The Electric Playhouse, an innovative new space bringing together art and community in Albuquerque’s West side, launched its grand opening on Saturday, Feb. 1.
Among the sizable group gathered in front of the doors for the ribbon cutting were representatives from the Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the Hispano Chamber of Commerce, and the ABQ West Chamber of Commerce. Mayor Tim Keller and his family were also in attendance. As the doors were opened, the whole crowd pressed forward to explore the space.
John Feins, the Electric Playhouse marketing director, said that the idea was to bring people together in an era where technology has caused isolation. The main area of the building is organized into stations and little rooms with immersive activities based on projection mapping technology, which allows users to interact with the projected images. In addition, the space has room for a DJ and a small restaurant and bar. In the lobby, there is another eating area, as well as a place for immersive dining experiences.
According to CEO John Mark Collins, an Albuquerque-based entrepreneur with a background in computer engineering and digital art, hosting these dinners was the starting point behind the vision for Electric Playhouse. By bringing together culinary and visual arts with interactive technology, the immersive dinners became a unique social and art experience, much like the Electric Playhouse is designed to be on a larger scale. In addition to being regularly open to the public, Collins intends for the facility to be used as a venue for parties and events.
Currently, the Playhouse is run by a team of about 50 people, according to Feins. He said that he hopes the venture will inspire outside interest and that similar start-ups will appear in other cities under a franchise model.
