Sequim's House Of Fear

Booby-trapped sets of horror await residents

By AMANDA WINTERS

Sequim Gazette

Rosie von Engel walked nimbly down the narrow concrete stairs into

a dark, cold basement, clinking together chains hanging from the doorway as she entered a room where a corpse lay partially covered by a bloodied sheet on a table.

"This is Doctor Danger's research room," von Engel, a stage designer, proclaimed proudly.

The room, filled with frightening faces, is just the beginning of a

12-year collection of Halloween props amassed by von Engel. Aside from the research room there is also the Alchemist's Alley, Transylvania Station, Gone Away Graveyard, Feast of Fiend's Banquet of Blood and more.

"You don't find

props like this for Christmas," von Engel said as she stood among the fiends feasting around a table covered in body parts.

Von Engel and Elena Karr both worked for weeks setting up the props to create the haunted house at Olympic Theatre Arts. The haunted house is a chance to showcase the talents of people who normally work behind the scenes of theater events, von Engel said.

Karr has spent six years as a costumer, stage manager and prop designer with OTA.

"Can you imagine the kind of mind that collects all these things?" she asked jokingly.

People will be directed through the haunted house after entering the basement and as they proceed from room to room they should be prepared for surprises - the sets are booby-trapped, von Engel said.

Witches, bats, owls, mice and more line the hallways, shelves and benches.

"The universe wants us to look at our fears and find them imaginary," she said, adding that people should feel exhilarated once they reach the end. "It's a delight for the eye even though it's scary."

The House of False Evidence Appearing Real (FEAR) opens at 6 p.m. on Oct. 27 at Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave. It will be open from 6-10 p.m. on Oct. 27-28, 7-10 p.m. on Oct. 29, 2-5 p.m. on Oct. 30 and 5-8 p.m. on Oct. 31. Tickets are $4 for ages 18 and older; $3 for ages 13-17; and $2 for ages 7-12, who must be accompanied by an adult. Children younger than 7 are

not allowed.