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Nightmare Chamber Haunted House back from the dead By Buffy Pollock Updated: Oct 07, 2022 03:50 PM A A 3 View all photos Robin Downward prepares for the reopening of Randall Theatre Company's haunted house in downtown Medford. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] “Our haunt is incredibly actor-driven. We do a lot of acting classes and things that really make a big difference compared to going to an average haunted house,” said Robin Downward, creator of the Nightmare Chamber Haunted House in downtown Medford. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] The Nightmare Chamber was rejuvenated last year by a partnership with South Medford acting students, said Robin Downward, shown. [Andy Atkinson / Mail Tribune] After a disturbing near-miss with a final curtain call last year, the Nightmare Chamber Haunted House is back, overcoming dwindling volunteer counts and even a split from its parent organization, Randall Theatre, in 2020. “Back from the dead!” declared a victorious Robin Downward, who founded Randall in 2009. Downward said he had almost accepted the unwelcome demise of the annual charity haunt, but a partnership created last year with drama students from South Medford High School breathed new life into the production. “Last year we were planning it to be the last, after 13 years. Like a lot of other places are going through, we were struggling to find reliable people,” Downward said. “Because of my theatrical background, this is something that I only want to do if we can do it well. “Our haunt is incredibly actor-driven. We do a lot of acting classes and things that really make a big difference compared to going to an average haunted house. Every year, we have transitional people who do it for a few years and move on. It just seemed like there was a big hole from the standpoint of finding those people to fill in the gaps. Really toward the last minute last year, I met the drama teacher at South Medford High, and it was a great match.” Downward said the partnership is a win for the haunt and for students. “This gives the students a chance to work with a different director and work on character creation and stuff like that — and they get some proceeds in trade for being part of our haunted house,” he added. “The kids really, truly saved our bacon. Not only are they young and energetic, but they’re acting kids, and this is what they really love to do.” Downward said continuance of the show under his production company, Eventwerks, isn’t the only fun surprise this year. The haunt will be one of two in the same location at Third and Front streets. New this year, Nightmare Chamber is partnering with Nightmares on the Rogue Haunted Mines. The two independently owned haunted houses will offer “one stop haunting” along the railroad tracks in downtown Medford — billed as “Frights on Front.” Patrons will be able to purchase a VIP season pass for unlimited access to both haunts — a vampire-inspired haunt for the Nightmare Chamber and a haunted mine for its new neighbor — throughout the coming season. Downward said he was excited for the haunt to continue on for years with the new recruits breathing new life — and perhaps a little well-practiced, solidly performed “death.” “As soon as we had the kids on board, it was just great. 2021 turned out to be our best year since we opened in 2009,” he said. “I’m really looking forward to working with the students again. They truly helped make our haunted house memorable.” Downward said he would impart his philosophy of doing something well, or not at all, to student haunters. To truly become your character, he noted, is key. “I always share a story in my beginning acting classes. About 25, maybe 30 years ago, I was going through a haunted house, and there was a young man in a clown costume doing tiny figure eights on a tiny tricycle in a little room, sort of cackling to himself,” Downward said. “He accidentally hit into my ankle, and then he broke character, and he goes, in a regular voice, ‘Oops, sorry, dude.’ And my experience of that entire haunted house was tainted by that one exchange. There were so many ways — while staying in character — he could have handled that situation.” Downward added, “So now I tell all my actors, ‘Don’t be the clown unless you are the clown!’” This season’s haunts, sponsored by Magic Man locations in Medford and Grants Pass, start this weekend, 7-10 p.m. each night, and continue Oct. 14-16, 21-23 and 27-31. The haunt (not recommended for 10 and younger) is located at 10 E. Third St. Tickets — available online or at any Magic Man location — cost $15 and $18 for regular admission. Tickets purchased at Magic Man come with a 20% discount on any Halloween items purchased in-store. For more information, call 541-622-3979 or see nightmarechamber.com . Reach reporter Buffy Pollock at 541-776-8784 or [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @orwritergal.