If you’re part of the Denver immersive scene then you likely know the two creative forces behind the upcoming Cryptic, one of our most anticipated new works of 2026.
The show is a collaboration between OddKnock Productions (Brendan Duggan, Parker Murphy, and Zach Martens), whose From On High is still talked about by those who had the good fortune of seeing it and Fictive, a creative team led by creative technologist Cody Borst whose portfolio includes high profile work with Meow Wolf, Rabbit Hole Recreation Services, Camp Christmas and more.
In many ways it’s the closest Denver has had yet to an classic “supergroup” of the rock n’ roll variety.
Cryptic takes its inspiration from the world of roadside attractions, but that’s just a launch pad for what comes.
We checked in with Zach Martens of OddKnock and Cody Borst of Fictive about the new experience which opens on March 27th and is currently scheduled to tun through April 26th.
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NO PROSCENIUM: Tell us a little bit about your experience! What’s it about? What makes it immersive?
Zach Martens: Cryptic begins as a mysterious, kitschy roadside attraction – then quickly goes off the rails. Audiences arrive at The Wonderful & Mysterious Cryptic Keep, where a highly charismatic tour guide leads them along a well-worn path they’ve traveled countless times before. But on this particular tour, a discovery is made – one that pits the entire group against the legend that drew them there.
A fusion of live performance and technology, Cryptic unfolds as a deeply embodied experience that extends beyond audience-performer interaction. In an environment alive with technology, the space itself begins to act as another character, responding in real-time and weaving performers and audience together in a truly immersive story.
NP: What was the inspiration for your upcoming experience?
Cody Borst: Have you ever wondered what would happen if a ghost tour actually encountered a real ghost? What if the Jungle Cruise veered off course into an actual, dangerous jungle? That’s the exact premise of our story. We were inspired by kitschy, themed tour attractions, and wanted to add the twist of, 'What if the lore was real?'
Thematically, I love the intersection of family-friendly fun and a darker, thrilling adventure. While Cryptic isn't a 'horror' show or a haunted house, it does have a more serious, high-stakes escalation as the story progresses. On the technical side, a huge inspiration for me was the immersive show Particle Ink. I saw their original run and was absolutely enamored by how seamlessly their visual effects were integrated into the physical space. I really hope some of that same magic shows through in what we’ve built.
NP: What do you think fans of immersive will find most interesting about this latest experience?
CB: I think immersive fans are going to be most interested in how seamlessly interwoven the whole experience feels. We are trying to build an engrossing, multi-layered world where the technical systems and the live performances are deeply dependent on one another. It’s a story of fun and excitement, but underneath that, the tech acts as a true scene partner to our actors. I think audiences will appreciate the craftsmanship of how those two worlds blend together.
NP: Once you started designing and testing what did you discover about this experience that was unexpected?
CB: Honestly, the technology felt like a big gamble at first. I had a clear vision of how these technical systems should work together. The goal was to speed up our programming time so that the tech could act as a true, collaborative partner during the development of the show, rather than a hurdle or an afterthought. We genuinely didn't know if it would work the way we hoped. But when it did, it was very exciting. The system was faster, more reliable, and highly flexible, which enables us to iterate and play in the rehearsal room in real-time. It changes the way we are able to build the show.
NP: What can fans who are coming to this, or thinking about coming to this, do to get into the mood of the experience?
CB: Grab some popcorn and put on Raiders of the Lost Ark, The Mummy, or The Goonies. Then, grab your boots and your safari hat, and get ready to embark on your own adventure!
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