BELLPORT, NY — Costumes, cocktails, and thrilling surprises await at The Gateway's Haunted Masquerade, a special fundraising event benefiting the theater at the Performing Arts Center on Oct. 9.
It will run from 6:30 to 10 p.m.
The one-of-a-kind evening invites guests to step behind the mask and experience The Gateway's legendary Halloween attraction in true VIP fashion. The night will include delicious fare, cocktails, the popular Coffin Ride, and admission to the all-new Mr. Tickle's 3-D Funhouse, an immersive walk-through, a costume contest, and more.
The centerpiece of the evening will be VIP admission to Gateway's Haunted Playhouse, one of Long Island's most celebrated Halloween attractions. It takes guests on a spine-tingling journey through the grounds of the area's oldest professional theatre.
Gateway's Haunted Playhouse has been recognized as one of BuzzFeed's "Top 25 Haunted Houses Across America," one of Hauntworld Magazine's "America's Best Haunted Attractions," one of USA Today's "Top Ten Haunted Houses in New York," and News 12's "Best Haunted House on Long Island."
Unlike a traditional haunted house, Gateway's Haunted Playhouse draws upon the professional theatrical talent and resources of The Gateway. Designers, technicians, makeup artists, craftspeople, and professionally trained performers work together to create an immersive experience with elaborate environments, original characters, and carefully staged scares.
More than 100 actors, technicians, staff members, and volunteers help bring the attraction to life each evening. Among them are highly trained volunteer performers from The Gateway School for the Performing Arts, giving students an opportunity to develop their skills alongside working theatre professionals.
Guests are encouraged to dress for the occasion, whether glamorous, ghoulish, mysterious, or macabre, and enjoy an unforgettable evening where Halloween spectacle meets an important community cause.
Paul Allan, the theater's executive artistic director, said the event "is a chance to experience everything audiences love about our Haunted Playhouse while helping sustain the nonprofit organization behind it."
"Every ticket purchased supports The Gateway's mission and helps us continue producing professional theatre, training the next generation of artists, and making the performing arts accessible to our community," he added.
The Gateway has been a cornerstone of Long Island's cultural community for more than 75 years. As a nonprofit organization, it relies on ticket sales, donations, sponsorships, and fundraising events to bring professional productions to its stage, provide arts education through The Gateway School for the Performing Arts, and create meaningful theatrical experiences for audiences throughout the region.
Proceeds from Gateway's Haunted Masquerade will directly benefit that mission, helping ensure that The Gateway's stages, classrooms, and community programs continue to thrive throughout the year.
Early Bird tickets for the event are $125 through Sept. 18. Regular-price tickets are $175, beginning Sept. 19.
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