By Cortney St. John
Round Table editor

A scary clown, a demented barber, and circus freaks are lurking in Middletown High School’s auditorium, waiting for visitors to scare and entertain.

“Nightmare in the Valley,” the MHS drama department’s third annual haunted house, is under way at the high school and will run through Oct. 23.

The drama department members hope this year’s haunted house is bigger and scarier than ever. In a literature-themed haunted house, guests come face-to-face with characters from popular horror stories.

Some of the authors featured include: Edgar Allan Poe, The Grimm Brothers, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien and Gaston Leroux.

The students participating in the haunted house have spent at least 25 hours building and six to eight hours each night during tech week to put up the walls, paint and attend to the details of the event.

“We have been working hard during tech week and we have a lot of fun working together,” said MHS junior Jessica Rota.

The haunted house is $3 for ages 12 and under and $5 for ages 13 through adult. Proceeds go to the drama department to help pay for any materials and equipment needed for other productions.

The haunted house will be open Oct. 22-23 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

“It is going to be fun and exciting and I hope everyone comes out to be afraid,” said MHS junior Daniel Kaas.