Art and Artist: Micah White lives out of the box (office)

Micah White

Off-Center’s mission at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts  is to think out of the box. And, sometimes, out of the box office.

The host of Off-Center’s devilish live game show Wheel of Misfortune was the DCPA’s devilish Director of I.T., Bruce Montgomery. On Friday, the emcee of Off-Center’s Season 5 launch party will be Micah White, a man whose national theatre credits include the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap and Theatre for A New Audience.

Off-stage, that is.

By day, White is the DCPA’s 31-year-old Box Office Subscription Manager.

“Oh I am not an actor,” White said with a laugh. “I think maybe I have an inner performer that I just don’t really pursue.”

And yet, White is, by all outward appearances, a natural performer. He is outgoing, personable and comes alive whenever the topic of conversation turns to numbers – whether of the Broadway musical variety, like, say, Kinky Boots, or of the mathematical variety. Like the one from just last week, when the box office reported reaching the milestone of 20,000 combined Broadway and Theatre Company subscribers for the season. White really likes that number.

On Friday night, White will emcee Off-Center’s Kick-Off Party and Mile High Mashup, a full evening of entertainment at The Jones Theatre that will include a DJ, a rock ’n roll flash-mob choir, a 9-year-old lemonade baron, live music and improv comedy from Off-Center’s own Cult Following ensemble.

READ ABOUT BAR CHOIR AT FRIDAY’S SEASON OPENER

But while White does not consider himself a performer, he will not be completely out of his element. After all, growing up in Virginia, young White played Theseus in his 5th grade production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. He sang show choir in high school and has dabbled in stand-up.

“I can honestly say that I was in a Grammy-winning choir when I was in college,” White said. “To be fair, they won the Grammy the year before I joined. But if I joined the Rolling Stones tomorrow, I could honestly say I am a member of a Grammy-winning rock band … right?”

He earned his degree in Arts Management at Shenandoah University in Virginia, a conservatory where he learned jazz and classical piano. In Denver, White can be seen every Wednesday night as a “Geeks Who Drink” quizmaster at the Nicolo’s Pizza in Capitol Hill.

He claims to have no idea why Off-Center Producing Curator Emily Tarquin asked him to host Friday’s season-launch party. “Chris Parente may be out of town,” he said of the popular KDVR Everyday morning-show host (and occasional Off-Center improv comedian).

But “why wouldn’t you pick Micah?” said Tarquin. “He’s funny, he’s musical and he has a great personality.” 

Micah White, far left. Photo by John Moore.
Micah White, far left, was an audience member at Off-Center’s season launch party last year. This time around, he’s the host. Photo by John Moore.

Arts organizations around the country like the DCPA, she said, tend to be filled with artistic people throughout the staff, regardless of the position they actually work. Montgomery – the aforementioned I.T. guru – is also a seasoned actor and improv comedian. Megan Fevurly, Business Manager in the DCPA’s Development office, is also a playwright whose Tightrope was just accepted into the Athena Project Festival’s 2016 Plays in Progress Series.

White came to Colorado – and the DCPA – in August 2014. As the Box Office Subscription Manager, he supervises more than 30 agents. But on Friday, he said, “My job will be to keep the show moving, and to make sure everyone is having a fun time in the process.”

Sadly, White will not be performing under a stage name. “The show is not about me,” he said. But he does promise it will be fun.

“It’s going to give you a good preview of everything that Off-Center has to offer this upcoming season,” White said. “I think Off-Center is ideal for people who maybe like a little more lively and interactive theatrical experience; something off the beaten path. And on top of that, you get free booze. Your ticket gets you a free Great Divide beer as well as a free Breckenridge Distillery vodka or bourbon of your choice.”

And then on Monday, it’s back to the box office.

John Moore was named one of the 12 most influential theater critics in the U.S by American Theatre Magazine in 2011. He has since taken a groundbreaking position as the Denver Center’s Senior Arts Journalist.


CLICK HERE TO SEE PHOTOS FROM LAST YEAR’S PARTY

Ticket information: Off-Center’s Kick-Off Party and Mile High Mashup:

  • Friday, Oct. 9
  • Bar Choir rehearsal begins at 6:30 p.m. Pre-show drinks start at 7, show at 8
  • Jones Theatre, at the intersection of Speer Boulevard and Arapahoe streets
  • Cost $15
  • To participate in Bar Choir, order online and click the “Bar Choir” ticket option. Arrive  at 6:30 p.m. to learn your song, and your group will later perform as a part of the event. No preparation and no pressure. (No show-choir outfits required, either).
  • Call 303-893-4100 or
    BUY ONLINE
  • Also: Purchase in person at The Denver Center Ticket Office, located at the Helen Bonfils Theatre Complex lobby. Buy and print online at Denvercenter.org.
  • Beer provided by Great Divide. Vodka and Bourbon provided by Breckenridge Distillery
  • More info on Off-Center: Go to Off-Center’s home page

Previous DCPA ‘Art and Artist’ profiles:
Costume Crafts Director Kevin Copenhaver
Stage manager Jennifer Schmitz
Costume Designer Megan Anderson Doyle
Graphic Designer Kyle Malone
Stage Manager Kurt Van Raden
Teaching Artist Jessica Austgen
Head of Acting Lawrence Hecht
Lighting Designer Charles MacLeod
Director of I.T. Bruce Montgomery
Stage Manager Lyle Raper

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