DCPA OFF-CENTER PRODUCTION HISTORY
Off-Center began as a small experiment but has grown into a unique and ambitious line of programming. Learn more about the growth of Off-Center through our complete production history.
Production history
2023/24
The season’s campiest, quirkiest holiday tradition is returning to its original location — Stanley Marketplace — after a nearly sold-out run in 2019! Immerse yourself in a 15,000 square-foot, 360-degree kaleidoscope of yuletide cheer at this year’s Camp Christmas!
Hanzon Studios and DCPA Off-Center Present
Camp Christmas
Created by Lonnie Hanzon
Prepare yourself for a powerful immersive experience inspired by NASA missions aboard the International Space Station. On this unique journey, you will have access to never-seen-before 360-degree videos captured in space using advanced technology. Witness breathtaking views of Earth and gain a unique perspective into the daily life of astronauts through exclusive encounters with the international crew.
Infinity Experiences, Felix & Paul Studios and PHI Studio, in association with DCPA Off-Center
2022/23
Don’t just admire Van Gogh’s paintings – immerse yourself in them at the most visited multi-sensory experience in the world.
Mixed Taste in association with MCA Denver
Your favorite off-beat lecture series is back this summer in a new-ish location with two ways to tune in! This year Mixed Taste, presented in partnership with the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, will be at MCA’s new performance and programming space, the Holiday Theater! Join in person at the Holiday Theater or stream the events live online.
Created by Academy, Grammy and Tony Award-winning artist David Byrne (American Utopia) and writer Mala Gaonkar, Theater of the Mind uses stories from their own lives to shape a narrative you’ll see, feel, taste and hear. Go on an immersive journey inside how we see and create our worlds.
We’re back, Campers! Denver’s campiest, quirkiest holiday adventure is returning to Heritage Lakewood Belmar Park in 2022. Explore a six-acre winter wonderland and rekindle your sense of yuletide cheer at Camp Christmas!
2020/21
The Bright Lights of Denver combines the thrill of an investigative documentary podcast with opportunities for audience members to engage with the characters and discover new parts of the story through social media, live Q&A sessions, and by finding “Easter eggs” hidden at historic landmarks throughout the city. Produced as part of Powered By Off-Center, an open submission program for local artists of all disciplines to propose a COVID-safe theatrical experience.
Mixed Taste: At Home and Mixed Taste: Still At Home
The off-beat series fans have loved for over 18 years went virtual for the first time ever, with 6 events in summer, 2020 and a bonus mini-series in Feb-Mar, 2021. Co-produced with MCA Denver.
CARNE y ARENA in association with DCPA Off-Center
A groundbreaking and immersive virtual reality experience for one person at a time from acclaimed director Alejandro G. Iñárritu. In 2017, Iñárritu was presented a special Oscar® for CARNE y ARENA, recognized by the Academy as an exceptional storytelling experience.
Camp Christmas in association with DCPA Off-Center
Following the successful debut of Camp Christmas as an in-person, immersive experience in 2019, creator Lonnie Hanzon has reimagined his holiday extravaganza for the pandemic with an online world to explore and artisanal care packages delivered right to your door.
The Whiskey Tasting in association with DCPA Off-Center
Real-life whiskey included!
Three households virtually join together for a whiskey tasting, exploring the history and nuanced varieties of this spirit. But as the bartender begins to divulge details about their own life, audiences are inspired to toast to the moments that brought them to where they are today. An online, immersive theatre experience produced by The Catamounts in association with DCPA Off-Center.
2019/20
A live-action game that makes you the hero! Players suit up and work as a team to gather information, solve puzzles, and make increasingly difficult decisions in real-time.
Co-produced with MCA Denver, this lecture series pairs two experts on completely unrelated topics. Topics included Mad King Ludwig & Bee Fences, Celery & Emo Rap, and Julia Child & Nordic LARPing.
Not for the faint of festivity, this over-the-top indoor immersive installation in the 10,000-square-foot Hangar at Stanley Marketplace turns the holiday spirit all the way up with mesmerizing displays of decorations that shift time and reality.
2018/19
Co-produced with MCA Denver, this lecture series pairs two experts on completely unrelated topics. Topics included Hygge & Psycho, Incorrupt Saints & Hot Pockets, and Crop Circles & Prenups.
Bite-Size: An Evening of Micro Theatre
Bite-Size brings you five short plays with bookish twists performed environmentally in and around BookBar, an independent bookstore and wine bar in the Tennyson Street Arts District.
Our final co-production with Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company of David Sedaris’ off-beat tales from his stint as a Macy’s elf in New York City.
To empower local artists to whip up bold new productions, Off-Center invites you to be a part of the development of two unique theatrical experiences.
A set of three unique one-on-one experiences with just you and an actor, created by some of the country’s leading immersive theatre artists. Choose from three experiences: a blind date, a card reading, or a whiskey tasting.
2017/18
Our first collaboration with MCA Denver, this lecture series pairs two experts on completely unrelated topics. Topics included Prohibition & Bob Ross, Asparagus & Money Laundering, and Air Traffic Control & Drag Queen Activism.
The Wild Party
A raucous 360˚ rendition of La Chuisa’s Roaring Twenties musical. Audiences are invited to dress up and attend a party in Queenie and Burrs’ Manhattan apartment where debauchery turns disastrous.
David Sedaris’ off-beat tales from his stint as a Macy’s elf in New York City are the sure cure for the common Christmas show.
This Is Modern Art
Called vandals, criminals, even creative terrorists, graffiti artists set out to make their voices heard and alter the way people view the world. A fully-fledged production following the staged readings in 2016/17.
