CT HorrorFest

Cassandra Peterson

From the top of her beehive hairdo to the bottom of her stiletto heels, Elvira personifies the horror genre in one spooky, sexy, fun package.

Played by actress Cassandra Peterson, Elvira was the first horror host ever to air on national TV and she has emerged as one of pop culture’s most original and outrageous characters.

Elvira’s reign has now spanned 40 years and includes her long-running nationally syndicated television series, Movie Macabre and two feature films Elvira, Mistress of the Dark and Elvira’s Haunted Hills.

Cassandra’s film appearances include Peewee’s Big Adventure, All About Evil, and the upcoming The Munsters, directed by Rob Zombie. Elvira’s TV appearances include Search for the Next Elvira, Oddities, Counting Cars, Halloween Wars, Storage Wars, Ru Paul’s Drag Race, 13 Nights of Elvira for Hulu, The Goldbergs, and the voice of an animated Elvira in Happy Halloween Scooby Doo!

The Elvira brand is worldwide and has generated thousands of products, including pinball machines, slot machines, mobile games, Funko POPs!, jewelry, party décor, 3 comic book series, a macabre edition Vespa, Pez dispensers, costumes, a Chia Pet, a Living Dead doll, a newly released (2022) action figure from NECA, costumes, makeup and more.

In 2021 Cassandra released her long-awaited memoir, Yours Cruelly, Elvira from Hachette Book Group, which became an instant New York Times Bestseller. She also co-wrote and starred in AMC Shudder Channel’s Elvira’s
40th Anniversary Very Scary, Very Special, Special and starred in a national Netflix Halloween ad campaign.

David Howard Thornton

With the departure of Mike Giannelli after the anthology film All Hallow’s Eve, writer/director Damien Leone was tasked with finding a new actor to fill Art the Clown’s huge, bloody shoes. Thankfully for him, in walked a gifted voice actor from Alabama with a talent for scaring the hell out of people who aren’t normally even afraid of clowns.

David Howard Thornton has brought the perfect amount of brutal hilarity to the character of Art the Clown during his portrayals in Terrifier and Terrifier 2 and we’re excited to see where he can take the character in the future!

We are thrilled to bring David Howard Thornton to CT HorrorFest 2023!

Film: Terrifier, Terrifier 2, The Exigency, The Dark Offerings, The Mean One, Night of the Living Dead 2

Television: Gotham, Nightwing: Escalation, The Bravest Knight, Alma’s Way

Voicework: Two Worlds ii Pirates of the Flying Fortress, The Invizimals: The Lost Kingdom, Miss Hokusai

Damien Leone

 A student of special effects makeup and a lifelong horror fan, Damien Leone always knew he wanted to unleash loads of screen-gore unto the masses. Then in 2008, he wrote and directed a short film titled The 9th Circle which featured a character he created named Art the Clown.

Based on the reaction to that character, he gave Art his own short film in 2011 titled Terrifier. Word about this underground blood-fest circulated which led to an anthology film featuring the demented clown and now two stand-alone films – the most recent of which is currently still filling theaters with horror-obsessed Art fans.

Please welcome writer/director Damien Leone to 2023’s CT HorrorFest!

Film: The 9th Circle, All Hallow’s Eve, Terrifier, Terrifier 2, Frankenstein vs. the Mummy

Kane Hodder

Quinn Lord

Our next guest got his start in his own living room where, at the age of five, he was memorizing scenes from Star Wars and Indiana Jones and performing them for his parents and anyone else who would watch. By the time he was six, his parents had him enrolled in an improv class and he started doing commercial work.

He then made the jump to TV shows and landed roles in popular shows like Supernatural, Smallville and Stargate SG-1. At the ripe old age of seven, he auditioned for, and won, the role of Sam in the Halloween cult classic film Trick ‘r Treat. Since then, Quinn has been nominated for the Young Artist Award as Best Leading Young Actor in a Feature Film for his role as Thomas Whitman in the 2012 feature film Imaginaerum and he can currently be seen on the Netflix show Firefly Lane.

We are thrilled to bring Quinn Lord to CT HorrorFest in 2023!

Films: Trick ‘r Treat, Deck the Halls, The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus, In Their Skin, Imaginaerum, Deadman Standing, The Possession

Television: The Man in the High Castle, Smallville, Supernatural, Stargate SG-1, Fringe, Firefly Lane

Bill Moseley

A Yale grad born in Stamford, CT, Bill Moseley got his start writing for magazines like ‘National Lampoon’ and ‘Omni’ before turning his sights to acting in his late twenties. In only his second role, he won over horror fans with his portrayal of Leatherface’s brother “Chop-Top” in Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 in 1986.

Bill kept busy during the rest of the 80’s and 90’s with films like Silent Night, Deadly Night 3, Tom Savini’s Night of the Living Dead and Army of Darkness but it was his turn as Otis in Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses that truly reignited his legend in the horror genre.

Please join us in welcoming the incredible Bill Moseley to CT HorrorFest in 2023!

Films: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2, Army of Darkness, Night of the Living Dead (1990), Honey I Blew Up the Kid, House of 1000 Corpses, The Devil’s Rejects, 3 from Hell

Jonathan Breck

Our next guest is from the big state of Texas where he played football and graduated with a degree in business studies from Baylor University. After several years of a successful career in medical sales, Jonathan Breck decided to chase his dreams of being an actor. He spent a few years on the stage before landing some television roles; including a stint on Star Trek: Voyager.

In  2001, Jonathan won the role that made him a star in the eyes of horror fans as he became The Creeper in Jeepers Creepers; a role that he has since reprised for the series’ sequels.

Join us in welcoming The Creeper, Jonathan Breck, to CT HorrorFest 2023!

