Electric Playhouse is home to cutting-edge, projection-based experiences that blend art, technology and play.
Launched in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and now with a second venue in Las Vegas, Nevada, this innovative venue transforms traditional spaces into dynamic, sensor-driven environments, offering immersive games, dining, and events without the need for headsets or controllers.
Harnessing motion tracking and responsive projection mapping, Electric Playhouse delivers a constantly evolving lineup of experiences for guests of all ages. From interactive group games and art installations to immersive dining adventures, the venue creates a seamless fusion of digital and physical play.
To learn about the company’s mission, its journey so far, and how it plans to continue changing the game, we speak to CEO and co-founder Brandon Garrett.
A canvas of infinite possibilities
An architect by trade, Garrett says he has always been fascinated by how spaces shape human interaction:
“Most spaces are static, designed for a single purpose, and don’t change. We thought, what if a building functioned more like a giant smartphone, an ecosystem of experiences that could transform with the click of a button? We reimagined space as a new media platform where different experiences could be programmed throughout the day.”
In the morning, Electric Playhouse might have motion-activated games for families; by evening, immersive dining experiences; later at night, a music venue or a private event.
“We’ve even hosted weddings. It’s a canvas of infinite possibilities.”
On a mission level, as a father of three, Garrett adds that he feels we all spend too much time glued to screens.
“We wanted to create an experience that blends digital engagement with real-world social connection and movement. Instead of isolating behind a screen, our spaces bring people together, encouraging physical play, collaboration, and shared experiences.
“Whether it’s strangers playing games or individuals finding their own unique experiences, our goal is to make social interaction natural and fun again.”
The Electric Playhouse experience
At the core of the Electric Playhouse experience are its motion-activated spaces.
“It’s like stepping into a giant video game. There are no headsets or controllers needed. You simply walk in, and the environment reacts to your movements. Our gamified walls and floors can support anything from single-player experiences to large groups of 30 or 40 people playing together in shared activities.”
Beyond gaming, Electric Playhouse also brings this interactivity to dining with immersive, story-driven experiences where the tables themselves become part of the experience.
“We aim to avoid passive entertainment. This isn’t a place where you just look around and admire the visuals. Instead, everything is designed to engage you, whether you’re a kid or an adult, inviting you to play, connect, and escape reality for a moment.”
In terms of what sets it apart from other immersive experiences, he adds:
“While many see us as an entertainment venue, we view Electric Playhouse as more of a platform company. The technology that powers our venues extends beyond our physical space—we create pop-up museum exhibits, immersive trade show experiences, and private event activations.
“Our tech can also be applied to restaurants, and we’re especially excited about bringing it into schools to redefine classroom engagement and learning.”
At the core of this platform mentality is an expanding ecosystem.
“In the near future, outside artists, creators, and developers will be able to design their own experiences within our venues. We’ll manage and operate them, allowing us to offer a constantly evolving range of content far beyond what we can create in-house today.”
Scalable technology
The team has built a proprietary system that allows us to use a variety of motion-tracking sensors to perform real-time volumetric tracking of guests within a space.
“While others may rely on off-the-shelf technology with limitations, our approach ensures a seamless, magical experience for all ages—no latency, just real-time, reactive interactions.”
Beyond tracking, the technology is designed for scalability:
“Whether it’s a motion-activated game or an immersive dining experience, our content adapts to different spaces without needing rework. This flexibility allows us to expand beyond our venues, effortlessly bringing our experiences to pop-ups, trade shows, and new footprints.
“Our agile development process means we can create new experiences in as little as a week, giving us the freedom to experiment, take creative risks, and quickly refine or replace content based on guest engagement.”
Immersive dining and more at Electric Playhouse
The technology, however, is just a tool. For Garrett and his team, it’s the storytelling and guest experience that truly matter.
“This is especially evident in our immersive dining experiences. At the end of the day, the most memorable part of any visit is often a person-to-person interaction; we use technology to enhance that, not replace it.
Take our Tea Time in Wonderland experience, for example. Guests step into the world of Alice in Wonderland, with actors in full costume guiding them through the story. As each course arrives, the visuals, food, and interactivity evolve, immersing them deeper into the narrative. By the end, they truly feel like they’ve stepped into Alice’s world.”
Electric Playhouse is always looking for new ways to engage guests beyond technology, including surprises, interactive moments, and physical play.
“We don’t want experiences to be reduced to button-clicking or waving at a screen; there has to be more depth. Seeing Tea Time sell out consistently, especially in Vegas, has inspired us to develop new dinner stories and expand into more large-scale, story-driven, gamified experiences.
“People often lose track of time in our spaces, and by the end, many realise they’ve had a workout without even noticing. We hear guests say, ‘This is better than a gym!’ That’s why we’re leaning more into the health benefits of our experiences: physical activity, social connection, and even menu adjustments toward healthier options.
“It’s all about balance—engaging the body, mind, and imagination.”
