Interviewee:
Ash Reed (She/her)
In your own words, tell us about your business, organization, or initiative.
dead puppy society is an immersive horror brand creating custom monsters, masks, costumes, and effects-driven storytelling for haunted houses, theatrical productions, and horror events. We help horror creators build characters and experiences that linger long after the lights come up.
Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do. Share your passions for your business, organization, or initiative.
With a background in live events, producing large-scale experiences for Fortune 500 companies and major technology brands with audiences of 10,000+, I built my career around creating memorable, immersive moments. That same foundation in performance, production, and audience engagement led me to channel my passion for horror into a
more creative experiential outlet: dead puppy society.
A performer since childhood, my experience spans full-stage musical productions, live presentation work for tech conferences, and scare acting. I have performed for audiences ranging from intimate productions to crowds of 2,500, and I understand how to command attention, embody a character, and create moments people remember.
Through dead puppy society, I combine performance with horror craftsmanship—bringing characters to life through scare acting, custom mask making, monster design, set elements, and immersive visual storytelling. My work is rooted in the belief that the best
horror experiences are not just seen, but felt long after the night is over.
What is the last thing you read, watched, or listened to that had an impact on you?
I recently did a rewatch of the Purge movies and it was a reminder of the classism that still exists and its perpetuated by those in power. It is our responsibility to come together as communities and fight oppression.
What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you or your business?
I only started making masks in 2025 after working in a haunted house and wanting a solution for the uncomfortable plastic and full silicon masks available. My first mask was a huge success, I wore it in the haunted for the rest of the season, and a new passion and business was born!
What is Creative Collective?
Creative Collective delivers comprehensive business services – marketing promotion, technical assistance, business consulting, and advocacy at all levels – for Essex County entrepreneurs, creators, and innovators. We support the whole person, not just the business, through a collaborative community where members learn from each other, not just from us, because we know thriving businesses are built by thriving humans supporting each other. Learn more and join Creative Collective at www.creativecollectivema.com/join
