2006
Upon pulling into the Dent Schoolhouse parking lot, it became obvious that there had been lots of changes made since our last visit in May. Wood for the exterior graveyard fence was piled up at the north end of the structure, huge banners featuring The Janitor festooned the building and the ticket booth, and a large yellow schoolbus was pulled up alongside the south end. But there was something eerily familiar about this particular bus...
...and it soon became obvious why. Uncle Charlie (The Janitor), The Dent Schoolhouse's signature character, hobbled over to the rear of the bus, pulled open the door, and started yelling at the occupants to get their sorry butts out, now! And this was no ordinary group of unruly kids. First out was Granny, infamous for her chainsaw baby. Next was Mr. Grimm, who is never without his pair of oversized 'pruning shears'. And finally, jumping down from the back was Cincinnati's most notorious evil haunt clown, Bludzo!
Yes, it's true...the Nightmare Estates crew has now joined the faculty at THE Haunted House. As most regular readers of the HOD!!! know, the Estates crew escaped from Hellverton Asylum and after driving around for months looking for a new home in the Nightmare Estates Schoolbus (and for those of you interested-yes, it DOES run and drove to the schoolhouse on its own power) stopped at the Dent Schoolhouse for directions to the nearest mortuary. The Janitor saw right away they 'wuz my kind of folks'. Since the Dent Schoolhouse is expecting thousands of new students in October, he hired them on the spot. No doubt Granny will be teaching Home Ec (or is that Eccchhhh?) when she's not teaching shop, Mr. Grimm will be roaming around as groundskeeper, and Bludzo will be teaching performing arts (such as blood filled balloon animals).
The next five hours basically became the 2nd Cincinnati Haunt Gathering, and was the most enjoyable time I've ever spent at a haunt. Granny and Mr. Grimm also emerged later on with their Cletus and Zeke act, which was one of the most hilarious things I've ever seen. Some of the best haunting stories around were exchanged and Bud Stoss of 1031 showed that the bell tower really does have a bell in it.
So what brought the Estates crew to the Dent Schoolhouse (besides the bus, that is)? Randy Patterson, Director Of Actors at the Estates (who will also hold that position at Dent) explained. "After it became obvious that we weren't going to be able to put on Nightmare Estates this year, I felt I owed it to the actors to find a venue for them. We had been in contact with Bud from 1031 through the Cincy Haunts project (Bud was putting together the new website for Nightmare Estates-sadly, it's ready, but will likely not see the light of day). After talking to 1031 Productions, we thought our group and Dent would be a perfect match. They've put together a haunt with a level of detail I've never seen before, and we could bring them a group of the best actors in Cincinnati to staff it with. Along with the talented creatures they already have, we are not going to have a problem with the acting end of things this year". Virtually all of the Estates actors will be working at the Schoolhouse in addition to the three here tonight.
Donnie Thornton of the Estates still holds the rights to the Estates name. He hopes to be able to put together an event next year that will hold up the proud tradition of the haunt. Despite what you may have heard elsewhere, Donnie, Randy, and the Estates actors are still best of friends.
Well, the addition of the Estates crew to THE Haunted House is big news all on its own. But 1031 Productions has done far more than that since our last visit. Josh Wells and Chuck Stoss took the HOD!!! on a tour of the event and there were big changes there as well. Rooms that were already hyper-detailed had yet even more added to them. Blackboards in the classroom sections of the haunt were filled to the max with detailed scientific notations, menus, punishments, and madman's ravings. Josh says that "Everything's been put together except for two rooms-the Hillbilly Room and a Vampire Castle, and everything is new besides the vortex tunnel (and even that has a new twist). Just in the last few weeks we've done the Egyptian Tomb, the Asylum, Werewolf Woods, and our large clown area. We're going through the rooms being built and adding more to them as well. We'll probably still be doing it five minutes before opening!". You could tour the Schoolhouse 50 times and still discover something new every time through. The level of room dressing is unmatched from floor level to ceiling.
Chuck Stoss filled us in on the marketing plans for the event. "We've got WEBN back as our radio partner this year, which should bring a lot back to the luster of the event. There are plans for our group to make a special appearance at a major event in a few weeks (the HOD!!! will have more on that when the deal is finalized). We're part of Cincy Haunts and we're getting ready to put up the new site for that. Although the Estates had to drop out of Cincy Haunts, we've added Sandyland Acres. We're now a featured haunt on ScaryOhio.com . Media night will be the 23rd and WEBN is catering that for us. We'll be doing ticket giveaways (yes, The HOD!!! will be part of that with a 'THIS BLUD"S FOR YOU' promo) and several publicity stunts (rumor is that a certain Fearless Leader will see if he can survive a night locked in the basement of the old Schoolhouse). Yesterday, Randy Patterson found an old newspaper article from around 80 years ago when this place really was a school. It turns out that the man who financed this school along with another was buried on the grounds of one of the houses (true story). We'll be having extensive line entertainment this year centered around the schoolbus, which will be out front. The best results we've seen so far, though, have been from our reworked website". Bud has put together a new site that features as the centerpiece the Dent Gazette, which features fabricated old newspaper articles dealing with the bloody history of Uncle Charlie and the school. It has been extremely popular with web-surfers, many of which have mistaken the articles as factual! Along other marketing schemes, there are also plans for more extensive cross-promotion among area haunts in the years to come.
And how do the actors feel about their new home? Well, Mr. Grimm was literally foaming at the mouth over it. Bludzo has his own elevated stage within the clown area from which he can now hold court, and Bud was seen tempting the homicidal clown with a large bottle of his favorite stage blood. Cletus and Zeke will have their own evil hillbilly room that features an 'aw-thenic moonshine still' and license plates Grandpa made in prison. It's almost like these rooms were made with the Estates characters in mind. And the Janitor still controls everything from his basement lair. Uncle Charlie's basement home is a creepy place and strange things happen there. While shooting video, we had not one but THREE camcorder batteries go dead within a minute. And when reviewing the video we did get, it took several times to get it to display. We don't believe in ghosts or evil spirits, but sometimes you have to wonder...
From the first day 1031 Productions took over control of the Dent Schoolhouse, it's been in good hands. With an excellent venue, top of the line scenes, detailing, and props, well thought out marketing, and now the best group of actors a haunt could want, it has the potential to be the best attraction the area has ever seen. Make sure to put this event at the top of your list to see this fall!
2006
THE DENT SCHOOLHOUSE-A Learning Experience!
