Jackson Mancuso is a concept designer working in Los Angeles. He has had the opportunity to design for companies and brands like Universal Parks and Resorts, Knotts Berry Farm, Hasbro, and more, contributing his designs to a variety of attractions and experiences including roller coasters, restaurants, and yes, even haunted houses. He is both a 2D and 3D artist. Lover of all things spooky: he is passionate about fostering the next wave of designers and uplifting the artist community!

See his work at jacksonmancuso.myportfolio.com

Alec Zbornak is a writer and content strategist for themed, immersive, and cultural experiences. After graduating from Yale, where he studied humanities and Chinese, he took part in a year-long language and culture fellowship through National Taiwan University. He currently serves as a freelance show writer for a Brooklyn-based immersive experience called The Drunken Laboratory. Alec is delighted to join Haunt Comp this year as the team’s Copywriter. 

See his work at aleczbornak.com

Josiah is a Florida resident who has moved across the country in pursuit of work in Themed Entertainment. He is currently at Walt Disney Imagineering as a Project Engineering intern, but also has experience with Universal Creative in their Facility Design Management studio. What Josiah prides himself in, though, is his experience in regional haunted houses. He volunteered at Sir Henry’s Haunted Trail as a maintenance tech, ensuring that their animatronics, special effects, and escape rooms stayed operational during show nights. He also was integral in starting Swamp Haunters, which is a student-lead haunt team at the University of Florida. There, he lead a team of students to design, fabricate, and operate a $6000 haunt attraction.

See more of Josiah’s work here: evaristojosiah.wixsite.com/portfolio

See more of Swamp Haunters here: themedattraction.com/crimson-carnival-uf/

Paige Brunson is a Los Angeles native who specializes in entertainment design and concept art. She currently works as a Concept and Storyboard Artist for Sphere, an immersive experience in Las Vegas. At Sphere, she ideates key looks and partnerships for the world’s largest LED screen. Previously, she studied at UCLA Design Media Arts, focusing on sustainable design research and public art initiatives. In her free time, she loves attending concerts and spoiling her cat. As an avid haunt lover, Paige is stoked to be back with the Haunt Comp team this year! 

Connect with her at linkedin.com/in/paigebrunson/

Hannah Sandeen is a freelance engineer and show set designer with experience in R&D. Winner of the 2020 Boeing Innovation Challenge, USC Student Ingenuity Award for her research in Regenerative Rollercoaster Braking, and winner of the 2021 Haunt Comp as a show set designer, she bridges the gap between engineering and creative. Outside of R&D, she has a talent for SFX makeup, costume design, and volunteers in the TEA Western Division Events Committee. She graduated from USC in 2021 with a B.S in Mechanical Engineering.

Connect with her at linkedin.com/in/hsandeen/

D'Angelo Reyes is currently working as a show set and dimensional designer at THG Creative. He also works as a production & scenic designer for film, theater, and immersive experiences. He is a 2022 graduate of Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a B.S in Civil Engineering and a minor in Theatre. Outside of work, he has a passion for improv comedy, musical theater, film, and transit-oriented city development. D'Angelo is terrified to see what thrills & chills will keep him up at night!

See his work at dangeloreyes.com and connect at @dreyes_designs on Instagram

Mia is an Atlanta based designer in the entertainment industry with a focus on graphic props, signage, and world-building graphics that bring guests closer to their favorite stories. She currently works at Warner Bros. Discovery as a Product Designer and freelances within the Themed Entertainment industry designing for theme parks and museums internationally. Mia is also in the process of getting her MFA in Graphic Design and Visual Experience at SCAD with a thesis on storytelling through graphic design. In her free time, Mia also builds her own haunted houses and props and has a love of scary movies, puppets, and scary puppets. 

Check out her work at mialestorti.com

Emma Saint James is a AVC Systems Designer at TechMDinc with a passion for story telling and the technical elements that make it possible. She holds a degree from USC with a BFA in Sound Design for theater. She enjoys attending various haunt experiences throughout Southern California and can't wait to see what the participants create this year.

Trey is a Los Angeles based Electrical Engineer in the themed entertainment industry. He was raised in Orlando, FL and received his B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Central Florida. He is currently an Associate Technical Coordinator for AOA, in Burbank, CA. He interned for three years at AOA in both Orlando, FL and Burbank, CA before joining full-time in January 2023. In his free time, he loves to recreate props from film and television, and ideate on his own themed experiences. This is his first year with the Haunt Comp team, and he is thrilled to see what each team designs.

Connect with him at         linkedin.com/in/trey-sandefur