That’s a wrap!
Immersive Denver, in partnership with After Hours Theater Company and The Immersive Experience Institute, and with support from Denver Center for the Performing Arts (DCPA) Off-Center and The Experientialists, hosted the inaugural Denver Immersive Invitational. This 48-hour immersive competition challenged eight of Denver’s most daring creators to conceptualize and perform original short-form works in just two days. The event took place at the historic El Jebel, generously provided by Non Plus Ultra, on November 10th, the final day of Denver Arts Week.
The Denver Immersive Invitational is more than a competition; it’s an incubator for new art and immersive experiences, pushing artists to innovate under intense creative pressure. Teams will receive a modest stipend, creative constraints, and access to a venue space beginning on Friday, November 8th. They will have less than 48 hours to build, rehearse, and perfect an immersive show for an audience of 12.
On Sunday, November 10th, the public is invited to experience the results. Three showcase performances will take place at 12 noon (discounted preview), 4 pm, and 7 pm. Audiences will be immersed in eight thematically linked experiences, created in real-time by some of Denver’s most visionary artists (with a brief intermission). The evening will conclude with an awards ceremony following the 7 pm showcase, where the top teams will be recognized.
This event is an incubator for immersive art in its most experimental form. These teams are working without the luxury of time, perfect conditions, or polish—what they deliver will be raw, unfiltered, and brimming with creative energy. This is your chance to see the ideas and performances that may grow into fully realized productions down the line.
The event takes places at the historic El Jebel Theater in downtown Denver.
Invitational Artists
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Immersive?
Immersive art and entertainment is a catch-all term for performances and exhibitions that put the audience front and center. A good immersive can’t tell it’s story without the audience. That doesn’t mean the audience will have lines or have to participate in any activity. Instead, it means you will live in the same world as the actors and experience their reality by being there!
Do the actors touch you? Will I be put on stage?
No. Actors do not touch audience members expect in cases where there is a clear invitation and you accept. This isn’t a haunted house. No will jump our and surprise you. No one will embarrass you or make you do anything you don’t want to do. The goal is to immerse you in the world, the place and the story. In that sense, there is no stage because you are there, in the middle of the action.
Is this event wheelchair accessible?
The El Jebel is an old building. And there is a wheelchair accessible door in the back. If you need accommodations, please let us know. We will do our best to accommodate you.
What is the theme of the show?
Part of the Immersive Invitational format is the the participating groups don’t get the theme until 24 hours right before the show! In that time, they have to take the theme and their location in the building and craft a narrative, immersive experience. So, we won’t know until right before the show what will happen!
What is an Immersive Invitational?
The Denver Immersive Invitational showcases some of the best immersive creators in the Mile High region. Eight teams have been invited to design and produce a short immersive theater piece in only 48 hours in an exotic location downtown.
The results will stretch the creativity of each team as they vie for honors as the judges pick for best production of the evening. Think of this as the Iron Chef of immersive theater!
The Immersive Invitational format was conceived and executed by Immersive Experience Institute and Afterhours Theater Company in Los Angeles. The invitational format has been in LA for the past five years. Denver is the first time the Invitation has moved outside of Californa. Of course, we are beyond delighted to bring this to Denver and show off Denver talent.
How long is the show?
The show runs for approximately 2 hours. You should expect a far amount of walking, though there will be places to sit and bathrooms available.
I still have questions!
And we have answers. Email us at: hello@immersivedenver.com
