Cultural Compass
ART HEIST EXPERIENCE
Socially Distance Immersive Theater. March 16-April 4, 2021, at the Arsht Center. Groups interview suspects at five walkable locations in Downtown to solve the world’s biggest true-crime art caper
Art Heist Experience is an interactive, socially-distanced theater experience which takes audiences in small groups on a quest in and around the Arsht Center’s Downtown Miami campus to gather clues to solve a real-life art heist.
Based on a true story of the world’s biggest art caper, Art Heist Experience is a true crime-walking show where socially distanced groups of up to 35 people move through five walkable locations to gather clues. The amateur detectives interact with a wild group of wily career criminals, slimy con men, rumpled art-recovery specialists, a possible inside man, a gentle psychopath and the larger-than-life but definitely real self proclaimed Greatest Art Thief of All Time.
The Cast of exclusively South Florida-based actors, through conversations and scenes, will reveal clues to the detective audience that lead them on their way. Sharp sleuths will guess who the liars are and hopefully solve the case. No two performances will ever be the same, as the actors improvise with every interaction. Every good crime story has someone getting framed and Art Heist is no different, as the experience ends with the sleuths having the opportunity to become living art inside a giant picture frame that they can share on social media and by using #artheistexperience.
The Story
Based on the biggest art heist in history, which took place on March 18, 1990, when two thieves disguised as police officers entered Boston’s Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in the middle of the night, telling guards they were investigating a disturbance. Valued at a half a billion dollars, 13 works of art, including paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer and Monet were stolen. The $500 million pieces, as well as the robbers, remain at large today.
What to Expect
Expect intrigue, high stakes and laughs. Set your personal BS detector to its highest setting and help solve this mystery. Art Heist Experience is outdoor, socially distanced group fun that involves walking. Comfortable shoes are encouraged. Masks are required for the duration of the experience.
Art Heist Experience contains some mature themes, making it recommended for ages 13 and up.
Also, expect some noise. The entire play takes place outside and around the Arsht Center, and traffic might be a factor, in particular motorcycles. Since it is interactive, the audience participation is an integral part. The experience can be enhanced if actors would repeat the audience’s questions through their sound systems.
All in all, you can expect a detectivesque and delightful evening.
Master Minds
The masterminds behind bringing back live theater, presenting it outdoors are creator/producer Justin Sudds, and writer/director TJ Dawe and Ming Hudson. Dawe co-created The One Man Star Wars Trilogy, One Woman Sex and the City, and PostSecret: the Show, which have toured internationally. Hudson is a physical theater practitioner, freelance performer, devised theater creator and teacher and instructor at the Canadian College of Performing Arts.
Arsht Center Commitment to Health and Safety
For your safety and peace of mind, we have made a few updates to our procedures. When you return to the Arsht Center, all guests will be required to maintain a safe distance, wear a face covering (over the mouth and nose) and participate in a brief wellness screening.
TICKETS
Tickets for performances at the Arsht Center are $43 (Thursday) and $48 (Friday — Sunday). Tickets are available now and may be purchased online at arshtcenter.org or through the Adrienne Arsht Center Box Office by calling (305) 949–6722.
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