Films: Jeepers Creepers, Jeepers Creepers 2, Jeepers Creepers III, W., Everybody Wants Some!!

Television: Star Trek: Voyager, I Married a Monster, V.I.P., JAG, Friday Night Lights

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Nick Castle

Nick Castle was no stranger to Hollywood before his turn as “The Shape” in John Carpenter’s Halloween. Nick’s father was a mainstay in television, theater, and film as an actor/dancer/choreographer and after young Nick was born, he was often used in small roles in his dad’s films.

However, it was while studying film at USC that he and his classmate/friend John Carpenter first got a taste of the big time as a short film that they both co-wrote (The Resurrection of Broncho Billy) won the Academy Award for Best Live-Action Short Film in 1970.

Nick then worked on Dark Star with John Carpenter before John asked him to portray the killer Michael Myers in 1978’s Halloween and he has subsequently returned for roles in Halloween (2018), Halloween Kills, and Halloween Ends.

We are thrilled to welcome Nick Castle back to CT HorrorFest for the 45th anniversary of the 1978 Halloween!

Actor: Halloween (1978 & 2018), Halloween Kills, Halloween Ends, Escape from New York, Dark Star

Writer: Skatetown USA, Escape from New York, Hook, August Rush

Director: Tag: The Assassination Game, The Last Starfighter, The Boy Who Could Fly

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Charles Cyphers

Nancy Kyes

As we celebrate the 45th anniversary of John Carpenter’s Halloween, we would be remiss not to include Laurie Strode’s best friend Annie Brackett in the fun. After working with John Carpenter on 1976’s Assault on Precinct 13, Nancy Kyes (Loomis) was chosen by Carpenter to round out the trio of friends that included PJ Soles and Jamie Lee Curtis in 1978’s Halloween.

Having retired from her acting career shortly after it really began, Nancy now spends her time sculpting and teaching acting classes in Los Angeles.

We are happy to welcome back Nancy to CT HorrorFest!

Films: Halloween, Halloween II, Halloween III: Season of the Witch, Assault on Precinct 13, The Fog.

PJ Soles

Is CT HorrorFest scary?

Not unless you find meeting celebrities and shopping awesome vendors scary. Some people come dressed in costumes. But don't expect a haunted house or to be chased by someone with a chainsaw.

What time should I arrive as an attendee and buy tickets?

Any time. Tickets will be on sale both days at the door.

But can the event sell out?

Yes. The venue can only fit so many people and as such, we have allotted a certain number of tickets for Friday and a certain number for Saturday. We will keep track and make “low ticket alert” announcements on social media if either day that is getting near sell out.

I purchased a Saturday ticket but have decided to come Sunday instead, is that okay?

Pre-purchased tickets are non-transferrable. If you show up on Sunday with a “Saturday” ticket, you will need to purchase a new ticket to gain entry.

Does my ticket also cover celebrity autograph fees?

No, your ticket purchase gets you entry into the event, allows you to shop the vendors, entry into the panel discussions, and the chance to line up and purchase a celebrity autograph/photo.

What if the line to meet a certain celebrity becomes too long?

We’ve had this problem in the past and this year we will be instituting a ticketing system should the need arise during the show. More to come on that.

Can I come in costume?

Of course!

How much are autographs?

Autographs are priced at the discretion of the talent. The last few years on the East Coast, autographs have ranged from $20-$200. We will do our best to publish a list of autograph/photo prices a few days before the event, provided that they get us the information ahead of time.

Is there an ATM onsite?

Yes. 

My costume has a weapon is that OK?

All costume props must be inspected at the front desk. Because of safety reasons, we cannot allow any real or sharp weapons into the venue without being checked.

Can I have my machete/knife, etc. signed by a celebrity?

No.

What happens if the convention is canceled?

If for any reason the convention is canceled, we will refund all ticket purchases and vendor tables within 30 days.

What happens if the celebrity you are coming to meet cancels?

As the event promoters, we hope that no one cancels; that is truly a nightmare for us. We understand that you may have purchased a ticket to meet one specific person, but celebrity cancellations are out of our control. We do not offer refunds for this reason - the show will go on.

I’m having an issue with another attendee, what do I do?

Please do not take any matters like this into your own hands. Whatever your issue is, let a staff member know and we will take care of it.

My friend is running a haunted house or has a horror-podcast or another business, can I hand out flyers at CTHF?

No. Attendees are not allowed to distribute, stickers, cards, or any promotional item without prior approval from CTHF. Our vendors and sponsors pay for the ability to promote their haunts, events, businesses, etc. so it would be unfair to allow attendees to do the same for free.

Will there be food?

The venue will have approved food vendors on site selling food, snacks, and beverages (including beer and wine).

Will you be adding more guests?

We will continue to announce guests on a rolling basis as the show draws near.

Can I smoke?

There is no smoking of any materials, including vaping or e-cigarettes, allowed in the Naugatuck Event Center. You are free to go outside and smoke and re-enter the event.

Can I take photos of vendors and/or celebrities?

With their permission, yes.

Can I interview some of the celebrities for my podcast during CTHF?

No, the celebrities are there to meet with fans and we need the lines to move at a steady pace so that they're able to meet with everyone without interruption.

I want to record a panel and post it on YouTube or live stream a panel/event. Is that cool?

Live-streaming or posting your personal panel recordings online is not allowed. CT HorrorFest will post professional recordings of all panels and events from both days on their YouTube page following the event for any you may have missed, and you are free to repost those.

I’m leaving for the day and want to give my friend my wristband so they can enter.

Anyone attempting to enter CT HorrorFest with a wristband that looks damaged or used will have that wristband removed and will need to purchase a ticket to enter.