Control Group Productions

Great, intimate venue to perform, and to view provocative & talented performing arts!

A small and very intimate venue, one that specializes in interesting and great little dance shows. I am acquainted with them from a Butoh show, a really great creation they hosted created by Sharoni. Not a large venue at all, the close intimacy helps you to enjoy the performances.

In Denver’s recent frenzy of new large art institutions, it is helpful to remember that there has been a corresponding increase in the underground, and small-​venue art scenes. The Packing House is one of these, bringing an eclectic and much-​needed experimental approach to dance and movement theater.
Although the space is rented out for private rehearsals and yoga programs and such, perhaps the best contribution of the PHCA is its innovative and provocative performances such as the «Dance Night for Beginners» (a humorous look at dance not by beginner dancers, but for beginner spectators), and the recent Halloween production of «Tomb/​Abattoir», a shadowy piece of evocative power, blurring the lines between performer and spectator in an environment of piled leaves gauzy chambers, and suspended masked performers. Far more interesting than your standard jump-​out-​from-​behind-​something scary gore show.
Who is the Packing House not good for? Somebody who is interested in «pretty» dance, like the ballet or your garden-​variety modern dance scene. The PHCA and its residential performance «Control Group» are intested in pushing boundaries and exploring the edges of human movement. Such experiments are not always easy to watch, but always leave me feeling as if I were part of something that is trying to address the present moment, instead of endlessly repeating the past. Thhe reward for taking such risks are glimpses of true beauty.
Located in the warehouse district north of I-​70, a visit to the Packing House makes you feel like you were leaving Manhattan to see a progressive new space in Brooklyn, before Brooklyn got big and pricy too. So don’t wait until the greasy diner on the corner is converted into a Starbucks and the nearby warehouses have been filled with new lofts. Get out the Packing House to see a group of artists committed to bending the rules and drawing you into a space of wonder and creative response to the world.

Congrats to Patrick for opening up a venue for experimental arts! Best wishes to you!

I went to the «Tomb/​Abattoir: white on white translucent black» haunted house type experience at the Packing House Center for the Arts.
Let me preface this review by saying that I do not like haunted houses. I don’t like creepy people jumping out at me and invading my personal space. I was convinced to go to this event by the fact that the website says that this is a «family friendly» experience. If the 8-​year old that was there wasn’t crying, I shouldn’t be, right? So I put on my big-​girl pants and went.
We arrived in plenty of time for the first performance. The people working this event were great. They were very outgoing and friendly. There was a fire pit to keep you warm while you waited to go in to the show.
Once we paid the $ 12 admission fee, we were given a half-​face mask to wear for the event. We crunched through the leaves that were spread throughout the space and I promptly stationed myself against a back wall (just in case someone tried to pull something tricky).
The performance was great. It was spooky and creepy, but without being bloody, violent or overdone. It was minimalist. Just performers acting possessed in a room full of leaves with fantastic sound effects. The performers interacted with the audience, but they weren’t trying to make you pee your pants. There were «safety zones» set up within the space that you could move into if you were too scared of the performers. We moved around throughout the course of the 45-​minute performance, and I think I even got off the wall for a minute or two.
When the performance ended, I left with the rush of adrenaline that comes from being scared, but without my heart beating to the point of jumping out of my chest.

A haunted house like no other in Denver. This was a performance experience rather than a typical warehouse maze full of actors. The Packing House actors ARE actually actors. They put on a wonderful show while still giving us chills.
I went with a coworker who received a listing of October events from the CU College of Architecture. We both found the Packing House «Tomb/​Abattoir white on white translucent black» performance very intriguing.
If you are looking for a different Halloween experience this year, I highly recommend this. $ 12 adults, cash only. You will not stand in a long line with middle schoolers and I’d recommend bringing some hot toddies around the fire pit, we did ;)

Check it out if you’re looking for something new and different and unique. I went with a friend to «Dance Night For Beginners» and didn’t know what to expect. I left inspired and delighted. The outside makes you think you are not supposed to be there and you need to give a password to come in. (I’m pretty sure it’s open by appointment when there is not a scheduled event). Once we got in through the charming garage door we were greeted by a happy person who led us to the performance space. I’m going to leave the rest for you to experience.
The Control Group Productions website shows modern dance performances, art shows, very reasonable rehearsal space rentals, workshops, classes…
To quote their website, this is a space to «explore specific topics in greater depth, to work with visiting artists, and to create deeper connections in the local arts community.»
Bring cash. No Credit Cards.