Chuck Stoss of the Dent Schoolhouse was holding forth on the impossibility of getting everything finished that was planned for the house. "We've been working on it since last November, and there're still things we didn't have time for. The Rock 'N Roll room was going to be made into a pirate ship. We were going to install a thunder/lightning machine in the cemetery outside. And...". Just about that time a lage flash of lightning lit up the sky and a peal of thunder shook the room. It seemed that Mother Nature was trying to help out the Schoolhouse! But what effect would this sudden deluge have on the opening night crowd? "Well," said Josh Wells of 1031 Productions, "in the hour and a half we've been open we've already done more business than the entrie opening night from last year". A glance out the window shows that the rain actually seems to be drawing bigger crowds-the groups crossing the street from the parking lot are getting bigger and bigger (and, after all, the queue line is covered so they'll all stay dry).
Only a year ago, Josh and his partner Bud Stoss of 1031 Productions were working on their home haunts and trying to work out a deal that would see their dream come true. THE Haunted House, a classic Cincinnati attraction that first opened its doors in 1979, had fallen on hard times. Health problems had taken their toll on the organizers of the event, and it had been steadily slipping in quality for many years. The last few years of operation, no changes had been made in the event and the props and scenery had become very run down. It was likely that 2005 would have been the event's last year. Josh and Bud heard about this and went to see if a deal could be worked out for some of the building's props. Instead, the two (along with Bud's father Chuck Stoss) ended up buying the event.
Josh and Bud had met several years back and have been longtime friends of The HOUSE OF DOOM!!!. They formed 1031 Productions and put together Nightmare Manor and the Majestic Nightmare home haunts in northern Kentucky. These were not your ordinary home haunts-they were huge, highly detailed events that sprawled across their respective neighborhoods (and it must have been great to have such excellent neighbors!). It was easy to see that at some point, the two were going to become successful pro haunters. Instead of rushing into a bad situation where they would be destined for failure, they waited for the right opportunity. Finally, the Dent Schoolhouse became available. The two had the advantage of being able to work with the organizers during last year's event, immersing themselves in all areas of operation and getting practical experience and guidance with the business end of things before the event changed hands. The Schoolhouse actually was a learning experience for Josh and Bud!
The day after the sale was complete (November 1 of last year), Bud and Josh began trucking their massive amounts of props and equipment to the event and began to make plans. The first order of business was to change the haunt as much as possible. The lack of changes to it over the last few years had caused the attendence to decrease dramatically. It was decided to completely gut the haunt, tearing out practically everything and rebuilding from scratch. The second order of business was to take advantage of THE Haunted House's unique venue-the creepy old Dent Schoolhouse, which (naturally) had originally been a schoolhouse before it housed a boat refitter (among other occupants). It was decided to focus the theming for their event around this schoolhouse theme (something which had only been done half-heartedly once by the previous owners). To this end, a backstory was created for the house focusing on the character of Charlie McFree, the homicidal janitor who still lurks in the labyrinth of the basement. The story goes that the schoolhouse was the site of several student disappearances over the years, none of whom were ever found. However, when finally someone thought to examine the passages and tunnels under the building, their remains turned up everywhere-stuffed inside walls, bricked up, inside a defunct coal chute-anywhere Charlie could find room. To this end, Bud also completely redid the event's website. The Dent Gazette, a phony vintage newspaper with stories from the time of the slayings, was the centerpiece of the new site. It has proven to be quite popular and based on the emails it receives, some people believe the stories to be true!
All of the rooms actually located within the Schoolhouse carry through on this theme. There's the Dent Schoolbus parked out front (full of undead children and a driver screaming at them to sit down), a cemetery located outside for the proper internment of Charlie's victims (although they don't seem to stay buried for long), the Principal's office, the nurse's office (complete with a thrashing open-brained student), a locker room, several class rooms, a library (with shaking shelves and a librarian with a point to make), the Preschool, Science Lab, kitchen, and cafeteria. Only after going through all this does the hauntgoer descend to the basement, where he encounters Charlie's lair. There are remains of past victims everywhere, huge sliding metal doors, barrels of waste, boilers, furnaces, cages, and Charlie's roach infested bedroom. All of these rooms are detailed to the max and feature outstanding lighting. The use of sound is particularly impressive. Each room has its own custom background sound. A highlight are the quirky songs from the 40's and 50's that play in Charlie's lair.
When (and if) the hauntgoer passes through Charlie's home, he exits into the infected world that has grown up around the twisted goings-on inside the Schoolhouse. There're homicidal down-home folks, an old mansion that houses vampires, a museum where the Egyptian exhibit has come to life, the Dent Asylum, a coffin warehouse, funeral parlor and morgue, along with a large circus that has set up its tents at the edge of a werewolf infested woods. They all feature the same loving attention to detail and presentation.
Another facet that Josh and Bud wanted to improve on was the acting. While THE Haunted House had many fine actors already, there were also a lot of dead spots. One day, help arrived aboard a large yellow school bus from another local legendary haunt-Nightmare Estates. The Estates was unable to put together a haunt for the second year in a row, and the actors were a bit restless (as creatures are apt to be). A deal was worked out between 1031 and Randy Patterson, the former Nightmare Estates director of actors who now holds that postion at Dent. The ranks of the Schoolhouse's actors were now swelled by what most consider the best core group of haunt actors in the Tri-State. Finding a new home were Bludzo T. Clown, Mr. Grimm (aka Crazy Mike), Granny, Cletus and Zeke, along with many other icons of the local haunt scene. On this evening, Bludzo was a wired ball of frenzied activity, obviously enjoying his new center stage room, and was even handing out bloody autographed photos (whether or not the intended victim wanted them!). Mr. Grimm was in a straightjacket inside the asylum, where he lamented the loss of his head chopping mega scissors. He did confide in us that he had taken up a new hobby-he now makes hand puppets out of his own feces, but for some reason they don't speak English!
In a new development, there was also a group of actors from another area haunt-the Dungeons Of Delhi. Damien Reaper, Fatso The Clown, Wolf Girl, and others were stalking the area of the Underworld. This is an offshoot of another one of Bud and Josh's projects-the creation of Cincy Haunts, a teaming up of several area haunts for promotional purposes. Besides the Schoolhouse, the group currently boasts the USS Nightmare, Sandyland Acres Haunted Hayride, St. Rita's Haunted House, and Dungeons of Delhi. While the group has had some growing pains, it also has had successes such as the First Annual Cincinnai Haunt Gathering (where the Janitor freaked out the normies at a local marina).
Of course, the premier actor and center of attention at the Schoolhouse is Charlie the Janitor. We here at The HOUSE OF DOOM!!! have the rare honor of calling him 'Uncle Charlie'. Strangely enough, you never seem to see him and Bud together-but this night, we hadn't seen Charlie at all. We were enjoying the hospitality of the Schoolhouse upstairs and that all changed. While we were talking to Randy and Jim from Haunted Cincinnati along with Chuck Stoss, Charlie shuffled into the back of the room and began to empty trash cans. When quizzed how his night was going, he said there had been "Plenty of cleanin' and killin'...mostly killin'". He also showed off his favorite killin' tools, which hang from his 'utility belt'. "I also have a travelin' version with less tools...gotta keep it light". While Charlie probably won't like me giving his secrets away, he also carries bubble gum in it and a bathroom brush he uses to scrub his teeth.
