Our Story
Background
The Haunt in Atascadero is the longest-running and most famous haunted house in San Luis Obispo County. It originated as a young man’s garage dream and grew into its current location. The doors have been open in Atascadero since 2014, serving thousands annually.
The Haunt was formed in 2015 by merging two local haunts: TNT Terrors and Mid State Scare.
TNT Terrors, founded by Chris Towers, was initially created in his parents’ garage in San Diego, California. Neighborhood kids did the building, acting and scaring. Towers moved up to the San Luis Obispo area during his college days. After university, the idea of a haunted house grew as a passion.
Mid State Scare, founded by Randy Russom and three friends in Arroyo Grande, California, was open for six years before the merge.
As Founder and Owner, Chris Towers is the main man. He is assisted by dedicated volunteers, including building crews, actors, and makeup artists.
Annually, we begin building in March and continue through September, when The Haunt is up and scaring through Halloween.
Meet The Leadership Team
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Chris Towers
Chris brings a wealth of technical and engineering expertise to his leadership role. With a Bachelor of Science in General Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, Chris combines his background in electrical, mechanical, and civil systems with a passion for immersive storytelling. Outside of his work in the energy sector, he has dedicated over a decade to crafting unforgettable haunted experiences, leading The Haunt as a community-driven and creatively innovative attraction.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS
Stephanie High
Stephanie brings 20 years of marketing, business development, and performance psychology expertise to her role. Her unique blend of strategic business acumen and deep understanding of human behavior helps drive innovative solutions and streamlined operations, ensuring The Haunt’s success both behind the scenes and in the public eye.
Stephanie’s connection to The Haunt is deeply personal—she grew up across the street from Chris, where the original haunt began in his parents’ garage. Witnessing its evolution from a neighborhood event into a renowned community attraction inspired her lifelong appreciation for creativity and collaboration.
With a global perspective and a passion for fostering creativity and peak performance, Stephanie applies her marketing and leadership skills to elevate The Haunt’s community presence and operational efficiency. Her ability to blend customer psychology with cutting-edge strategies ensures each season of The Haunt is a memorable and impactful experience.
PRODUCTION OPERATIONS
Sean O’Donnell
Sean brings a unique blend of creativity, technical expertise, and decades of haunted house experience to his role. Sean’s journey began in 1995 when he co-founded a garage haunt with his friend Lonny Cummings in San Jose, CA, and even built props for the renowned Pirates of Emerson haunt in Fremont, CA. After moving to Paso Robles in 2020, Sean discovered The Haunt and quickly became an integral part of its creative team.
In 2021, Sean’s dedication and ingenuity shone when he stepped in to lead operations during a critical moment, earning the trust and admiration of the team. Known for his expertise in animatronics, prop building, and cutting-edge haunt technology like Arduino programming and VenuMagic, Sean is a driving force behind The Haunt’s immersive and unforgettable experiences.
With a passion for community, storytelling, and innovation, Sean ensures that every scare at The Haunt is executed with precision and creativity, making it a must-visit attraction year after year.
VOLUNTEER COORDINATION (ON-SITE)
Debbie "Mo" Langstaff
Mo joined The Haunt with boundless enthusiasm for the arts and a deep commitment to community involvement. Her love for storytelling shines through her passion for writing, and her impressive off-the-cuff improv acting skills create a unique, immersive experience for every brave soul who ventures through the halls of The Haunt.
Mo is dedicated to engaging and empowering people of all ages, helping them discover the creative world of self-expression through character development. She believes that “haunting” not only allows for artistic growth but also fosters a sense of belonging in a community built on shared creativity and fun.
In her own words: “Joining The Haunt in Atascadero is like becoming part of an inviting family where we learn from one another, support each other, and—most importantly—have fun together.”
VOLUNTEER COORDINATION (REMOTE)
Martin O’Donnell
Martin’s love for haunting began in childhood, inspired by his older brother. A self-taught prop maker and designer, Martin volunteers at The Haunt, where he specializes in crafting prosthetics and haunt-safe weapons that bring the scares to life.
In addition to his work at The Haunt, Martin is the co-owner of Mommy Stitches Shop, a creative venture he runs with his wife, Rachel. When he’s not designing props, Martin loves dressing up and scaring the daylights out of visitors, ensuring an unforgettable experience for those who dare to enter.
