business 411
“DO YOU WANT TO PLAY A GAME?” by cutter slagle
ES.CAP.ISM
The title’s question is a fitting reference greeting (or haunting) potential patrons who visit Hillcrest’s original puzzle room, Escapism, located on Fourth Ave between University and Washington. Walking up the stairs to where the ultimate adventure awaited us, the horror filmSaw im- mediately came to mind. It doesn’t take a genius to connect the dots here (which is good considering the only attribute I share with Albert Einstein is his hair); a locked room with only an hour to escape, puzzle solving and if you fail, you die. Okay, so I lied about that last part. The conse- quences for not escaping Escapism’s room are not nearly as deadly as not figuring out one of serial killer Jigsaw’s original puzzles. But, you will miss out on bragging rights and depending on your circle of friends, that could be way worse than getting trapped in a man-made scalping device, or having to dig a key out of your own eye socket. Squeamish jokes aside, Escapism is much like
a movie… One in which you, the player, get to be the star. At least that’s one way Tangerine Skantz, creator and owner, describes the experience. “It’s a unique experience, a disconnect from reality. It’s up to you [and your team] to save the day, to be the hero[es].” She’s absolutely right, too. Though my team and I were unable to save the day (even with a generous extra ten minutes added to the clock), that didn’t stop us from having a great time. In a word, Escapism is a thrill, a truly heart- pounding experience that can and should bring you
and your friends closer together, because while the clock is ticking, and you become dangerously close to failing your mission (i.e. escaping), you have no one to rely on but your teammates. With a background in construction, Skantz originally brought Escapism to Hillcrest in the sum- mer of 2015. The first in the area, opened nearly two years ago, this “unique experience” is a lot more than just four walls surrounding its occupants…It’s about creating an artful experience. After choosing the location, which she eventually narrowed down from both Downtown and North Park spots, Skantz spent time in the building, familiarizing herself with the rooms, so as to get the most she could out of the space. “I needed time to actually feel the rooms and space, to determine what exactly I could do with them – how I could utilize every square inch.” Meticulous planning, sculpting and execution allows this game to be in existence and without Skantz’s keen attention to detail, the rooms may not have translated. But, translate they did… and very well I might add. Consumers choose from three different escapes: The Gallery, Attic and Dungeon. A fourth room, the Brewery, is currently under development. My friends and I had the pleasure of taking in Escapism’s “Gallery.” We were secret agents with a simple mission: Retrieve a hidden artifact and get out of the gallery before the alarm is triggered. Once locked in our room, a clock instantly starts winding down and you feel the pressure building.
Life or death may not exactly be on the table, but that doesn’t mean you’re not well aware of the predica- ment in front of you…It’s time to sink or swim! In a world where we’ve grown accustomed to relying on technology to do, well, everything for us, this task doesn’t permit the usage of cell phones or computers. That’s right kids, it’s just good old-fashioned teamwork: Only pen, paper and street smarts can save the day. Skantz hasn’t just created a fun, hands-on activity to pass an hour’s time, she’s established an exercise to bring friends and family together, allowing them to learn something they may not have known about each other, prior to the game. Circumstances force you to pay attention to one another, to use your words and actually act, with no screen or keyboard to hide behind. Escapism is open seven days a week. Though walk-ins are accepted, booking an appointment in advance is highly recommended, especially on weekends. Various ages and group sizes are welcomed to participate, however, younger ages and groups over eight people should call ahead of time so special accommodations can be made. If you’re searching for something fresh, entertaining and unpredictable to do in Hillcrest, then consider experiencing Escapism. After all, it’s just a game … Or is it?
Es.cap.ismis located at 3919 Fourth Ave, Suite A and is open daily. For more information or to make a reservation, call 619.866.2670 or go to
escapismsd.com.
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RAGE monthly | JUNE 2017
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