Charlie is quite the striking character. His head looks for the world like a set of professional Hollywood appliances-but in fact, it's the best mask you're ever likely to see. It's 100% believable even up close in complete daylight, and worth every bit of the $500 price tag.
On the marketing front, the Schoolhouse has also resumed its relationship with local powerhouse radio station WEBN. The Schoolhouse crew even took over the stage at the recent Riverfest event, giving most Cincinnatians their first look at the event.
The Schoolhouse became one of the most anticipated and hyped events in the Cincy haunt scene during the recent off season. Based on the screams coming from inside the event along with crowds that even a deluge couldn't dampen, it seems to have lived up to its promise. The Dent Schoolhouse has indeed been a learning experience-both for the creators and for those of us wanting to see the transformation of this great event!
2007
THE DENT SCHOOLHOUSE-Uncle Charlie's Star Turn!
While crossing the street from the parking lot to the Dent Schoolhouse, a series of eardrum bursting, disturbing screams pierced the night. These weren't your garden-variety haunt patron screams-they sounded like they escaped from a soul in real, mortal agony. Things all became clear when we reached the queue line for the event. There were several TV monitors and a projection unit set up around the periphery of the line. On the big screen, 'Uncle' Charlie McFree (the Dent Schoolhouse's resident janitor and mass murderer) was using his trusty monkey wrench on a trussed-up trespasser! Batter up! Yes, dear old Uncle Charlie has made the leap from haunt icon to scion of the silver screen-a real star turn!
That's only the first of the changes that visitors to this year's Dent Schoolhouse can expect to see. Owners Josh Wells, Bud Stross, and Chuck Stross (Bud's dad) along with the Schoolhouse's director of actors Randy Patterson (formerly of Nightmare Estates) filled us in on some of the others. Josh started out by ticking off the list of expanded, changed, or all new areas. "We've added two entirely new areas to the end of the tour-the Backwoods Shack and the Junkyard. That way, we were able to use a real gas powered chainsaw rather than the 'effects' chainsaw we used the past few years. New for this year is the Shop area (full of grisly abused power tools, including a power table saw), Bludzo's Funhouse (even though it's still spelled 'Bloodzo' on the sign-the Funhouse includes many of the event's best effects), the Auditorium (with the zombielike Prom King and Queen), the Shifting Swamp, the Restroom (thankfully, you won't find Mr. Mittens in the stalls), the Chestburster, and a reworked Cafeteria (with the biggest dead pig you're likely to see). We've also expanded the Schoolhouse themed areas-they now go all the way until you enter the woods. There was more detail added along with other changes made to the scenes we carried over." The event also purchased the remnants of the original Nightmare Estates. "That really caused a few problems around here," laughed Chuck. "The truck hauling it in took down a bunch of power lines while pulling into our lot and knocked out power to all kinds of businesses in the area." Even stored inside a truck, the Estates just couldn't stop itself from wreaking havoc! Turns out the local cable company had been cheating on leaving clearance space while hanging their lines, and had to come out and redo the whole mess.
Bud and Josh are the ultimate home haunter success story. After several years of producing the best home haunts in the nation in Fort Thomas and forming 1031 Productions, the two took over the Dent Schoolhouse (then known as THE Haunted House, a local dark attraction that had been running since 1979) in 2006 and totally reworked the entire event, making it once again a huge hit with local hauntgoers. Josh said "The most important thing I've learned in the last year is how to deal with people-how to listen to them, work with their ideas, and keep everyone involved and happy. The technical part of things was easy-we had done our research, knew the codes (the haunt was called "the safest haunt I've ever seen" by a State Fire Inspector), and then when we brought Randy on board, his experience in running the day to day operations of a haunt were a tremendous help". The Schoolhouse has rooms with detail that is second to none with excellent lighting and sound to further enhance the scenes.
Randy chimed in with the improvements made in the School's faculty. "We've added several well-established actors from the Dungeons Of Delhi, such as Damien Reaper, Fatso The Clown, and others. With the actors we picked up last year from Nightmare Estates (Bludzo, Granny, Mr. Grimm, and more) along with the returnees from the previous owner's event, we have the most experienced and seasoned group I've ever worked with. We've been able to skip the basics and concentrate more on developing the actor's characters and working with them on their improv skills. The quality of our people really shows through in the finished product-they BECOME these characters. They're not breaking character, talking on cell phones, ignoring the customers-they're focused on what they're there to do. While we have animatronics, our actors play off them the way they're meant to-to set up a scare, not to provide them. Animatronics don't scare anyone by themselves-it's all about your actors."
How does Damien Reaper, long time resident of the Dungeons Of Delhi, feel about his new…err…digs? "Damien Reaper HAD to go to Dent Schoolhouse! It was time for a big change-along with Fatso The Clown, The Mortician and Jake Rouse, I left to go to a great haunt to join Dent's Greats like
Bludzo The Clown , The Janitor, Fruit Loop,
Dr. Helldrake, Dr. Fun, The ShopKeeper, Skittles, Ruffles, The Librarians and new monsters like The Creep and The Lunch Lady.
And we are like a really freaky family-Damien Reaper working for The Big Dogs Josh Wells, Bud and Chuck Stross, and Randy Patterson. It has brought a new sprit within me and a Big Thanks goes to them from myself and making me feel like I'm at home."
Speaking of imports from other haunts, what's Cincy's most visable one, Bludzo T. Clown, up to this year? Well, he's holding court with several equally demented Klowns in his Big Top Of Terror (including a cute and feisty girly clown along with Fatso The Clown of Delhi fame). Bludzo confided to us that it's downright shocking how many people have trouble traversing the first corridor of his 'Mouth Of Madness' Funhouse-and that's before they hit the Klownstrophobia Korridor. He then began to mumble that this better be the year newspaper writers and haunt crtics spell his freakin' name right. This was followed by his trademark blood spew amid a chorus of laughter from his large-shoed Kohorts of Klowndom. Since the blood spew is usually followed by Bludzo looking for a refill (and Parky from Parky's Farm wasn't around), we decided to move along at that point.
