When the scent of pumpkin‑spice latte drifts through the Dunkin’ at the Stratton Student Center, you know autumn has arrived and MIT’s Next House basement is buzzing with preparations for Next Haunt—a hybrid haunted house and escape‑room experience. Since 2014, students known as hauntmasters spend several weekends assembling sets, crafting puzzles, and building props so that participants can solve codes and unlock the exit.\ \ This year’s theme, “Where the Light Ends,” follows past editions such as “Terror Under Destruction,” “Next Stop: MBTA,” and “Get in the HOLE.” The event is free for all MIT students, who are called “test subjects.” Teams of four to six spend about 20 minutes in a small, dark chamber, hunting clues while dodging zombies played by student actors. Zombies may shout or splash fake blood; a touch “paralyzes” a player, who can still speak to guide teammates. Success hinges on tight coordination, clear delegation, and rapid communication before the clock runs out. The fastest team earns bragging rights and signs a wooden board as proof of participation.\ \ Safety comes first. Before any construction or costume work begins, MIT’s Campus Construction, Environment, Health, and Safety offices are involved, and every builder must attend safety orientation and tool‑training sessions. The executive crew consists of about 18 members, supplemented by 12 volunteers during the initial build weekends. The event runs for six and a half hours each night over two weekends at the end of October.\ \ After the build, alumni volunteers conduct a “test run” to verify that puzzles are challenging but solvable, and that any participant who wishes to leave early can exit through a Velcro‑sealed door. Last year, only 16 % of the 73 teams escaped, with the winning team doing so in just under 15 minutes. Former producer Allen Lin ’26 recalls joining as a test subject in his freshman year, later helping with production, and says the highlight was watching teams navigate the house, especially on the final day when past alumni returned.\ \ When the night ends, the room is dismantled; reusable elements are stored for the next year’s build. The crew then visits a Boston‑area escape room to celebrate. Milo Alto, manager of special projects for housing, notes that the project not only sparks creativity but also teaches valuable leadership skills—time management, delegation, peer collaboration, and detailed planning—while strengthening community bonds. MIT students interested in helping with the 2027 build can sign up now.\ \ Review