Plans to grow
The concept has already grown from its first location in Albuquerque to a second venue at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas. Talking about future expansion plans, Garrett says:
“We’re focusing on expanding our entertainment venues, particularly large spaces 30,000 to 40,000 square feet that can act as catalysts for economic growth in major metro areas. What sets us apart is that, over the past five years, we’ve built a library of experiences, so each Electric Playhouse location could offer entirely different content at the same time.”
For example, if guests visit one location on one side of the city, the experience at the other could be completely different.
“This flexibility allows us to cater to various demographics, whether family-friendly activities for kids during the day or 21+ experiences at night. This adaptability also drives repeat visits, as people can return for new experiences.
“A perfect example: one family came back three times in a day, first for our daytime games, then our immersive dining at night, and later, their college-age son attended a concert. We can offer a diverse range of experiences, and our goal is to become the physical counterpart to the phone in your hand—something that keeps people coming back for more.”
Electric Playhouse and the need for shared experiences
For Garrett, the trend in immersive experiences is primarily driven by people’s need for deeper engagement and shared experiences:
“Over the last decade, our lives have become increasingly passive. We consume media on screens, but we’re just sitting or standing and watching. There’s a growing desire to do something more interactive, to break out of that passive consumption.”
“It’s exciting to see all the new ideas and technologies emerging in the immersive space, but for us, the future isn’t just about bigger or flashier experiences. It’s about personalising the experience for each guest. We want to create a system where something a guest does in a physical space translates into real value in the digital world—bridging these two realms rather than replacing one with the other.
“As a society, we’ve become so dependent on technology, and now we’re seeing the effects such as declining physical activity, less face-to-face interaction, and mental health challenges. Our future vision balances both worlds, where technology enhances real-life engagement instead of pulling us away from it.
“Ultimately, it’s about focusing on the person, what benefits them physically, mentally, and for their entertainment. That’s the roadmap we’re following for the next five years.”
A passionate team
Reflecting on the journey so far, he says:
“The most rewarding part of this journey has been seeing how people engage with our experiences, especially when they come in with preconceived notions about what we offer.
“It’s always fun to watch families walk in expecting the kids to play, only to see the parents, and sometimes even grandparents, getting involved too. You’ve got three generations playing together, and that’s incredibly rewarding.”
“We also encourage our staff to participate in the experiences. When families interact with each other in spaces like our giant virtual light hockey table, it creates such a joyful atmosphere. Seeing those reactions and hearing the laughter feels truly special.”
He also says that some guests come to the Alice in Wonderland Tea Time experience fully dressed up in character. “They’re ready for something different, and seeing them fully embrace the experience is so rewarding.”
Garrett is also quick to credit the Electric Playhouse team:
“From the creative minds developing the experiences to the frontline workers delivering exceptional hospitality, their enthusiasm and technical expertise bring everything to life. It’s exciting to see how our team constantly pushes boundaries with new ideas, and as a leader, seeing that energy and excitement from both our staff and guests is incredibly fulfilling.
“It makes me really excited for the future of what we’re creating.”
What’s next for Electric Playhouse
Looking ahead, he says Electric Playhouse has many new initiatives across different channels.
“On the dining front, we’re continuing to push our story-driven experiences, where we collaborate with fantastic celebrity chefs to create four-to-five-course meals paired with immersive theatrics.
“But beyond that, we aim to redefine what a restaurant experience can be. We want to blend high-tech, real-time, reactive environments with more accessible pricing so that anyone can enjoy these immersive dining experiences. We’re working on launching a new concept in the coming months that will make these experiences more democratic, allowing people to experience them at different price points and have fun without a high entry cost.”
On the motion-activated gaming side, the team is also working to introduce score-tracking and reward systems that encourage healthy behaviours through play. “We want to motivate people to engage in physical activity while offering digital rewards that carry over into a gaming experience. People are drawn to the competitive aspect of it, so we’re excited to see where that takes us.”
From a platform perspective, education is a significant area of focus. “We see an incredible opportunity to redefine how students learn by pulling them out of textbooks and providing virtual field trips.
“Imagine students exploring monuments around the world in a real-time, volumetric environment, immersing themselves in history like never before. We’re also looking at redefining physical education by gamifying it, and the reactions from teachers so far have been overwhelmingly positive.
“We’re addressing social-emotional learning challenges and helping students connect more deeply through play and immersive experiences.
“Lastly, we’re exploring how to expand story-driven, gamified experiences as general attractions throughout the day. We’re considering new partnerships with well-known IPs and brands or possibly creating something unique in-house.
“We’re always experimenting, pushing boundaries, and there’s much more to come.”
Authentic experiences
Ultimately, Garrett says that his mission is to find a way to balance our love for technology with the need for authentic, in-person experiences.
“I grew up in the ’80s, and technology has always been a parallel part of my life. I remember how we used to go outside, play with friends, and then come back inside to play Nintendo. There was always that balance between tech and the real world, and that’s something we want to bring back.
“We aim to keep pushing forward and finding new ways to attract people of all ages, whether you’re eight or eighty, because we want to create fun experiences for everyone.
“It’s all about reconnecting, finding joy in the real world, and doing it together.”
All images credit Electric Playhouse unless otherwise stated
The post Electric Playhouse: where tech, play, and storytelling collide appeared first on Blooloop.