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- calendar_today October 29, 2026
Unique Immersive Halloween Experience Arrives in Albuquerque
A new kind of Halloween event has taken hold in Albuquerque this October, promising guests a memorable blend of laughter and fright. North Fourth Theatre is hosting "This is a Haunted House," an immersive Halloween experience produced by ShortTerror Productions. Pulling from genres like interactive theatre, haunted houses, and escape rooms, the show invites the audience to become part of the spooky—and comedic—action.
Comedy Horror Meets Audience Participation
Co-director Rusty Rutherford described the show as an opportunity to do something different with the traditional haunted house format. "We kind of wanted to take a different approach to haunted houses and make it more story-driven and narrative-driven," Rutherford explained. Cast members interact directly with attendees, who are encouraged to play along, respond, and even contribute to the unfolding story. As visitors venture further into the haunted house, the atmosphere gets stranger and more unpredictable, combining elements of comedy horror and suspense.
Participation and Storytelling Take Center Stage
Guests play a unique role as "extras" being initiated into the inner workings of the haunted house. But as the orientation continues, it soon becomes clear that there is more to this Halloween event than meets the eye. The experience challenges participants to unravel mysteries and decide: will they escape in time, or be destined to remain forever in the haunted estate?
"The more you play along and get into it and become a character, the more fun you're going to have," said Rutherford, urging guests to arrive with open minds and a willingness to participate.
An Expanding Audience and Special Event Nights
Running from October 9 through October 31, "This is a Haunted House" has seen a steady increase in attendance. Rutherford and the team are hopeful that their immersive halloween experience will reach a crescendo with a sold-out crowd over Halloween weekend. Thursday features a "Splash the Audience" night for those seeking an extra twist.
About the Creative Team Behind the Show
This production marks ShortTerror Productions’ first foray into a haunted house theme, though previous shows have featured zombies, ghosts, aliens, and more. The creative team includes actors, writers, audio technicians, and costume designers, all drawn from the local community—about 30 members total. Rutherford co-directs with Charles Herrera, supported by Jeff Andersen, Katie Farmin, Shannon Flynn, Magdelene Gallegos, Casey Powers, Chris Walsh, and Amy Yourd. "It’s just been a really fun experience working with a bunch of other artists and creative types to put this together," said Rutherford.
Encouraging Live Performance and Human Connection
Rutherford highlighted the importance of live performance and audience participation. "It’s nice to break from the digital stuff… Get out and see real people creating things with their hands, and hopefully entertaining you." The production aims to draw people back into the world of live interactive theatre, offering both entertainment and community connection during the Halloween season.
More Information
Those interested can find further details about this haunted house event and ticketing on the ShortTerror Productions website.
Source: krqe.com.
