Room Escape Artist

You get what you give.

Location: New York, New York

Date Played: January 29, 2026

Team Size: 1; we recommend 1

Duration: about 60 minutes

Price: $78.50 per person

Ticketing: Private

Accessibility Consideration: The show and venue are ADA compliant.

Emergency Exit Rating: [A+] No Lock

Physical Restraints: [A+] No Physical Restraints

REA Reaction

It’s a rare delight to experience a show grow into what it always wanted to be.

The Haven is an immersive experience for an audience of one.

As I entered the show, I entered into an emotional journey, guided by the performer, but selected for me, by me. The experience was gentle, caring, and calm.

To appreciate this show, I had to stop my own tendencies to solve and accomplish a mission. Rather, I had to slow down and embrace self-reflection. If you’re not comfortable opening up about yourself and your experiences, this show will be challenging, or it just might not be for you. However, if you’re interested in this idea, this might be the most approachable version of such a show. It exists in an analogous space to Undersigned, but it’s a gentler take on a similar challenge.

The Haven went above and beyond in production value for an audience of one. From the scenery and props, to the lighting and sound design, to the hidden technology driving magical and memorable moments, it demonstrated a remarkable investment for just one person at a time. All of this was operated and presented seamlessly, with a high level of skill. For a temporary installation, it was truly extra.

I recommend The Haven to anyone open to self-reflection. This wasn’t the type of experience that I personally gravitate toward, but I challenged myself to embrace it, and I’m glad I did. It took me to a beautiful, comfortable environment, and it helped me make meaning out of my thoughts, taking me on a journey and delivering resolution.

Who is this for?

• Solo travelers – you can go into a show alone
• Those who are open to thinking about themselves and their own lives
• Scenery snobs, especially those who appreciate intimate scenery and props
• Any experience level

Why play?

• For a one-on-one immersive show, molded to you
• To reflect meaningfully
• The designed environment and memorable moments

Designed Environment

The Haven was set inside a Brooklyn building, in what might have previously been an office or a studio space. However, it had been completely remade into the comfortable and relaxing container for this show.

The set had multiple stages so that over the course of an hour, the audience member could move through physical space, alongside their emotional journey.

The decor was eclectic but designed. It felt of the past, with trinkets that could have been antiques and sturdy, wooden furniture. It was imbued with the comfort one feels from a study or library that seems to have always been there.

Individualized Experience

Each individual will have their own experience at this show. While the show and the performer guided my reflection, ultimately, it was on me – the audience member – to give of myself. To get something out of the show, I needed to let the performer in, and to do that, I needed to open up and reflect on my own choices, wants, and needs.

The Haven was not an escape room. It was structured, and it built toward a goal. However, that goal was not something to be solved through puzzles. A word of caution to the readers of Room Escape Artist: Don’t approach The Haven as something to solve, and don’t rummage around looking for clues. Follow the guidance of the show. Embrace it and reflect the way the show asks you to.

Magical Moments

There was an impressive amount of infrastructure for a one-on-one show. Overall the technology and timing worked well to heighten the experience.

The Haven turned each beat of the show into a memorable moment. In doing so, it successfully punctuated thoughts, transitioned scenes, and brought conversations to life.

The technology was solidly built and well-hidden. Through designed lighting and sound, the show directed my attention. And through technology, the environment was extra magical.

There were some opportunities to further enhance the magic, including one scene where the sound direction felt off, and another where a device seemingly didn’t turn off in the way one would expect (leading us each to wonder, independently, if it had broken.) Additionally, at one point David saw evidence of a stagehand. That said, The Haven has invested more than enough in each audience member’s individual experience, and we don’t think this further refinement is necessary for a short-term run for a limited audience.

While the technology was impressive, it was the natural magic that I found most delightful. It was a through line for the show, symbolic and deeply meaningful, with physical manifestation and a sweet resolution.

Safety & Comfort

The Haven was elegant, comfortable, and thought-provoking. It was an opportunity for inner reflection, guided by a performer and an environment, each thoughtfully designed down to the smallest of details.

The Haven was welcoming rather than challenging. With this experience, the only thing to be nervous about is letting your thoughts in. The experience will not put you in uncomfortable territory. (However, you might put yourself there, and that’s encouraged but certainly not required.)

Furthermore, The Haven left room for me to take the show in a direction that was meaningful to me. It didn’t dictate what I would reflect on. Rather, it provided open-ended suggestions to guide me safely to where I wanted to be, as long as I let it.

My one word of caution to the performer is to given the audience the time they need, especially early on. Early in the show, The Haven rushed me into a choice I hadn’t fully committed to. I realize I was probably taking longer than others, and the show was timed, but this was because I was trying to commit to the form of the show and make meaningful choices. If the show were to erode trust in any way, it would be making audience members rush, especially in earlier scenes.

Keepsakes

Room Escape Artist readers know that David and I aren’t into collecting stuff for the sake of it. An artifact has to be meaningful for us to want to keep it.

As part of the The Haven, we each found ourself in possession of a keepsake takeaway that was beautiful and meaningful. This is something we each will keep, and not because we feel we should, but because we actually value it.

The takeaway wasn’t the only keepsake in The Haven. The show is creating its own compilation of its audience’s experiences, so to experience The Haven is to be a part of a greater whole. Being a part of this added meaning to my experience. That said, I suggest that The Haven find a way to randomize how one late scene unfolds to protect the privacy of audience members who experience the show immediately before a friend or family member. The current setup led to a self-consciousness that broke my immersion.

Iteration

David and I saw the prototype of The Haven in the summer of 2024, 18 months ago. At that time, we appreciated the show, and we saw the vision, but it felt unbalanced in many ways. Interestingly, as two different individuals who each saw the show as an audience of one, we offered quite different critique.

We are impressed that creator Jessica Schoolman was able to incorporate many considerations from that initial run as she continued to develop this show into The Haven. This show was completely remade. When we left The Haven in 2026, we both felt that the show had changed dramatically, for the better, and each section above in this review highlights what is special about this show, and what is impressively leveled up from the prototype.

Most amazingly, Jessica did the thing she set out to do. It took a lot of resources and grit, but she brought her vision to life.

Tips For Visiting

• You could probably drive, but we always take the subway in NYC. Take the F to York St.
• We enjoyed dinner at Vinegar Hill House.

Book your hour with The Haven, and tell them that the Room Escape Artist sent you.

Disclosure: The Haven provided two complimentary performances.