it made me second guess whether this was still a show or a real life memory - and nearly made me cry.

The entire experience was cinematic and story driven. One of the magical things about Blackout is their ability to transport each participant into another world. You lose yourself in there - anything that troubles you on the outside no longer exists. Perhaps more powerful, things that should trouble you on the inside, no longer do. It's pure survival. An opportunity to be completely absorbed in the moment like this is healing and trans formative. The pressure is on, it's all about you - but these actors are so talented, you forget all of that.

This is no longer a haunted house. It has evolved into theatre in its most raw, vital form. Prior to Blackout, I enjoyed going to shows but there was always a disconnect. I couldn't relate characteristics of myself to an actor who was confident and comfortable in the spotlight.

By redefining what it means to be an audience member, Blackout has made a believer out of this horror chick turned theater fan. In here, those lines blur. The actors are with you. And sometimes they're even more than that. In here, you almost feel like you're one of them. And they're one of you.

"I find myself in the middle of an eye, watching myself in its blank stare."

This year, after the adrenaline wore off (spoiler: it took days) I was left with a haunting sense of peace. This show was brilliantly, beautifully horrific and tugged at my heartstrings with it's poignant, existential intimacy. It meant a lot to me, Blackout. I can't wait to see where the story takes us next.

-Special K

Were you one of the lucky Survivors? Want to share your thoughts to the world. Facebook or tweet me your review (no spoilers please).

****************************************************************

Blackout Haunted House NYC 2013 Off Season Haunt Testimonials