Age: 35. Neighborhood: Marcy-Holmes, Mpls. Occupation: Theater artist; this year's director of the Soap Factory's Haunted Basement.

Q: What new tricks do you guys have up your sleeves for the Haunted Basement?

A: I can't tell you! Knowing our diabolical plans would kill the anticipation. I can tell you that all of the environments are completely new and will play on your darkest fears.

Q: Your list of occupations includes clown. Did you go to school for that?

A: Yes. I attended the University of Minnesota, which had a great course on physical comedy, then later the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theater in Blue Lake, Calif. I also took workshops, master classes and watched a lot of Buster Keaton films. I studied European clown style, which tends to be more theatrical.

Q: What are your biggest phobias?

A: Being eaten by sharks, getting stuck in large crowds and sunburns.

Q: What do you spend your time doing when you're not thinking of ways to creep people out?

A: Some sort of theatrical project with my company, Live Action Set. Otherwise, I like to have coffee dates with friends and make up songs. I also love to swim.