Remote Denver
Audiences get to see the Mile High City from a new perspective as they swarm Denver in groups of 50 on an audio tour that guides the group’s movements in real-time.
2016/17
Cult Following
Themes: Rated G, SCRIPTprov™, Secrets & Confessions, Debates
Unscripted theatre featuring the quick-thinking talents of some of Denver’s best improv performers.
David Sedaris’ off-beat tales from his stint as a Macy’s elf in New York City are the sure cure for the common Christmas show.
This Is Modern Art – Staged Readings
Called vandals, criminals, even creative terrorists, graffiti artists set out to make their voices heard and alter the way people view the world. A one-night-only performed reading with DJ, spoken-word and Q&A.
DragOn
One fledgling drag queen. A team of comic-themed foes. The Pride and pop culture mash up of your fantasies.
Travelers of the Lost Dimension
With wit, wonderment and some dubious technology, join a ragtag group of explorers on an inter-dimensional journey to discover the fantastical realm within Stanley Marketplace.
2015/16
CULT FOLLOWING
Themes: Back to the Future, Karaoke Musical, Secrets & Confessions, Decide Your Destiny, and Karaoke Broadway Musical
Unscripted theatre featuring the quick-thinking talents of some of Denver’s best improv performers.
CARPE NOCTE + ITCHY-O’s HALLOWMASS
One night only – Halloween 2015 Carpe Nocte took an adventurous audience on a mystery bus ride and through unexpected rituals at the National Western Complex, where they were surprised to join a 900-person concert by itchy-O, a throbbing 32-piece band of masked chaos
David Sedaris’ off-beat tales from his stint as a Macy’s elf in New York City are the sure cure for the common Christmas show.
HOW I GOT OVER: Journeys in Verse
Five celebrated slam poets weave an interconnected story about womanhood, self-discovery, and adversity.
SWEET & LUCKY
An immersive theatre experience. A speakeasy antique shop. A labyrinth of devotion, passion, and remembrance.
2014/15
CULT FOLLOWING
KARAOKE MUSICAL, SECRETS & CONFESSIONS, and PIRATE SHIP
Unscripted theatre featuring the quick-thinking talents of some of Denver’s best improv performers.
Karaoke Musical Highlights Video
LORD OF THE BUTTERFLIES
A drag queen retelling of Lord of the Flies with delightful dancing, magnificent music, irreverent improv, and lots and lots of glitter.
Highlights Video
THE SANTALAND DIARIES
Our first co-production with Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company of David Sedaris’ off-beat tales from his stint as a Macy’s elf in New York City.
Highlights Video
KICK-OFF CABARET
Kickstarter meets lives performance as local projects strut their stuff to enlist your support.
Watch the Full Show
PERCEPTION
An immersive, multi-sensory, self-guided theatrical experience featuring mentalist Professor Phelyx, with live music by Tom Hagerman.
Highlights Video
2013/14
CULT FOLLOWING: theatre is the new movies
A live, unscripted movie created by six actors in the style of a movie genre selected by the audience.
Highlights Video
WHEEL OF MISFORTUNE: the scariest game show ever
A live taping of a new game show where contestants from the audience compete in everyday tasks made terrifyingly difficult. The winner gets cash, the loser has to spin the dreaded Wheel of Misfortune.
Watch a webisode
LIVED/RELIVED: the live realization of true stories
In partnership with The Narrators, three stories from Denver locals are brought to life on stage with music, video, puppets, and aerial dance.
Highlights Video
2012/13
CULT FOLLOWING: theatre is the new movies
A monthly live movie in real 3-D where six recurring actors improvise their way through a story that intertwines movie moments selected by the audience.
Behind the scenes video
DRAG MACINE: a drag queen time machine
Captain Shirley Delta Blow takes on us a journey through the history of drag and the gay rights movement.
Highlights video
AUDIO KICKS: photography meets audio meets dance
An experiment in isolated collaboration: ten original photographs, inspired ten different audio recordings that became the backdrop and soundtrack for a live dance performance.
Watch performance 1: “Chillin”
SWEAT: improv on bikes
A fully improvised indoor biking adventure led by two performers and a musician accompanying the action on a fully equipped musical tricycle.
Watch the trailer
2011/12
CULT FOLLOWING: theatre is the new movies
A monthly live movie where six recurring actors improvise their way through a story that incorporates five movie moments suggested by the audience.
Watch an alien movie moment
THE L&J&J PROJECT: a play about a blog about a movie about a book
A celebration of stunt blogger Lawrence Dai’s 365th viewing of Julie & Julia. It began outside of The Jones with Lawrence’s Fan Club and culminated with a screening of the movie complete with live actors, hundreds of pop-up slides, and live stunts like mass onion chopping.
Highlights video
SQUARE OF ICE: a Johnny Cash remix
An American Idol style competition where 15 local groups (ranging from folk singers to slam poets to filmmakers to ballerinas to a punk band) performed their best interpretation of Johnny Cash and competed for a $500 cash prize.
Highlights video
DATE*: do you believe in love at first site?
A digitally enhanced one-woman show about finding love online. Performed by one actress surrounded by projections representing the Internet and the 100+ online daters she interviewed.
Watch the trailer
2010/11
Before Off-Center was Off-Center we launched two prototype shows to experiment with what our programming might be like.
THE ULTIMATE WII BASEBALL GAME
An interactive Wii Baseball game complete with competing teams, concessions, a jumbotron, coaches, live commentators and a mascot.
Highlights video
HIP HOP JAMBALAYA
A collaboration of local talent combining all the ingredients of hip hop in one delicious dish.
Highlights video
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