My Story

Hello, I'm Donald Dean, a seasoned freelance prop builder with two decades of experience in creating immersive attractions and props of all kinds. My passion lies in crafting escape rooms, haunted houses, amusement center attractions, with a special dedication to the magic of movies and screen used props. Over the past 20 years, my portfolio has grown to includes over two dozen escape rooms and advisory roles for haunted houses worldwide as well as custom props on every continent. My journey in the arts began at a the young age of 6 years old when I was gifted my first magic trick. Since then I have created many unique original magic effects as well as improved upon some older concepts used in the art of magic and illusion. When I started high school, I led technical teams for lighting, sound, and set production for the theatre department where I learned the fundamentals of making. It quickly turned into an unquenchable thirst for more knowledge and experience so I set out to become proficient in carpentry, fabrication, electrical engineering, set design, and practical special effects. I've collaborated with industry leaders such as Halloween productions, RJ Productions, Break All Productions, and Cree 8 Studios among others. Notable creative collaborations include my work with the world famous band Imagine Dragons,  Escapology,  PanIQ Room, and the legendary haunted attraction in St. Louis: THE DARKNESS. Committed to bringing imaginative concepts to life, my ultimate goal is to break into the film industry and contribute my skills and knowledge to the production of full scale films and television shows. My career is a continuous learning experience, growing with each project and collaboration. I owe much of my work ethic to my mother, who instilled in me the value of hard work and honesty. My approach is dedicated to functionality, longevity, and problem solving all while keeping my work practical, relevant, innovative and within budget! Feel free to explore my past projects, and don't hesitate to reach out with any questions! I look forward to creating with you!