The creators of the Schoolhouse haven't neglected any facet of their event. They worked with top-rated radio station WEBN to promote the event at Riverfest and also hosted the Second Annual Greater Cincinnati Haunter's Gathering (watch for news of the third on the HOD-they're usually held in July). Hauntgoers can play 'Bonehole' and win a unique Dent Schoolhouse Cornhole Set. The posters and flyers for the event are well done, full color works of art. The Schoolhouse's website is easily the best haunt website in town-it features a well done retro intro (similar in style to the one formerly used by the Baxter Avenue Morgue) along with a related site that presents Charlie's killings as fact, complete with faux news clippings and photos. There's a cool souvenir shop at the end of the tour with well done T's in not just one design but two-you can choose Charlie's handsome mug or a full color screen of the house itself (don't tell Charlie, but we chose the Schoolhouse!). Parking is FREE. That alone is enough to endear them to us! And of course, there's that cool video…
Earlier in the year, a group of amateur filmmakers had shot a short mystery film using some of the scenes in the Schoolhouse as sets (and won some awards in the process). In appreciation, they came down and shot Uncle Charlie's film debut. In it, Bud Stross (Charlie's alter ego, a rare case of a haunt owner also performing in the event) gives a short history of the house and the murderous goings-on. Three local kids break into the Schoolhouse to get a look at the scenes of Charlie's murderous doings. Bad idea-Charlie is still lurking inside his basement hideaway and takes them down one by one. The dispatching of the last victim is particularly well done, as Charlie forms a meaningful relationship with his power drill and uses it to make an impression on one of the youngsters. He then hangs him up by the hands and proceeds to 'commence to whackin' on him with tools from his 'utility belt'. It runs about 15 minutes and is easily as entertaining as the slasher movies the HOD!!! used to catch at the drive-in during the 80's. Charlie graciously took time out from his busy schedule of dodging celebrity photographers and homicide detectives to speak on his long-deserved star turn. "Well, sometimes you just have to take a chance and step outside yourself to catch your dreams. The film gave me a chance to realize the real inner me-to show the real tortured soul and the rage that lies beneath us all-it allowed me to make a statement on the human condition. The emotion, the blood, the gore...it all speaks to me."
Well, OK, what he REALLY said was "It was a good chance to teach those smart aleck kids a lesson!". His newfound fame hasn't affected Charlie a bit-he's still the same humble soul he's always been, and you don't even need to call him Chaz. When asked if the lure of a film career could take him away from his post as Dent's Custodian, Charlie replied "I thought about it. But at the end of the day, it's still all about cleanin' and killin'. Sometimes you just connect with the red stuff. You could say it's my forte..." Charlie then abrutly broke off the interview to shuffle back into the basement of the Schoolhouse. Despite Uncle Charlie's star turn, he looks like he will be heading up the cast of the Dent Schoolhouse for years to come!
The Dent Schoolhouse is located at 5963 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45248. It is open Friday through Sunday from September 21 through October 28 along with Wednesday, October 31. Hours are 7:30-Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7:30-10 all other days. Ticket prices are $12 (or an optional $18 Fast Pass) with discount coupons available at Frightsite.com, ScaryOhio.com, or CincyHaunts.com. This year, parking is free! For more information call (513) 598-4600 or visit http://www.frightsite.com .
2008
THE DENT SCHOOLHOUSE: Maggot Cum Laude!
Earlier this year when the Midwest Haunter's Convention bus tour came to town, The Dent Schoolhouse was put to the ultimate test-peer review. Members of the haunt industry from across the nation (not to mention other countries as well) toured the old brick building on Harrison Avenue on June 12, in effect giving it a "Final Exam". When the "grades" were unveiled, it became clear that the event passed with flying colors. Comments such as "the best I've seen in 20 years of haunting" and "I'm coming back in the fall (from Canada, no less)"ť were the norm, and the crew of 1031 Productions (Josh Wells, Bud Stross, and Chuck Stross) was overwhelmed by the enthusiasm of the responses. What made it even more amazing is that the event was in the middle of its annual rebuild, with many rooms only half complete. In the parlance of haunting, it became obvious that the former home haunters of 1031 had graduated with honors-Maggot Cum Laude!
Local hauntgoers have the opportunity to experience an even better version of the event that wowed everyone back in June. What was half finished then is now complete, although as Josh and Chuck make a casual pass through the haunt they're already planning changes and improvements for next year. "Next year, we're going to take you inside and through the cabin in the woods rather than just past it", says Josh. "We also plan to have a swamp to go through after you leave it. We want to have an outdoor playground off the coach's office that will end up leading you back inside. Then there's..."ť Hey, guys, slow down! It isn't even October yet-let's enjoy the incredible attraction that's on display now!
Most large haunts that operate out of a fixed location (as opposed to purpose built modular haunts, tents, or outdoor events) don't tend to change much from year to year. It's the trade-off of operating in a real building-the scenes are rendered much more believable and realistic, but also have creative and practical restrictions imposed upon them. However, at Dent, they've completely changed about 50% of the rooms-and upgraded many of the ones left over. Josh and Chuck (along with their expert Tuesday night work crew) begin working on the event every year in January and continue all the way up until opening night. There's also impromptu construction to repair unexpected damage-like the three dozen or so shingles that came off the roof in one big chunk during the recent windstorm. When they're not actually at the house, Josh and Chuck can be found haunting local antique shops and flea markets searching for furniture and other items to dress the scenes with an appropriate 'period' look. The results of this scavenging can be glimpsed in scenes like the brand new Auto Shop-not only did they remove some walls to put a real vintage automobile in there, but it LOOKS (and even SMELLS) like a cluttered old gas station garage that hasn't been cleaned in years. There are dozens of old license plates on the wall, tools, pegboards, gas and oil cans, creepers, oil drums, fencing, diagnostic equipment, car batteries, chargers-and lots more. This loving attention to detail is on display in every room in the schoolhouse-the Science Lab (also new) has dozens of displays, pieces of functioning electrical equipment, aquariums with animals and experiments, loads of severed heads, an operating table complete with monster, cages...too much to take in during one tour. Or two...or three. The HOD!!! has been through a dozen times or more, and I would say we've barely registered half of what there is to see. Most of the changes have been made to the basement of the haunt, with around 75% of the rooms being new. Besides the Auto Shop and the Science Lab, new rooms feature the Gym, Coach's Office, Athlete's Locker Room, a grisly workshop brimming with evil tools of pain, the Scrub Room, the Detention Hall (watch out for that damned barbed wire), Charlie's Lair, and the PTA Carnival. Charlie's Lair has been greatly expanded, now containing the areas where he would work on his victims-many of whom (or at least what's left) are still suspended on hooks from the ceiling or lying flayed on a workbench. There are also plenty of loose power cables down here, wildly thrashing and throwing out sparks. The PTA Carnival is jaw-dropping. There are game booths and attractions staffed by the craziest group of haunt klowns in the world, and will stop you dead in your tracks as you attempt to take in all the detail. While the first floor of the attraction hasn't seen quite as much renovation, the Art Room and Music Room will jar hauntgoers who have become accustomed to the layout of the classrooms. Some of the art on display is quite disturbing, not to mention copious-after all, why have 3 or 4 pieces of artwork when you can have 3 dozen?
