Haunt Comp
Established 2020
We are a group of recent graduates and students with a passion for themed entertainment, haunts, and educating others on the incredible effort that goes into these industries.
Haunt Comp was started in 2020 after students at UC San Diego created their own Halloween maze, and students from other schools asked how it was done. The competition was created with a desire to have industry experts teach on these topics so participants could compete on an even playing field and learn for their own careers.
Today, Haunt Comp boasts participants from dozens of schools and from multiple countries. Partnered with companies and judges from across the haunt industry, we continue to develop the careers and relationships that are so crucial for the rising generation in professional haunts.
Follow our socials to stay up to date on Haunt Comp, or email us if you have any questions!
Xochilt Khoury
Director, Admin & Business Development
Xochilt Khoury is a Project Coordinator at TechMDinc. She graduated from UC San Diego in 2021 with a B.A. in Speculative Design (Media) and a minor in Theatre (Stage Management and Design). Xochilt has interned for multiple entertainment companies in creative and project management capacities, including Lionsgate Global Live, Interactive, and Location-Based Entertainment, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, and more. Xochilt became interested in haunts while working on several mazes at UCSD as a creative director and technical director. Back for her fourth year, she is thrilled to see what nightmares participants conjure up!
Email me at xochilt@hauntcomp.com
Matthias Baker
Director, Design & Marketing
Matthias Baker is an Administrative Coordinator and Show Programmer at TechMDinc. He graduated from UC San Diego in 2021 with a B.S in Cognitive Science (Human Computer Interaction) and minors in Psychology and Interdisciplinary Computing and the Arts (Media). In the past, Matthias has freelanced as a UI/UX designer as well as worked on several haunt mazes at UC San Diego as a designer and creative director. He is especially interested in how people interact with their environment in themed experiences and video games. Returning for his third year with Haunt Comp, he cannot wait to see what spooks participants conjure up!
Email me at matthias@hauntcomp.com
Taylor Scott
Director, Participant Development
Taylor Scott is a Talent Coordinator and Project Manager for Midsummer Scream. This past fall, Taylor entered the fog and joined the Knott's Scary Farm team, where she was a venue supervisor with a focus on operations. She graduated from UCLA in 2022 with a B.S. in Astrophysics and a minor in Theatre. Returning for her second year with Haunt Comp, Taylor is excited to see what horrors the ghosts and ghouls of Haunt Comp bring to life this year!
Email me at taylor@hauntcomp.com
Jared Walker
Producer
Jared Walker graduated from UC San Diego in 2021 with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, and hopes to develop an engineering career in themed entertainment. His passion for engineering and theme parks started while growing up in Southern California, making frequent visits to the incredible parks in the area. His work experience includes Quality Engineering at the Disneyland Resort and as a ride technician at SeaWorld San Diego. Jared is honored to have been with Haunt Comp since its founding year.
Learn more about me at jared-walker.com
Rosalie Rubio
Social Media Manager
Rosalie Rubio is a Marketing Specialist for Picture Shop and Ghost VFX where she manages social media worldwide. She comes from UC Santa Barbara, where she earned her B.A. in English and minored in Art & Technology and Professional Writing for Multimeda Communication. While in college, Rosalie interned for multiple departments at Warner Bros., including DC Entertainment, The CW, on-set in the art department, and more. In her free time, you can find her reading a good book or working on her first novel. For her second year at Haunt Comp, she is looking forward to seeing the depths of horror participants will explore.
Email me at rosaliecreative@gmail.com
Jackson Mancuso
Concept Artist
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!
Jennie Tuliao
Coordinator
Jennie Tuliao is a recent UCLA graduate with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Film. She is currently the Office Administrator and Executive Assistant at The Bezark Company, supporting production of various projects and internal communication. She has been a White Bat for over 4 years at Midsummer Scream, the largest Halloween and horror convention in Southern California. When the sun goes down, Jennie fuels nightmares performing as a scare actress at various haunted attractions. She can’t wait to see what nightmares participants create this year!
Email me at jennie@hauntcomp.com
Alec Zbornak
Copywriter
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
Brian Cook
Coordinator
Brian Cook is a pre-medical student and a freelance visual designer. He graduated from UCLA in 2022 with a B.S. in Biology and a minor in Film. He has experience designing themed attraction concepts for student showcases as well as producing short films for the UCLA Student Alumni Association. He has worked as a White Bat for Midsummer Scream and as a member of the Creepy Crew for Cemetery Lane, a Trick-R-Treat experience. He is excited to collaborate with peers and see what stories participants will create!