Mercer Island's Haunted Forest Wants to Leave You 'Senseless'

Youth Theatre Northwest (YTN) celebrates the Halloween season with a unique, outdoor performance of "SENSELESS: Mercer Island’s Haunted Forest", performing October 13 – 28, 2012.

In contrast to a traditional haunted house, SENSELESS is a 40 minute guided performance and tour through the shadowy and frightening trails of Mercer Island’s Island Crest Park. "SENSELESS" is written by Gillian Jorgensen and directed by Meghan Arnette. The cast is composed of 15 performers from Mercer Island, Bellevue, Renton, Issaquah, Newcastle, Sammamish, Kirkland and Seattle.

Here’s a theatrical description of the haunted forest:

“There are children trapped in the forest, lurking within the shadows. What stories will they share when darkness falls? They call out for your help but beware. If you fail them, you become them; lost on a twisted path, stumbling in blindness, deaf to the sounds of life and forever desperate for someone to touch.

Just in time for Halloween, take a night time tour through Mercer Island’s Haunted Forest in Island Crest Park where flashlights do not guarantee safe harbor. “

Costume design is by Jocelyne Fowler, properties and set design by Phoenix Smith, lighting by Trina Wright and Stage Management by Nguyen. 

SENSELESS is appropriate for ages 8+.

For younger children, Youth Theatre Northwest offers an imaginative and not frightening version of the show called "Once Upon a Halloween" to be performed during the daytime on Sundays. The children's show is appropriate for ages 3+.

SENSELESS is an outdoor, rain or shine event. All guests are encouraged to dress appropriately and wear suitable shoes.

Performance Details and Schedule:

SENSELESS performs Oct. 13 - 28 and tours begin every ten minutes and last approximately 40 minutes. Only 10 audience members are allowed per tour.

Performance Schedule:

• Preview: Friday, October 12, 7 – 9:40 p.m. (last tour leaves at 9 p.m.)
• Opening: Saturday, October 13, 6:30 – 10 p.m. (last tour leaves at 9:20 p.m.)
• Friday, October 19, 6:30 – 10 p.m. (last tour leaves at 9:20 p.m.)
• Saturday, October 20, 6:30 – 10 p.m. (last tour leaves at 9:20 p.m.)   
• No tour, Friday, Oct. 26
• Saturday, Oct. 27, 6:30 – 10 p.m. (last tour leaves at 9:20 p.m.)                                                    

Daytime tours of Once Upon a Halloween:

• Sunday, Oct. 21, 11 a.m.  –  3 p.m. (last tour leaves at 2:20 p.m.)
• Sunday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m.  –  3 p.m. (last tour leaves at 2:20 p.m.)

Tickets for SENSELESS are $15 for evening performances. There is a special Pay-What-You-Will preview on Friday, Oct. 12. 

Tickets for Sunday matinees of Once Upon a Halloween are $13. Teens may receive a special $2 ticket discount if they bring a can of food or other non-perishable food item to support the Mercer Island Youth and Family Services food bank.  

Tickets may be purchased online at www.mercerislandshauntedforest.com or at the event. For further information, please email info@mercerislandshauntedforest.com.