When they're not actually working on the haunt-Josh and Chuck enjoy hanging out there. The 'trophy room' upstairs contains many collectors' masks on display inside the locked glass cabinets, and there are piles of haunt related books, merchandise catalogs, posters, and flyers. The costume, mask, and tools of the trade for 'Charlie Prime' (Charlie McFree, the homicidal school janitor that is the focal point of the Schoolhouse's backstory) are here. Several posters from the event over the years (from its early days at Our Lady of Visitation on Werk Road to Forest Fair Mall to the present) decorate the walls as well as several different T-Shirt styles. One interesting display has a framed T-Shirt from 1031's first year of running the event (2006) surrounded by the signatures of the entire cast of actors. The room also is the online ticket center for the event, and a great place to sit down and talk haunts. Even the restroom is themed-the reading material there isn't of the 'men's magazine' variety, but haunt related publications such as '13th Hour' magazine.
But of course, there's far more to Dent than just 1031 and the fantastic sets they provide. There's also the blood and guts of the haunt-the actors who bring the scenes and characters to life (or death, as the case may be). The Schoolhouse has assembled a group of haunt actors from some of the best attractions in the Tri-State and has many of its longtime signature characters roaming the halls. There are actors from the days before 1031 took over (when it was known as THE Haunted House), actors from the sadly defunct Nightmare Estates (generally regarded as having the best group of haunt actors in Tri-State history), more from The Dungeons of Delhi, and from other events as well. Five years ago you would have had to go to three different haunts to see local haunt characters The Janitor, Bludzo T. Klown, and Damien Reaper-but now you can see them collected under one roof. The Director of Actors is Randy Patterson, who held that position at Nightmare Estates. He has been instrumental in keeping the actors involved, focused, and motivated-part of which involves developing the backstory and identities of the different characters. If that wasn't enough, the Nightmare Estates actors even brought along the iconic School bus from their haunt and parked it out front to help keep a steady flow of students going-it seems Charlie goes through them pretty quickly!
As a result, Dent is loaded with memorable recurring characters. We've already mentioned Charlie The Janitor (who has a habit of showing up several places at once) along with Bludzo (the often imitated but never duplicated blood spewing, set destroying haunt klown who after over 10 years in the business STILL gets his name spelled wrong) and Damien Reaper. There's also Skittles (who climbs up and down the walls of the Klown Maze-upside down), Dr. Helldrake (in the morgue), Dr. Creep (in the Science Lab), cutey Calliope (the way-too-happy female clown in the Carnival), Fatso (large and in charge in the Carnival), the Librarian, the School Nurse, the Hellbillies, and a whole bunch of others I don't know the names of. They don't stand around. They don't break character. They don't wear down as the night goes on. They DO follow in your footsteps, appear from nowhere, breathe down your neck, engage in all sorts of crazy antics, have interactive ad lib conversations with hauntgoers, threaten you with all manner of painful looking devices, and pontificate on the significance of life and death. Yes, they do. Some even bring their newborn children down to soak up the atmosphere-like Bludzo did with his newborn, Savannah (congratulations, 'Zo!). Damien Reaper had this to say about being a part of the Dent 'family':
"10 years.....A dead-cade of Damnation. I work hard to give a great show-at least I know I do because I am sore as hell and that's all right because now I'm at a haunt that works their butts off as much as I do. I was a part of the cast in the in-line film doing the Thriller dance
(which could very well be the scariest thing I've ever done but I could not turn it down. I wasn't the dead-man in this, I was an auto-shop tech but I still do the laugh. And also thanks to some Monstars:
Dr.Helldrake, Big Jim, The Nurse, Skittles, Calliope, Ruffles, Mr.Fruitloop, Tizzy, Jeremy, Bubba, Jake ,Dirt Bag, Suicidal Addams "where's your hall pass", Bludzo and Charlie.
There are two guys who've been with me from the old days and now here at Dent. One is Dr. Creep and the other is Fatso-these 2 guys are my brothers. A big thanks to Bud, Chuck, Josh, Leslie and Randy for reawaking the dead within me.
Thanks to the HOD!!!-Randall was the 1st guy in 1999 to put DR on his site. If anybody thinks I'm retiring anytime soon well Damien Reaper will never Rest In Damnation".
The cast brings the twisted environments of the schoolhouse to life, making it not unlike a stroll through an insane asylum that the inmates are running. It's highly entertaining and the uneasiness and unpredictability it produces is a welcome departure from the tired old "I'm going to kill and dismember you, over and over and over" approach many haunts use (which almost never works-actors who do this lose their impact almost immediately when it becomes clear they aren't going to follow through on their threats, leaving them to stand around and look ineffectual). The actors get all the support they need in the form of Dent's extensive costume warehouse (they have several hundred if not a thousand complete costumes, along with all sorts of headgear and accessories), make up techs (headed up by Bud with some actors even doing their own), and the latest in highly detailed masks and props. The Schoolhouse has several animatronic props that make for impressive displays, integrated seamlessly into the scenes-but they primarily function to set up scares for the actors by drawing attention to themselves.
1031 has also spent long hours putting together lighting that highlights the action and sets rather than overwhelm them. Instead of employing the techniques of lighting overkill (using floodlights and strobes), 1031 uses the newest developments in LED technology to employ unobtrusive light sources that can be located virtually anywhere in a room, also allowing for many different colors to be used. The best examples of this can be found in Charlie's basement lair. If he gives you the chance, take a moment to appreciate the interplay of light and shadow that produces an effect every bit as good as a Hollywood horror film. Intrinsic lighting is used as well-the flickering light from Charlie's static-filled TV, sparks produced by wires, and the lights from Charlie's car all are used as sources. The soundtrack to the house also gives each room its own unique character. The banks of sound equipment used by Bud to put it together would put most music clubs to shame. Sometimes the sound is loud and grating, sometimes soft and subtle, and some rooms employ complete silence to great effect.
Most importantly, though, is the fact that it's obvious that 1031 LOVES what they are doing-and also do things the right way. A case in point occurred late in the evening. The haunt closed a few minutes after its posted time of 10 PM after everyone in the line had went though and no more prospective customers were in the parking lot. They had begun to lock up the doors when two customers on foot came up to the ticket booth. Instead of telling them the haunt was closed, they re-opened so they could go through. Josh said, "A lot of people drive a long way to get here, and I just think it's wrong to turn then away. We always try to accommodate them"ť. Contrast this with the behavior of another local haunt that turned away customers it had already sold tickets to, and it becomes apparent who's in the business because they love it and who's in the business just for the money. This love for haunting extends to everything connected with the event. The website is impressive, with an elaborate flash introduction giving the backstory of the house. The schoolhouse theme runs throughout it as well with a 'School Calendar' and a sister newspaper site that details the murders committed by Charlie. The gift shop has lots of creative designs, and even the discount coupons for the event are themed-with different ticket packages proclaimed as 'Prom Night' and 'Athletic Booster' among others.
