Nia T. Hill Launches ODX Studios with Inaugural Immersive Movie Experience Featuring Paramount Pictures /DreamWorks Pictures Dreamgirls, Celebrating its 20th Anniversary
MWN-AI** Summary
Nia T. Hill has officially launched ODX Studios, an innovative entertainment company dedicated to creating immersive movie experiences. The inaugural event will feature the Oscar-winning film "Dreamgirls," celebrating its 20th anniversary, and will take place on April 4–5, 2026, at the Music Hall Center for Performing Arts in Detroit. The event, part of ODX's "ONE DROP EXPERIENCE" (ODX), aims to breathe new life into classic films through a series of live, participatory "Drops" across various cities, including New York, Newark, Atlanta, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami.
Hill envisions ODX as a movement promoting community connection through shared cinematic experiences. The opening event will be enhanced by a performance from Jennifer Holliday, the original Broadway star of "Dreamgirls," whose accolades include a Tony® Award and Grammy® Award. Hill expressed her excitement about bringing Holliday's talent to Detroit, recognizing the enduring legacy of both the film and its Broadway roots.
ODX Studios seeks to cater to a growing demand for live, communal entertainment in an age dominated by streaming and digital media. By partnering with local businesses and talents for each experience, ODX aims not just to entertain but also to contribute positively to local economies and communities. Hill’s successful background in the entertainment industry has shaped ODX's mission, focusing on meaningful community engagement while reviving classic stories.
Hill is joined by Co-founder and Chairman Michael Derek Thomas, who will implement business strategies tailored to enhance ODX’s vision. Together, they are committed to making ODX a leading force in alternative distribution, drawing on cultural storytelling to resonate with audiences and generate lasting impact.
MWN-AI** Analysis
The recent launch of ODX Studios by Nia T. Hill, featuring an immersive experience centered around the 20th anniversary of "Dreamgirls," has significant implications for the market, particularly in the entertainment and experiential sectors. ODX's innovative approach of producing live, community-focused events offers a refreshing contrast to the increasingly virtual and detached nature of film consumption.
Investors should note the rising consumer demand for collective experiences, a trend highlighted in Hill’s vision where "live entertainment shared as a community creates lasting impact." By strategically partnering with studios and local businesses, ODX not only revitalizes classic films but also fosters economic growth in host cities. This community-sourced approach aligns well with current market desires for authenticity and engagement, thereby enhancing ODX's brand resonance.
Furthermore, the involvement of notable talent like Jennifer Holliday elevates the event's profile and underscores ODX's commitment to cultural legacy, allowing for a robust marketing narrative that can drive ticket sales. The planned expansion to major cities such as New York, Atlanta, and Chicago positions ODX strategically within key demographics that value live performance as a unique entertainment format.
Financially, ODX Studios represents a compelling investment opportunity. The potential for high-margin revenues exists not only through ticket sales but also via merchandising, sponsorships, and collaborations with local entities. The integrated community approach ensures broader stakeholder engagement, which is essential for long-term sustainability.
In summary, as ODX Studios capitalizes on the nostalgia and communal spirit surrounding "Dreamgirls," investors would do well to consider the scalability of immersive experiences in a market increasingly leaning towards engagement-driven content. The potential for growth is significant, making ODX a noteworthy player in the evolving entertainment landscape.
**MWN-AI Summary and Analysis is based on asking OpenAI to summarize and analyze this news release.
PR Newswire
Jennifer Holliday, Grammy® and Tony® Award Winning Star of Broadway's Original
Hit Musical Dreamgirls, to Perform
ATLANTA, March 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Nia T. Hill, Founder and CEO of ODX Studios, today announced the entertainment company will launch its inaugural immersive movie experience in Detroit, featuring Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures Oscar®-winning film Dreamgirls.
Partnering with studios, IP holders and brands to breathe new life into classic films, the ONE DROP EXPERIENCE (ODX) creates immersive, limited-run, live movie experiences — called Drops — in select cities across the country.
"Some companies drop sneakers, we drop films," says Hill. "I see ODX as a movement back to real community connection. When people come together for a shared experience, something powerful happens in that unspoken space."
ODX Studios' first Drop is in Detroit April 4–5 at the Music Hall Center for Performing Arts, featuring Paramount Pictures/DreamWorks Pictures Oscar® winning film Dreamgirls. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, Dreamgirls stars Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Danny Glover, Anika Noni Rose, Keith Robinson, Sharon Leal, Hinton Battle and Eddie Murphy. ODX will make Drops in cities including New York and Newark, Detroit, Atlanta, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago and Miami.
Elevating the inaugural event is musical icon Jennifer Holliday — the original Broadway star of Dreamgirls, whose powerhouse performance earned her both a Tony® Award for Best Actress in a Musical and a Grammy® Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.
"Bringing Jennifer Holliday's extraordinary talent to Detroit is an honor for all of us at ODX," says Hill, referencing this year's 20th anniversary of the film and 45th anniversary of the Broadway musical. "It's going to be unforgettable."
Holliday says she's humbled. "It's been 45 years since Dreamgirls debuted on Broadway and to still receive such an outpouring of enthusiasm, and to see its legacy continue, means the world to me."
