The Ochre House Theater

I love this theater. I never know what I’m going to see. I don’t even read about the plays anymore, I just show up. The theater is intimate. The music is performed live and all the songs are quirky, fun and original. I’ve been moved to everything from anger to fear, happiness and sadness in this theater. This little spot means a lot to me. I love the regular and versatile actors. I love Matthew Posey. This place has my heart.

I love the Ochre House Theatre. It has quickly become one of my favorites. Director/​Writer/​Actor Matthew Posey has been producing hit after hit, and I cannot get enough of it! The writing is so quirky and surprising. The music is fantastical. The acting is raw and wonderful. This is a group that is totally committed to their craft, and their passion is contagious.
Bonus: Enjoy two free drinks while you’re there!
Tips: Don’t be late. Get there early — not a lot of seating. You can use your credit card to pay for parking in the lot nearby.

I came here to see Blink with some friends as a last minute thing, and I was completely surprised by it. It’s just a small little theater company, and if you aren’t paying attention, you’ll pass it… like we did many times. When we finally found the place, we discovered how intimate the theater was, and although it was small, it made our experience that more interesting. I enjoyed Blink a lot, as did my friends, it was comedic and insightful all in one. The cast was awesome, and I truly enjoyed how close the audience was to the stage because you could really get a good view of the stage, the props, and the actors. I will definitely have to come back soon to check out more productions here, because I really loved the show. The only «complaint» I would have is that because the theater is so small, they had us wait in line for tickets and to show our online tickets outside of the theater, and it was cold and really rainy that night.

This is what theater is supposed to be: creative, intimate, friendly. Consistently ranked as one of the best theaters in dallas. Lots of budding and accomplished talent here.

This place is effing amazing! As an artist, I have an appreciation for many art forms and styles, but I truly love pieces that make me think outside the box. I suppose one could describe actor & director Matthew Posey’s work as avant garde or possiby experimental, but I tend to think of it simply as truly independent theatrical art. I also find it simply fabulous!
Posey writes most of the productions himself, but they also showcase the work of other local writers from time to time. The characters in these productions are sometimes rough around the edges or difficult to like, while simultaneously relatable and endearing. Most of the Ochre House productions hold a certain amount of dark comedy and include singing, whether dramatic, comedic, or in a classic show tunes style. My first show here was Ex Voto: The Immaculate Conceptions of Frida Kahlo, back in 2011, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
The theater itself is simple and unassuming. You’d probably walk right by if you weren’t specifically looking for it (I did several times, the first time I went and was trying to find it!). It’s between Confetti Eddie’s dinosaur and The Amsterdam bar, and they usually put a sidewalk sign on show nights. Inside, you’ll find the front desk where you check in (and pay, if needed). Seating is made up of old office reception type chairs, lined up on risers. Occasionally they reconfigure the seating depending on the stage design of the performance. Stage is small and you’d better use the restrooms before the show or during intermission if you need to, because the doors are essentially on the stage. Sound booth is behind the seating area. Murals grace the walls; some have been there for a long time, while others change with the show.
Two beverages (wine, beer and soft drinks) are included with the price of your ticket to the show. Pizza Lounge is a good pre-​show dinner stop, and the Fair Park DART stop is just half a block away. Street parking is free if you can find a spot and there is a well-​lit paid parking lot behind the building. Follow them via their website and social media, and keep your eyes posted in the local indie entertainment magazines to find out what shows might be coming up.

I hope no one gets mad at me for sharing Dallas theater’s best-​kept secret, but since the creative director was just featured in the Dallas Observer, I’m assuming he wouldn’t mind. I’ve seen two shows here, and both blew me away. The work they do is innovative and enlightening, and I don’t know how they manage to crank out so many awesome original plays each year. I recommend buying your tickets in advance or arriving very early; it’s a tiny space that fills up much too quickly.