Midnight Madness

Objective

Design and produce Midnight Madness, a 12-hour puzzle hunt challenge across New York City. Deliver an unforgettable immersive experience while raising funds for Good Shepherd Services.

Year
2025

Client
Good Shepherd Services

Approach & Outcome

Building on the legendary tradition of Midnight Madness, our team partnered with Good Shepherd Services to craft a one-of-a-kind, 12-hour adventure blending storytelling, puzzles, and spectacle. We developed all-original mind-bending puzzles, integrated custom interactive technology, and transformed iconic New York City landmarks into stages for discovery.

Inspired by the life and afterlife of Harry Houdini, one of New York’s most legendary illusionists, the experience unfolded as a citywide journey steeped in mystery and magic. Teams began the afternoon with carnival challenges in Coney Island before setting off across Manhattan, where they watched professional magicians and performed a little magic of their own. Along the way, they explored the historic Wavertree Tall Ship, encountered a room filled with more pianos than most people have ever seen in one place, and tested their skills in a variety of boxing challenges. As midnight struck, players took the plunge literally, diving into a pool to uncover the next clue. The night concluded with a haunting seance and ultimately raised more than $800,000 for Good Shepherd Services.

Key Contributions

  • Project Management: Task tracking and communication for both Good Shepherd Services and Gotham Immersive Laboratories

  • Venues: Scouted, secured, and negotiated contracts for 13 venues

  • Technology: Sourced tech vendors to build custom props (wand, ouija board, talking bears)

  • Staffing: Trained and coordinated 43 volunteers

  • On-Site Execution: Managed day-of operations and live problem-solving for 3 of the locations

“It was so much fun! The best day of my year! Oh wait I got married this year…”