Finally, we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the queue line video produced by the Schoolhouse in conjunction with Under The Gun Productions. There are histories of the house, Dent's media ads, and new for this year is a comedic 'Thriller' video that uses the actors from the Schoolhouse to reenact the action. I can honestly say I never expected to see Damien Reaper dance, but here he is, along with a whole slew of others for your entertainment. Watching the video will take your mind off the wait in line, as will the actors working the crowds. This can be just about anyone-Charlie, Bludzo (who these days confines his trademark blood spewing for the queue line), or the two on display tonight-a matched set of bickering male-female sideshow barkers (Jasper-who for some reason reminds us of Uncle Charlie-and Jynx) working for the PTA Carnival. They were hilarious and highly entertaining.
The Dent Schoolhouse is the complete package-a classic attraction in a perfect location that's put together by haunters with an eye for detail, along with actors, makeup, and costuming that perfectly complement the rooms. At $13 (or $10 if you have one of the easily available discount coupons), it's also one of the least expensive of the large haunts. Add in the fact that the organizers seemingly give the same type of care to every aspect of the event from parking to marketing and merchandising, and you have a model for haunts everywhere. Just a little over three years ago, 1031 were home haunters putting together 'America's Best Home Haunts'-now they've graduated Maggot Cum Laude and have become Professors of Haunting!
2009
Dr. Helldrake Ignores A Raised Hand
NO! You may NOT leave the room!
Damien Reaper,The Dancin' Digger, Didn't Make The Cut On 'Dancing With The Stars'...
...and he ain't happy!
The Right Tool For The Right Job
Which for the moment seemed to include collecting my scalp in the 'Barber Shop'!
"Y'all Come Back Now, Y'hear?"
The Dent Hellbillies, Bubba and Cecil, want to give you a heapin' helpin' of chainsaw ala rectum!
The Dent Schoolhouse is located at 5963 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45248. It is open Friday through Sunday from September 19 through November 1 along with Thursday, October 30 (closed on Sunday, September 21). Hours are 7:30-Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7:30-10 all other days. Ticket prices are $13 (or an optional $20 Fast Pass) with discount coupons available at Arbys or Frightsite.com. Parking is free!
There are an insane variety of discounts:
Homecoming Pass-food and tickets for 2-$30
Prom Nite Pass-food and tickets for 4-$60
Booster Spirit Pass-ticket, T-Shirt, Coolie-$24
Super Booster Pass-Fast Pass, T, Coolie-$30
Athletic Booster Pass-ticket, hoody, coolie-$35
Group Specials (Advance only, per person):
Group Rates: 15-24 $9, 25-49 $8, 50 + &7
Lunchroom Pizza Party Meet & Eat: 12 to 24 $18, 25 to 40 $17-admission, food, use of the school lunchroom for two hours, and $5 rentry pass option.
Watch for special events-for instance, there's a 'Cincinnati's Sexiest Costume' and 'Scariest Costume' contest on Thursday, October 30 from 7-10 and a wedding planned to take place on the grounds of the Schoolhouse on Halloween.
Radio sponsor WEBN will be setting up at the Schoolhouse from 8-10 on the following dates: Sep 19, 20, 27, Oct 4, 10, 11, 18, 25, 30, & 31.
The Dent Schoolhouse is sponsored by WEBN, CityBeat, DomainIt.com, Proalert Security, and Under The Gun Productions.
For more information call (513) 598-4600 or visit http://www.frightsite.com .
2009
Baby Dr. Burnie Helldrake Zeus The Ringmaster
The Dent Schoolhouse's man of many talents and schizo of the highest order, he literally towers over the competition!
Seeing Dr. Creep Might Qualify As An Emergency...
...but he sure isn't giving you an Exit!
I'd Call Him Goldilocks, But I'd Rather Not Have My Blood Used To Fuel The Boiler
Boiles, one of the Schoolhouse's truly bizarre characters, keeps the home fires burning in the furnace room.
Charlie Reaches Out To The Student Body
Doesn't look like Molly Lovett loves it...
Big JIm Must Be The Etiquette Instructor
Why? He's the cleanest thing in the kitchen!
2009
THE DENT SCHOOLHOUSE: Weekend At Burnie's!
Anyone who's been to the Dent Schoolhouse knows that's there's a new queue line movie playing to keep everyone entertained while waiting to enter-it's called "The Janitor" and, naturally enough, features the Schoolhouse's signature character Charlie McFree. It's 45 minutes long and has done a good job of getting people stoked for what lies within-and the Schoolhouse has almost doubled its numbers from previous seasons over the first two weekends. You might also know that longtime Dent character Dr. Helldrake has taken on yet another persona-that of Burnie the Ringmaster in the School's PTA Carnival. One might expect the Schoolhouse's film for next season might star this new character and help make that year a record breaker-maybe they'll call that movie "Weekend at Burnie's"!
Josh Wells, Bud Stross, and Chuck Stross of 1031 Productions continue to do the impossible at Harrison's Dent Schoolhouse. They've taken a haunt that was rated #1 in the Tristate for three years running by the HOD!!!, #6 in the nation by Hauntworld Magazine, and named one of America's Top 25 Haunts by Haunted Attraction-and they've made it better. Whereas many other haunts are true seasonal attractions, being constructed in a matter of days or weeks, Dent's is a year-round work in progress. Improvements are made to the scenes daily, major construction takes place every Tuesday (with a talented and imaginative group of veterans, many of whom have been there since the days of it being the OLV haunt), and Josh is there virtually every day doing something. In fact, he was recently married, and even had his Bachelor Party there! Josh's new wife, Leslie, doubles as the acting director of the event-so at least they'll be spending lots of time together.
