NOTE: “The Haunting of the Mishler” event scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 30, at the Mishler Theatre has been canceled. Blair County Arts Foundation Executive Director Kate Shaffer said low ticket sales prompted the decision.

Seeking Halloween chills and thrills? Then visit the Mishler Theatre Wednesday when the combined talents of local arts organizations will be displayed in a “first-ever” event starting at 6 p.m. and includes special screening of a classic horror film and much more.

Attendees to “The Haunting of the Mishler” are encouraged to come in costume and participate in a haunted Hollywood and undead PA red carpet event to start the evening, organizers said. The night includes a special screening of the classic “Night of the Living Dead” — which was filmed in Pennsylvania in 1968 — as well as a sneak-peek of a 2024 Centre Film Festival horror short film “Cut Me If You Can.” Special guests from ACT and the Altoona Symphony Orchestra will bring additional touches. Winners of the costume contest will be announced at SAMA Altoona, 1210 11th Ave., after the screening.

Such a display of local talent demonstrates how film productions combine the artistry from visual, dramatic and musical arts into a powerful package. Pearl Gluck, who is a Penn State associate professor, a filmmaker and co-founder of the Centre Film Festival, said by adding these elements to the special film screenings, the event demonstrates “how it all really comes together” in a film production. Plus, “we’re pairing this classic and iconic horror film with a new short, comedy spoof of the iconic made-in-Pa. film. But most of all it’s going to be fun.”

The fun is also an effort to promote local arts organizations, a budding film industry in Pa. and creates community engagement. “It’s a first and a one-of-a-kind event,” she said.

Working with the film festival organizers are the Blair County Arts Foundation, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art, Altoona Community Theatre, and the Altoona Symphony Orchestra.

Kate Shaffer, executive director of the BCAF, stated in a news release: “It’s not only wonderful to be developing a partnership with a successful Centre County event, but it truly grows central PA as a destination and presents the BCAF and Mishler Theatre yet another opportunity to collaborate with this community’s outstanding arts and cultural groups.”

Representing the Altoona Symphony Orchestra will be Spooky Strings, a quartet performing Halloween/atmospheric music, the Herrera-Register Flute & Guitar Duo adding music to Spiritz Lounge and musician Melanie Ramsey, who will be in the entryway vestibule doing a novelty act with social media promotion appeal, said ASO Executive Director Amanda Selvenis.

The event will be hosted by ENIGMA from The Divas, a performance organization operated by Michael DePiro of Altoona. The event also serves as a fundraiser for the 2024/2025 Centre Film Festival and will help bring films and filmmakers to the community next year.

The Centre Film Festival will be held this year Nov. 11-17 at The State Theatre in State College and the Rowland Theatre in Philipsburg, but is exploring the idea of expanding to Altoona in 2025, Gluck said.

“Our film festival is not just about presenting and sharing a wide variety of entertaining, artistic and thought-provoking films, but it is about building community, supporting the arts, and sharing amazing films in our treasured historic PA theaters. The Mishler is a gorgeous venue and Kate and her team are some of the absolute best to work with,” Gluck said.

All attendees are invited to a post-screening party featuring a costume contest, spooky music throughout the galleries and dessert and beverages at SAMA Altoona.

SAMA Altoona site director Dante DiAndrea said the organization “is thrilled to be able to support this collaborative evening with our arts community. We support this event because we believe the arts are stronger together and we know we have great potential to grow Altoona as a central cultural hub.”

DePiro, a local film producer and founder of Untitled Productions Co. of Altoona, said the evening goes “beyond offering a space for filmmakers and film enthusiasts to connect” and is “showcasing the potential of Central Pennsylvania as a thriving hub for film production and economic development through the movie industry.”

Mirror Staff Writer Patt Keith is at 814-949-7030.