Out in the Nevada desert, thirteen years after its closure, Carson City’s historical state prison on East 5th Street has been transformed into the Dark Prison Halloween-themed attraction.
Stepping onto the property, sunlight slowly fades into the skyline. The haunt begins to bustle, actors and crew stalk into the prison preparing for the night. The sounds of an electric drill in the courtyard and the excited steps off the metal railways echo in the air.
Behind every mask and makeup design is Matthew Hawkins, the haunts makeup director and props lead. His team of skilled artists and the custom department transform actors into nightmares. Hawkins coordinates a tightly run make-up operation that begins each show at 6 p.m..
“I show up at three [p.m.] to refill the paint bottles, make sure all the stations are together,” says Hawkins…