We approached the familiar steps at the San Francisco Mint for Initiation. Terror Vault’s new immersive haunted experience takes guests to the headquarters of the fictitious (or is it?) INsight Institute for their indoctrination/initiation into a nefarious cult. Of course, this being a haunt event, we know that things have a sinister, even evil undertone and we soon discover that this organization isn’t what it seems.

After we check in at the box office we are guided down a stairwell and into the action. To the right is the Fang Bang Vampire nightclub and bar. To the left is the VIP Experience area.

Grabbing a drink at the Fang Bang, we explore the neon-colored enclaves and quasi-religious settings. In one room is a panel of confession booths along with a sacred font filled with blood.

THE INITIATION

At the end of the long subterranean hallway that stretches the width of the building, we are invited to queue up for our scheduled showtime. We are escorted into a room where we are politely asked to shut off all electronic devices including phones and watches so that they do not interfere with the show.

Once that is settled, we are guided to a seminar room for the Insight Institute. Here we are greeted and asked to watch a video. Our host leaves the room and suddenly a survivor of the cult appears to let us know something very bad is going down. Our job, as fake inductees is to locate a key member of the organization and hopefully escape with our lives. With the setup in place, we are thrust into a hair-raising adventure to infiltrate a cult and save a few lives along the way.

What sets Terror Vault’s Initiation apart are a number of things, but I can narrow it down to three. Tone: This is a haunt through and through, no question about it. Yet the Queer roots of the production shine through with the polished production and tongue-in-cheek tone throughout. This is a good thing. It makes the show far more approachable to a broader audience in that those looking for immersive horror will lean into that while guests looking for the humor to break the tension will easily find it.

Secondly, the performances, are across the board, great. Yet there are a few standouts. Donna Moore turns in an incredible performance as Mother Gertrude. Her scene comes at a tense, intimate moment that will leave you bothered. Her body language as a lanky, shut-in with greasy hair is phenomenally disturbing.

Donna Moore as Mother Gertrude

Another fine turn comes from Teri Whipple as Bishop Eve, one of the evil forces behind the malevolent cult. Her angular hair and jet-black costume frame a set of eyes that pierce the soul. Phenomenal work here.

Teri Whipple as Bishop Eve

While not a part of the main show, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Cream, AKA Jizzinya Ojos, who performs in the VIP lounge. She puts on a fabulous show and works the crowd in her crazy, campy way as a blinded member of the cult that still has sight.

Initiation is another spectacular production from San Francisco’s Terror Vault. It is a thrilling piece of immersive theatre that is worth the price.

Tickets

Terror Vault’s Initiation takes place on select nights now through October 31. Depending on the night, General Admission starts at $70 and goes up to $85.

General Admission includes

• Access to the FANG BANG bar
• Admission into The Initiation

FANG BANG

VIP EXPERIENCE

For those interested in a full night of Initiation entertainment, you should consider the VIP Experience. Tickets range from $110 – $125 depending on the night and, really, this is the way to go.

VIP Experience includes 

• Complimentary glow necklace to opt-in for interactivity.
• An official lanyard that grants you access to areas that are off-limits to the general public.
• Access to the Bishop’s Lounge and a complimentary Kool-Aid Vodka shot at the bar.
• Access to the Insight Institute Archives which includes exhibits and photo opportunities

Museum

Nestled in a dark corner of the San Francisco Mint is a museum dedicated to the history of the INsight Institute. Get there early, then grab a drink in the VIP bar and wander through this twisted collection of artifacts that will enrich your trip through your Initiation.

HorrorBuzz VIP Event

We would also like to share a few pics from the HorrorBuzz VIP event that was held on the opening night of Terror Vault’s Initiation and convey our gratitude for the event. What WAS the event? Well, we will tell you.

Tickets for this special event went on sale at Midsummer Scream in July and sold out. Guests who nabbed a ticket to the special, one-night event presented by HorrorBuzz and Terror Vault were treated to admission, access to the Fang Bang, Access to the VIP Lounge and Museum, one trip through the Terror Vault Initiation, then a behind-the-scenes tour with chow creators Joshua Grannell and David Flower.

It was a spectacular event that offered haunt fans the chance to go even deeper into the scares by meeting the creators and learning more about Terror Vault’s new show, Initiation.

We want to thank the Terror Vault cast, crew, and producers for making us feel right at home and as scared as ever. We are already looking forward to next year!

For more information and additional events at the Terror Vault please visit their website.