Meet Our Cast

MEET OUR CAST

Character: Will Moore

Matthew Smaldone

Matthew Smaldone (Will) has been professionally acting on the stage and in front of the camera for over 7 years. He began his career in Philadelphia, where he worked with the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival after receiving a degree in theatre at DeSales University. During Covid, he moved back home to Colorado where he began acting primarily in television and film, appearing in numerous commercials and films, most recently as Hughie in the feature film Letting Go of Jack. Aside from acting, Matthew serves as CEO and Head Writer/Director for the Denver-based production company Chameleon Film Studios, where he has just finished filming his second feature film entitled The Scars of Our Hands. Matthew loves fly-fishing, traveling, and playing DnD with his fellow nerds. He is incredibly excited for you to see First Haunt! He had so much fun portraying Will. "The farcical elements of the story's love triangle were so much fun to play, especially because Will gets to be in the middle of it!”

Character: Alice Castillo

Mercedes Murguia

Mercedes Murguia is a classically trained actress, receiving her BS in theatre from Utah Tech University! She’s appeared in over a dozen films, including other HumorHurts productions like Chasing Shadows and Melting Down. She's also appeared in over dozen stage productions, like How I Learned to Drive, The Wolves, and The Magician's Sister. In addition to that she's been a part of plenty commercials and won several awards for her craft. Outside of acting, Mercedes spends her time crafting, baking, and making memories with her family. Mercedes loves acting in all it's forms for the connections it creates with the audience, cast, and crew. She had an incredible time during the making of First Haunt and she can't wait for you to meet Alice.

Character: Claire Daniels

Rachel Bennett

Rachel Bennett is a Canadian actor based in Utah, known for upcoming films First Haunt, Love Unpublished, and Jump Scare, set for release in 2024. With a BA in Theatre Arts, Rachel’s onstage endeavors include Emilia in Little Rock Theatre Co.’s Othello, and the titular role in Dam Good Productions’ Antigone. Beyond her acting pursuits, Rachel actively refines her craft through improv workshops at ComedySportz and Improv Broadway. When not immersed in the world of entertainment, she finds joy in outdoor adventures, cat videos, and writing poetry.

Evan

Logan Squire

Logan Squire attended Utah Valley University (UVU), where he studied acting in the Bachelor’s of Fine Arts Program. After attending UVU, Logan went on to work professionally with companies like, Lionsgate, Angel Studios, Hallmark, BYU TV and CBS in Film and TV as well as popular brands including, Stanley Cups, Built Bar, and Spylt Chocolate Milk in commercial work. Logan also spends his free time performing in local community theatre’s such as Hale Center Theatre and West Valley Arts. Logan’s excited to be joining the cast of First Haunt as Evan. Just like Evan he loves to play board games, one of his favorite games is Exploding Kittens! His least favorite is monopoly. Gross…

Hal

Trevor Komm

Trevor Komm studied Acting at BYU, where his most prominent theatre role was Mr. Bingley in a production of Pride and Prejudice. While at BYU, Trevor also gained experience acting in student short films. He graduated in 2022 and has been acting professionally ever since! Playing Hal in First Haunt marks Trevor's first role in a feature film, and he couldn't have asked for a better experience. After filming finished, he booked his first commercial and has since acted in a number of projects, his favorite being a Smokey Bear commercial. Trevor's thrilled to be a part of First Haunt, and just like his character Hal, he loves playing board games. One of his favorite games is Monopoly because he loves ruining friendships. His absolute least favorite game is Exploding Kittens. I mean, it's not even a real board game. What kind of idiot would enjoy playing that?

Frank

Teo Santos

Matheus Santos, known professionally as Teo Santos, was most recently featured as a supporting character in the films Image of You along side Pretty Little Liars star Sasha Pieterse and indie film Omaha along side Past Lives lead actor John Margo. His work is featured in a variety of short films, commercials for companies such as Delta Airlines and Walt Disney, and he is published in several men's fashion magazines. Regarding his role as Frank in his recent feature film First Haunt he said, “first off, I love the story. It’s a murder mystery nestled in a RomCom and I’m a sucker for both. I love playing characters where I get to play with the intricacies and nuances of human behavior. No one person in the world, for the most part, is purely good or bad. We’re all complex beings and being able to lean into and play with that is always fun for me.

Harper

Robyn Mccowan

Robyn McCowan began acting at a young age, appearing as Rhonda in the Bad Seed. Most recently, she has turned to comedy, including comedy sketches with Humor Hurts Productions! Outside of acting Robyn spends her time teaching first grade as well as with her family watching movies, playing games, and watching her grandson grow up. Robyn makes her big screen debut as Harper in First Haunt!

Dale

Jake Ulasich

Jake Ulasich has been in the Utah Indie film industry for over a decade. He is a versatile actor who has enjoyed playing a plethora of roles, from eccentric local doctor, to snarky doofus date, to regretful father, to psychopathic killer, and many others in between. He is devoted to his craft and works hard to bring each character to life. Jake has loved acting from a young age, and grew up doing theater in high school and college..You can still see him occasionally doing plays in local theaters. He is devoted to his family, spends time writing and playing music, and acts as often as he can. Jake loved getting to work on "First Haunt," and looks forward to it being shared with the world.

George

Richard Hill

My first stage appearance (as the blind guy, Don Baker, in the hippie romance “Butterflies Are Free”) happened during my sophomore year at Dixie Junior College in St George UT. 1972, I think. I kept acting (like a fool) for fifty years, in places like the Pennsylvania Festival Theater, the Utah/Houston/Three Rivers Shakespeare Festivals, at the Kennedy Center for the Archaesus Mime Co., the Nina Vance Alley Theater in Houston, and at Tuacahn and the Simonfest Theaters in Utah. I’m an old stage bum - and a bumbling newcomer to film work, thanks to my young mentors back home (here in St George). Full circle.

mEET THE CREW