Working on the Schoolhouse year around allows 1031 to replace or add several different scenes a year-this season, that list would number twelve, but by my count was actually higher. Damien Reaper's graveyard has been made more elaborate, and on selected nights his even crazier father "The Original Evil One" will be joining him. The Dent School bus (with a '1031' license plate) is sporting an undead driver this year as well as students trying to crawl from the windows. You might think that the bus is actually a train if you get too close! The former VIP entrance was converted into a new room-an audio-visual room that has an old 50's black and white educational film running. While the room looks deserted, it doesn't stay that way for long. The school nurse is on hand in room one this year, the better to screen out anyone that might be feeling a bit sick at the prospect of going further-like the kid vomiting into a barrel nearby. The locker hallway has been reworked, making it easier to get through and less likely to create a bottleneck. You'll also finally get to see what's been rattling those locker doors from the inside for the past three years! The nursery is much larger, with bigger cribs meant to hold larger…things. Unwary hauntgoers might find out, "What's up, doc?" the hard way! And if they don't in this room, they will shortly thereafter in the new biology lab, filled with disgusting projects in mid-dissection and an equally disgusting doctor. The kitchen and cafeteria have been tweaked and made more distinct from each other. The Wood Shop has been expanded and opened up with some heavy machinery and chains dangling from the ceiling. The Principal's office is now conveniently located next to the Detention Hall in the basement. Remember the hillbilly shack in the woods surrounding the Schoolhouse? Well, this year, you're getting detoured through it, and if the country cutie inside doesn't manage to lure you into a cage or put you in position to be blasted by her kin, the trip across the swamp to the exit might just get 'cut' short if you're 'saw'n'. Out there in the country, the guy wearing the pig head seems to be the least of your worries. Charlie the Janitor's presence is also felt on the first floor this year, as his cleaning closet full of supplies and tools has been opened to the public.
And what of 'Uncle' Charlie, the school's janitor and master of "cleanin' and killin'"? We've already talked about his appearance in the new movie, "The Janitor", playing in the queue line. Charlie is even more brutal than in last year's film, and the gore content has raised a few eyebrows-but that sure doesn't keep people from watching it. Looking over the crowd on a Sunday night, every single one of them is turned towards the movie screen and loving every kill-and it's not even the finished product. Editing is ongoing and the completed version (with soundtrack) isn't due to be out until early October. There's talk that this 45 minute long feature might be made available for purchase by Under the Gun Productions-I'll buy one, since I gave the movie 5 stars, although the threat of getting killed in the next movie might have had something to do with that! Charlie has also become even more of a threatening character inside the house-this year he attacks and carries off some of the schoolgirls who are trying to hide from him. He also seems to be able to warp from place to place-we encountered him at two widely interspaced rooms within the haunt.
Depending on what you count as a room, Dent has between 50 and 60 of them-taking an average group 25-30 minutes to tour. Most of the rooms that aren't new for this year were just put in last year (like the PTA Carnival, the Auto Shop, the Locker Room, and the Prom Queen's Auditorium). But as any haunter knows, though, a haunt is nothing more than a museum without actors-and Dent's are among the best in the business. Later on in the article Damien Reaper will take attendance and give the roll call of many of the twisted faculty and students of Dent (and if anyone was left out, sorry). They all love to play to the audience, and unlike many haunts where the actors are camera shy, they're all hams here-the HOD!!! got dozens of great actor shots and it was difficult to the extreme to pare them down to 10 for display here. What's more impressive is that even though it's near the end of the night, none of them look like they're even beginning to flag. Performances span the gamut-some actors are big and threatening, spouting abuse (Suicidal Addams and the teachers in the kitchen and woodshop)-some are entertaining (Calliope, Damien, Fatso, Skittles, and all the hillbillies)-some are just downright bizarre and disturbing (like Dr. Creep, the Coach, Boiles, Jimmy The Bully, and Faceless Guy). It's a nice break from haunts where all the actors aspire to be of the intense in your face variety, which gets old fast-this varied approach keeps Dent's customers off balance and not knowing what to expect out of any particular character. The dialogue they spout is classic-Boiles gave me a detailed and lengthy explanation of just how he planned to murder me, extract my blood, and use it in the boiler. Many of Dent's actors like to switch personas and try out new parts, which no doubt adds to the energy level as they are given a good degree of creative freedom and don't get bored playing one role all of the time. For example, the guy pictured at the top of the page, Troy (one of the Corpse Cast triumvirate), is probably best known to hauntgoers as Dr. Helldrake, holding court in the Schoolhouse morgue. He's also played Baby Zeus in the nursery. This year, he decided to try his hand at working under the Big Top with Bludzo, Fatso, Calliope, and the other Dent Klowns. He's Burnie the Ring Master now, and towers over the competition-for real. He's perched on a set of drywall stilts, and with his top hat is almost scraping the ceiling. He's also wielding a large mallet that has caused Josh Wells no end of consternation. But more on that later.
Largely responsible for the detailed and horrific makeup used at the Schoolhouse is Bud Stross (along with a lot of quality help). Not even the smallest detail is missed to give the actors maximum impact-check out the rotted or missing teeth on many of the faculty, or the shadowed cleavage of the gal who welcomes you to the hillbilly shack (although I guess the latter isn't really a SMALL detail). Characters such as Boiles and Faceless have very unique and terrifying looks. An accident victim in the shop has the top of his skull exposed ("This is what happens when you don't treat your tools right!"). Masks are used when they're appropriate, and not ones you can buy at the dime store-these are custom jobs costing several hundred dollars. They do the trick-there are people out there who think it really is some old guy playing Charlie, not some guy in his early twenties.
And if a house of actors wasn't enough, 1031 dropped several thousand dollars into animations to use inside the Schoolhouse this season. Some of them are on display before even stepping inside-look up at the belltower when you're crossing the street from the parking lot. Between intermittent flashes of light, you'll see bell ringer Ygor moving slowly back and forth across the windows in front. "Because of the flashing lights, everyone has been thinking he was moving for a long time," said Josh. "We decided to actually make him move this year". Animations are generally used to distract hauntgoers from the actors hiding out elsewhere nearby. Remember that and be prepared! Some of them you'll see are the young schoolchildren in a classroom (with one who is violently impaling himself on a pencil), a teacher at a desk who is slowly nodding off, a twitching corpse dangling from a chain in the wood shop, a tunnel full of thrashing straightjacketed maniacs in the asylum, and clowns acting like marionettes in the PTA Carnival.
Giving all these elements the perfect venue to perform in is what Josh does best. The rooms in the Schoolhouse are the ultimate in detail, and he continues to add to them throughout the season. Josh operates on the theory that nothing looks more real than the real thing, and along with Chuck scours antique stores, junk shops, and even Craig's List to get old products, furniture, tools and props (even full sized automobiles) to make the Schoolhouse look indistinguishable from the real thing. If the effects and creatures were removed, it would look exactly like a School that's been neglected and abandoned for years. It's unmatched for level of detail. Lighting has been streamlined and focused, with the traditional strobes, blacklights, and floods of the haunter's craft being replaced by concealed low key back lighting and small LED spotlights. Josh generally prefers to use shades of yellow, as it gives the scenes more of the 'black and white' stark retro look that the Schoolhouse is going for. Other colors are used for maximum impact (such as the red in the kitchen and Charlie's Lair), with design elements in certain rooms (such as Charlie's TV) being used for illumination. Likewise, fog is used sparingly, generally just to allow laser lighting to be seen. The soundtrack is a collaborative effort, with Bud and the construction crew working along with Josh to put together just the right soundtrack for each room (they almost all have their own) along with the general soundtrack used for the house. And Josh is never, NEVER happy with his work-he's always looking for ways to improve things. He's already telling the HOD!!! about what he plans to tear out and replace after the upcoming season wraps. Say goodbye to the auditorium and asylum-and maybe hello to the outdoor playground that Chuck seemingly succeeded in talking Josh out of adding this year!
