The NYC Halloween Haunted House is a year-round haunted attraction in New York City. Opened in 2009, the haunted house is designed exclusively for adults 18 and over, and each patron is forced to sign a waiver and walk through the entire experience completely alone. The NYCHHH is known for producing an invitation only off-season spring/summer attraction named the "Midsummer Nightmare", as well as creating controversy with its liberal use of violence and aggressive sexual content. "America's horror magazine" FANGORIA called it a "finely tuned tour de force in terror and a must for horror enthusiasts in the New York City area." And in its 2010 year-end round-up, The New York Times declared the haunted house: "the extreme theater event of the year."
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Haunted House
The NYC Halloween Haunted House is produced by the Vortex Theater Company and created and designed by Josh Randall and Kristjan Thor.
Previous Haunts
The Vortex Theater Company
The Vortex Theater Company was founded in 1983 by playwright, director, and actor Robert Coles and was originally dedicated to the mission of presenting new works by emerging playwrights. In 1984, the company built its performance space in what had been an empty storefront loft at 164 Eleventh Avenue in a then-deserted part of far west Chelsea. In 1985 The Vortex's space was named the Sanford Meisner Theater in honor of the famed acting teacher who was a founding member of the Group Theater. Tony Randall served as master of ceremonies for the naming ceremony and many of Sandy's former students and peers attended, performed, or spoke, including David Mamet, Bob Fosse, Maureen Stapleton, Anne Jackson, Eli Wallach, Diane Keaton, Geraldine Page, Francis Sternhagen. Since that time, the Sanford Meisner Theater has hosted performances by hundreds of different arts groups including not only theater but music, dance, and opera companies as well. Other playwrights and performers whose work has been presented by the Vortex Theater Company include Nicky Silver, Jim Fall, David Greenspan, Patricia Scanlon, Don Nigro, and Bathsheba Doran. Under new leadership since 2004, the Vortex changed its mission and is now committed to creating a diverse range of classical structures reconstructed for a contemporary audience. Focusing on unconventional theatrical experiences, the Vortex has since produced over 20 shows and garnered two Drama Desk Award nominations, and six New York Innovative Theatre Award Nominations.