A multi-hyphenate across entertainment, Hill is a Grammy®-winning songwriter, and a Cannes AmPav Award-winning documentarian, who is also adept at identifying cultural trends before they become mainstream. Early in her career, Hill produced gospel-centered musicals and stage plays, including Tyler Perry's first production, I Know I've Been Changed. That experience affirmed a core belief that continues to shape Hill's work today: live entertainment shared as a community experience creates lasting impact.
Enter ODX. As social media and streaming continue to reshape consumer habits, Hill and the ODX team see a growing demand for live, communal entertainment experiences.
Tony® Award-winning producer, arts advocate, and ODX board member Rob O'Neill says "fusing a beloved nostalgic film with live performance and immersive design creates the kind of boundary-breaking experience today's audiences are hungry for."
Emmy®, Grammy® and nine-time NAACP Image Award-winning actor and director, Blair Underwood, a longtime collaborator of Hill's and ODX board member says, "More than two decades ago, when we proved the viability of a straight to consumer distribution model, we believed in the power of gathering — of sitting shoulder to shoulder and seeing ourselves reflected in story, music, and movement," says Underwood. "This feels like a full-circle moment. It takes that same heartbeat and amplifies it for a new generation at a time when our community is hungry to feel seen, celebrated, and connected. ODX reminds us that shared experiences still matter — maybe now more than ever."
Actor-director Raven Simone, also a board member says, "I commend Nia and her team for crafting an experience that authentically resonates with our community while meaningfully honoring a powerful creative legacy. The vision, care, and intentional execution behind this initiative reflects the standard of excellence we strive to uphold as an organization, making it both a thoughtful achievement and something truly special."
Hill's Co-founder and Chairman of the Board at ODX Studios, Michael Derek Thomas, leads business strategy bringing decades of experience to scaling companies including ODX, which by design, is built to unlock long-tail value from studio film libraries and IPs. "By leveraging the proven appeal of cultural storytelling we're creating something that resonates with audiences, while delivering meaningful upside for rights holders," says Thomas.
ODX is built to spark real economic impact in every city where a Drop comes to life. Each experience is produced in partnership with local businesses—from fabrication and vendors to on?site services—while spotlighting local performers in live shows. ODX also invests back into the community by supporting local nonprofit organizations. "Community engagement isn't just a value-add — it's part of our operating strategy," Thomas explains. "Our audiences and our partners benefit from our local integrations, and this symbiotic connection generates positive social and economic return in each city."
The Director's Extended Edition of "Dreamgirls" is now available from Paramount Home Entertainment to buy or rent on digital.
About ODX Studios
ODX Studios is a U.S.-based entertainment company founded by CEO Nia T. Hill, with Michael Derek Thomas serving as Co-founder and Chairman of the Board. In partnership with studios, rights holders and brands, ODX Studios re-releases classic movies as immersive, limited-run experiential events — called Drops — creating live, participatory movie-going experiences that expand audience engagement beyond traditional exhibition.
About Nia T. Hill
Nia T. Hill is an entrepreneur and entertainment visionary who works across the mediums of film, television, music and theater. Under her production company Strange Fruit Productions, Hill brokered a landmark deal with Viacom, Inc. managing a $240 million programming budget that helped shape a new era of unscripted and faith-forward television series including Family Crews, Vindicated, and Sunday Best. Hill garnered a 250% return on investment in a theatrical distribution partnership with Will Smith and Mark Cuban's company Magnolia Pictures, for the film The Seat Filler, which continues to generate revenue today. An award-winning songwriter and filmmaker, Hill has written the upcoming autobiographical musical I'm Every Woman, about the life of legendary music icon Chaka Khan. It debuts in London in spring 2026.
About Michael Derek Thomas
Michael Derek Thomas is Co-founder and Chairman of the Board of ODX Studios, where he embarks on the next stage of his career journey. At ODX, Thomas leads business strategy bringing years of experience as an enterprise-level leader and strategic advisor working with founders, executive teams, for-profit and nonprofit boards. Thomas is scaling the company into a premier alternative distribution company. Previously, he served as the Chief Strategy Officer for both EPIC Insurance Brokers & Consultants and Galway Holdings over the course of 14 years, where he was instrumental in building, growing, and transforming Galway Holdings into a multi-billion-dollar financial services holding company with a portfolio of successful distribution intermediary companies.
SOURCE ODX Studios
FAQ**
How does ODX Studios plan to leverage the nostalgic value of "Dreamgirls" to attract audiences, and what role will Douglas Emmett Inc. DEI play in supporting this immersive experience through local partnerships?
What metrics will ODX Studios use to measure the economic impact of their immersive events in cities, and how might Douglas Emmett Inc. DEI contribute to maximizing that impact?
Given the emphasis on community engagement, how does ODX Studios envision collaborating with local businesses and Douglas Emmett Inc. DEI to foster a sense of connection during these Drops?
As ODX Studios aims to redefine movie-going experiences, what strategies will they adopt to ensure that partnerships, including those with Douglas Emmett Inc. DEI, enhance the long-term sustainability of this venture?
**MWN-AI FAQ is based on asking OpenAI questions about Douglas Emmett Inc. (NYSE: DEI).
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