Dent also features some of the best and most interesting and involving marketing in town. Being featured on powerhouse radio station WEBN accounts for a lot of this, but Dent has a highly detailed website that carries forth their theming, even going insofar as to linking to a bogus newspaper website (The Dent Gazette) that chronicles the murders that have happened over the years. People are completely drawn in by it, and many accept it as fact. Charlie's mug greets people at Arby's as they go to eat their meals, glaring up at them from out of a tray liner. The psychotic clown husband and wife team of Jasper and Jynx regularly shoot videos at the Schoolhouse and post them on message boards and YouTube to keep interest high, and two haunt podcasts (Corpse Cast and The Sinister Hour) produced by the haunt's actors regularly feature the goings-on at Dent. And nobody that passes by the Schoolhouse is unaware of the event going on, with huge banners and billboards out front ballyhooing the evil that lurks within.
And of course, an HOD!!! article on Dent wouldn't be complete without the ruminations of Damien Reaper (arguably Cincinnati's most dead-icated haunt actor and one-third of the Corpse Cast haunt podcast).
"What can I say? I am very blessed working for The Dent Schoolhouse. I have never felt more a part of a team or family in my whole career of playing Cincinnati's favorite Dead Man. My Dad, Kevin "the original Evil One" Walker has started to do a couple of dates and he is faster and louder than I am. Then there's my fellow Corpse Cast hosts Fatso and Burnie the Ring Master. And another podcast bleeding out The DSH, The Sinister Hour Podcast (a little plug for them) even though they have been around longer ( http:/sinisterhour.libsyn.com and http:corpsecast.libsyn.com ). Check them out...Meatbags!
Josh Wells and his crew make a Masterpiece which is The Haunt itself. Leslie Wells as our new personal manger, Bud Stross as our Lord of make-up, and Chuck Stross as our Leader-all together they form a unit that is guiding us to be the best that we can be. As to Dent ranking 6th on Hauntworld and 13th on Haunted Attraction Magazine, just one word-honor. I am Honored to be at Cincinnati's favorite Haunted Attraction. I also made a cameo on The Janitor's movie which Under the Gun Productions asked me to do in the summer. At the same time I will plug my friend Wayne Spies producer of Skare 13 Productions-he will be doing Damien Reaper, Fatso, and Corpse Cast movies.
Now for the Greatest Cast I have ever..ever..ever worked with. Starting out with Jasper, Jynx, Fatso, Burnie, Jimmy The
Bully, Suicidal Addams (Where's your hall pass?)...Bethany Addams, Calliope, Earwax, Insane M.A. (I'm a Bubble Bee), Fruitloop, Nurse Sputum, Big Jim, Molly Lovett, Weepng Wendi, Boiles, Booter, Zeek, Master Rellik, Skittles, Luna the librarian, The Drunk Bush, Dr. Creep, Emilla Strange, The Chef Z, Timmy, Ms.Rakille, The Coach, Giant Bunny, Minnery, The Legend Bludzo T. Klown and Our Beloved Janitor Charlie McFree and so many more you can meet here. And my Dad-the original Evil One.
Out of 11 years I have never felt happier than I do now. If I had one wish though, it would be that my Grandpa was still here to see me as happy as I am. But I want everyone to realize once you see into the eyes of the Dragon, you will...Rest In Damnation!"
Dent has managed to do practically everything right-set design, acting, character development, theming, costuming, makeup, lighting, sound, and marketing. They're striving to get even better and make improvements every day-even in areas not usually seen by the public. For instance, while back in the event's office, Josh shows the new wall that features a graphic history of the haunt-posters from many of the attraction's seasons, from its debut as the Visitation Scouts OLV haunt to Forest Fair Mall and the early seasons at the Schoolhouse when it was known as THE Haunted House. He's also installed a bank of monitors displaying security cameras from many of the rooms in the house. Josh laughs that "This way, I can watch the actors break up my sets!" These should be called Bludzo-cams, but that's another story. "Last week, after we told them to take it easy on the props, I was sitting here watching Troy (the actor who plays Burnie) taking his mallet to the camera in his room". As if on cue, we look at the Big Top room to see what's going on now-only to see Burnie's mallet waving wildly in front of the camera, threatening to take it out. "See what I mean?" There's no telling what a "Weekend At Bernie's" will bring at the Dent Schoolhouse!
Face It, Dude...
...you don't HAVE a face!
The Question On Everyone's Mind (Including The Haunt Designers)
How'd that gal get into a locker six inches wide?!?!
It's Not The Dent Schoolhouse Until Damien Reaper Appears!
Not to mention 'The Evil One' hisself, Damien's dad!
Booter-Hillbilly With A Gun
It doesn't get much scarier than that, folks!
Everyone's Sweetheart-Calliope!
The homicidal Queen Of Klowns that gets love letters on the HOD!!!'s message board!
The Dent Schoolhouse is located at 5963 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45248. It is open Friday through Sunday from September 18 through November 1 along with two Thursday dates on October 22 and 29 (closed on Sunday, September 20). Hours are 7:30-Midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 7:30-10 all other nights. Ticket prices are $13 (or an optional $20 Fast Pass). You can get $3 off coupons at Arby's (valid on all September dates, all Sundays in October, and October 30-November 1).
There are an insane variety of discounts:
Like Combo Passes:
Homecoming Pass-food and tickets for 2-$30 (save $4)
Prom Nite Pass-food and tickets for 4-$60 (save $10)
And Spirit Pass Packages:
Booster Pass-ticket, T-Shirt, Coozie-$24 (save $4)
Super Booster Pass-Fast Pass, T-Shirt, Coozie-$30 (save $5)
Athletic Booster Pass-ticket, hoodie, coozie-$35 (save $6)
Watch for special events-for instance, there*s the Birthday Celebration for the Schoolhouse (it*s 115) occuring on Thursday, October 22. You can also register for a VIP Experience-get a behind the scenes tour and 10 free tickets! Send your name, address, email, and home/work phone numbers to WEBN/Dent Schoolhouse contest/8044 Montgomery Road Ste 650/Cincinnati, OH 45236 (deadline Sep 30).
The Dent Schoolhouse is sponsored by Arby's, WEBN, and DomainIt. For more information call (513) 598-4600 or visit
http://www.frightsite.com .
2010