My first custom costume that I made using prosthetics and make-up was when I was 10 years old. After that I was hooked and each year was making upgrades to the costume and make-up or adding special effects or making an entirely new custom made character from scratch. Over one summer I was able to attend theater classes that taught me new make-up and costume skills, as well as, introduced me to sets, lighting and props which only helped to increase my interest in the illusionary crafts.

In 1988 through a series of unfortunate events I found myself acting as the DJ at the last minute, for an event that honestly had little turn out. This did, however, end up getting me hired for many more events over the next few years allowing me to learn much more about sound and lighting. In 1989 I worked at Circus Circus with a bunch of clowns. No, really, they were great clowns. I owe a lot to Cuddles and Klutzy who allowed me to practice and hone my make-up skills on all the poor unsuspecting kiddies that came to our booth. Jokes were never my strong point, but physical humor and pantomime came easy to me with a background in martial arts. This later comes back to haunt me.

In 1990 I was hired by the Make-A-Wish foundation to perform as a Mime, thanks to my so called “friend”, Klutzy, who threw my name into the hat due to my performances at the Clown’s Booth. (I will get even with him one day.) Another friend, Robert, offered a unique twist, "Mime & Magic". Robert, aka Doc Cheatum from the Silver Legacy, taught me some very useful magic and illusions and encouraged me in the pursuit of magical knowledge. This added all sorts of ideas and options to my other theatrical skills.

Going back a little bit, in 1989 I was asked by a friend to join him as a volunteer at a Haunted House which was being sponsored by a local radio station (KOZZ), with proceeds going towards the MDA. This became the first of many Professional Haunted Houses that I worked with, learning more of the trade each year. I started as a volunteer actor and quickly moved through all the different levels and aspects involved in running a Haunt over several years.

Over the last 20 years I have worked with many talented and knowledgeable individuals at several Haunts including the first one for 5 years and Reno Frightmare for 4 years, where I met and worked with the great Leonard Pickel. From there, I went on to work with George Maser for a few years helping him with his "Castle of the Living Dead", and then with Eli Kerr, magician and owner of "Explosive Entertainment", for his Reno & Sparks "Fright Fests" from 2006-2008.

In addition to all of the haunts, I have designed and produced several custom sets, props, make-up and costume pieces for other non-Halloween events, as well. Many of these assorted characters, props, and stage illusions were created for special shows, charities and events. For the last couple of decades, I have had the unique opportunity of entertaining hundreds of thousands of people, without ever being seen myself, except by those that work behind the scenes.

Matt Patrovsky, CFO (Chief Fright Officer)