present
A convening of performing arts organizations and immersive producers, creators, and industry professionals
November 13 – 15, 2023
Denver, Colorado
Learn about immersive entertainment, share in case studies and best practices,
build a network of presenting venues, connect with producers and creators, and make deals!
ABOUT
The Immersive Immersive is the first convening of its kind, aiming to build a national distribution network in support of immersive art and entertainment.It will bring together leaders, programmers, marketers and board members from 45 presenting and producing organizations across the country, along with immersive producers, creators, and other industry professionals from around the world. Together, we’ll learn, connect, strategize, experience immersive entertainment, expand our networks, discover new immersive projects, and make deals.
The convening will include opportunities to learn more about immersive entertainment and concrete steps presenters and venues can take to add immersive options to their existing programming. We’ll create a shared understanding of what immersive is, discuss the first (and next) steps that an organization can take to present immersive experiences, and learn from case studies about the financial and partnership models as well as the venue requirements that make an immersive experience successful.
Project pitches will be woven throughout The Immersive Immersive, featuring brief live presentations from producers/creators and culminating in a Pitch Fair where attendees can learn more about specific projects and have follow-up conversations.
Evening receptions will also include the opportunity to experience DCPA Off-Center’s Camp Christmas and Meow Wolf Convergence Station.
Join us in Denver for what will become a catalytic moment in our industry and help us create a sustainable ecosystem for the future.
FULL SCHEDULE
Monday, November 13
| 11:30am – 1:00pm | Registration & Lunch | Sign up for optional Tuesday affinity lunches |
| 1:00 – 1:20pm | Welcome & Land Acknowledgement Featuring: Charlie Miller (DCPA Off-Center), Sam Gilstrap (artist), Steven Wolff & Jon Faris (AMS Planning & Research) |
| 1:20 – 2:00pm | Opening Keynotes: Backpacking through the Immersive Cosmos Featuring: Noah Nelson (No Proscenium), Scarlett Kim (creative producer) |
| 2:00 – 3:35pm | Pitch Block 1 |
| 3:35 – 3:45pm | Break |
| 3:45 – 4:45pm | Case Studies: Immersive Van Gogh Community Engagement Featuring: Tom Gabbard & Bree Stallings (Blumenthal Performing Arts) Touring Space Explorers: The Infinite Featuring: Eric Albert & Julie Tremblay (PHI Studio) |
| 4:45 – 5:30pm | Panel Conversation: First Steps, Next Steps Moderated by: Steven Wolff (AMS) Featuring: Amy Ashton (La Jolla Playhouse), Tom Gabbard (Blumenthal), Scarlett Kim (creative producer), Charlie Miller (DCPA), Kamal Sinclair (The Music Center) |
| 6:00 – 7:30pm | Opening reception at Meow Wolf Convergence Station |
| 7:00 – 9:00pm | Visit Convergence Station on your own |
Thanks to our generous partner
Tuesday, November 14
| 8:30 – 9:00am | Breakfast | Bus sign-ups |
| 9:00 – 9:30am | Case Study: Sweet & Lucky Business Model Featuring: Courtney Ozaki & Charles Varin (DCPA Off-Center) |
| 9:30 – 10:30am | Pitch Block 2 |
| 10:30 – 10:40am | Break |
| 10:40 – 11:15am | Pitch Block 3 |
| 11:15am – 12:00pm | Panel Conversation: Learning from Experience – Moving the Work Forward Moderated by: Jon Faris (AMS) Featuring: Mikhael Tara Garver (Culture House), Mia Fiorella (La Jolla Playhouse), David I. Reynoso (Optika Moderna), Nate Koch (ENVEEKAY), Jenny Koons (independent director) |
| 12:00 – 1:30pm | Optional Affinity Lunches organized by Immersive Denver, or lunch on your own |
| 1:30 – 2:20pm | Town Hall: Where the Work Happens (a conversation about venues) Moderated by: Betty Hart (Local Theatre Company, Colorado Theatre Guild) |
| 2:20 – 2:30pm | Break |
| 2:30 – 3:40pm | Pitch Block 4 |
| 3:40 – 4:00pm | Case Study: Accessibility in Theater of the Mind Featuring: Regan Linton (accessibility consultant) |
| 4:30pm | Busses depart for Camp Christmas |
| 5:00 – 6:30pm | Visit Camp Christmas |
| 6:00 – 8:30pm | Reception at Stanley Beer Hall |
| 7:30 – 9:00pm | Busses return to the DCPA/Westin |
Wednesday, November 15
| 8:30 – 9:00am | Breakfast |
| 8:30 – 10:45am | Pitch Fair |
| 10:45 – 11:00am | Break |
| 11:00am – 12:00pm | Learning From Audiences: Data from WolfBrown and DCPA Off-Center Featuring: Alan Brown, Marco Bruscoli (WolfBrown), Emily Kent (DCPA) |
| 12:00 – 12:05pm | Break |
| 12:05 – 12:20pm | Recap and Learnings Featuring: Steven Wolff, Jon Faris (AMS) |
| 12:20 – 12:40pm | Imagining an Immersive Future Featuring: Mikhael Tara Garver (Culture House) |
| 12:40 – 1:00pm | Final Experiential Moment Created by Jenny Koons |
| 1:00 – 4:00pm | Lunch (on your own) and free time/space for follow-up meetings and conversations |
PLAN YOUR VISIT
The Immersive Immersive will take place in the Seawell Ballroom at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. Enter the Arts Complex at 14th and Curtis Street and walk through the galleria to the Ballroom in the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex at the far end of the complex on the right.
Ground Transportation
From the airport, you can take the A-Line train ($10.50) from the airport to Union Station, within walking distance (or a short car ride) to the DCPA and downtown hotels. Ride share apps should cost between $45 and $70, and cabs will cost around $70.
Once downtown, the best way to get around is by walking, scooters, and ride share apps. To get to Meow Wolf Convergence Station from the DCPA, you can walk (25 minutes), go by bike or scooter (10 minutes), or take a ride share (5 minutes). We will provide charter busses to take you to Stanley Marketplace and back for Camp Christmas on Tuesday (25-minute drive).
Other things to do in Denver
- Immersive Denver features up-to-date information and listings of local immersive experiences
- Visit Denver has comprehensive arts and culture and event listings
- Casa Bonita is closed Sunday through Tuesday but will be open on Wednesday, November 15
- If you’d like to see a show, the DCPA Theatre Company’s Clyde’s has a 1:30pm Sunday matinee and 7pm weeknight performances; Opera Colorado’s Don Giovanni has a 2pm Sunday matinee.
- 5280 Magazine has great suggestions for downtown restaurants
- Museums within walking distance of the DCPA:
CONTACT
Questions? Contact offcenter@dcpa.org