PXR2024
Presenters

Amir (he/him) is an actor, lawyer and unrepentant mixed-reality theatre enthusiast. He has appeared in numerous films and television series, including 19-2, X Men: Dark Phoenix and Random Acts of Violence, and has lent his vocal and motion-capture talents to several video games, including Assassin’s Creed Origins and Valhalla. On stage, he has worked with the Segal Centre, Playwrights’ Workshop Montreal, Black Theatre Workshop, Tableau d’Hôte Theatre, Teesri Dunya Theatre and Infinithéâtre. He was a member of Black Theatre Workshop’s Artist Mentorship Program ensemble and participated in the DémART-MTL program through the Conseil des arts de Montréal, in collaboration with Centaur Theatre, and also participated in the Alliance program at Montréal Arts Interculturels in addition to being a Research-Creation grant recipient at the Canada Council of the Arts. His legal practice is oriented towards representing small and medium-sized arts, media and entertainment organizations. He is currently pursuing a Joint Masters degree program in Game Design, through the support of the Erasmus Mundus Association (https://www.replaymasters.eu/).

Andre, with a PhD in Molecular Biology, develops VR on Resonite as “Zyzyl” and works in cellular metabolism research. With over four years in VR, Andre contributes to VibeZ, a collaborative VR artist group, and has helped win several Metaverse Maker Competition prizes. He also co-developed a multi-cam switcher for VR streaming with Jason Moore and Carlos Austin. Zyzyl was recently named lead developer of MetaMovie’s upcoming live production.

Ashley Naomi Skye (she/her, aka artist name Cloud), is a trans femme theatre artist, actor/performer, and musician/sound designer (bass & keys). Excited by fusing and blurring the lines between emotions, genres, and mediatic forms, Ashley’s creative process uses a colourful, kaleidoscopic approach with dreamy rhythms and groovy arrangements that seek to evoke feelings of synesthesia. Previous projects as performer-creator include Dreams (Toronto Fringe, 2022), Hip Hop 100 (Tarragon Greenhouse, 2024), and C-Angel’s Cosmic Crash! (Buddies Rhubarb Festival, 2024), all of which she also composed and sound designed.
A previous alumni of Single Thread’s IBPOC Fellowship, she is currently writing DIGITRANS // ANALOGIRL, having begun the project as part of Nightwood Theatre’s Creatryx 3.0 writing unit in spring 2024. The piece is a media-blending “digital love story” about two genderqueer internet streamers born from her reflections on navigating real & digital bodies as a trans person who came of age during the era of Web 3.0, and is being first presented as a staged reading with Dead Name Theatre in December 2024.
Acting credits include The 52 for Myseum of Toronto (as Jackie Shane), Gay Mean Girls for KindaTV and TIFF Next Wave, and Lunchmates for ACTRA Diversity’s inaugural “A Different Lens” initiative. Freelance sound design credits include Toronto + Hamilton Fringe’s breakout hit Gringas for First Born Theatre, Isle of Demons for Guild Festival Theatre, Hermaphroditus for Rose Gold/Dead Name Theatre, The Walk Up (assistant) for Soulpepper Theatre, and additional music for Black Theatre Workshop’s Montreal debut of Every Day She Rose.
Ashley is an alumni of Nightwood Innovators, Confluence Concerts’ Side by Side, Toronto Fringe’s TENT, Amy Project’s Trans Gemmes, Paprika Festival’s Sound Design Lab, and Black Theatre Workshop’s Artists Mentorship Program among other programs, has previously facilitated and partaken in discussion panels with b current, Spiderweb Show, and Siminovitch Prize among others, and has received RGTC support from Nightwood Theatre, Buddies in Bad Times, Obsidian Theatre, and Cahoots Theatre. Follow her original music + theatre soundtracks on cloudj.bandcamp.com.

Awstin Davies, pronouns he/him, is a Technical Director and Creative Technologist specializing in blending live performance with experimental technologies. As Co-Investigator and Technical Director for Rella’s Cambrian Dream, Awstin integrates motion capture, lighting, and immersive media into live theatre. He has worked with Alberta Ballet, Canadian Stage Co., and Cast Software on productions such as Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Tartuffe, and The Nutcracker. Additionally, Awstin has developed virtual reality training experiences for Canadian medical and public service sectors, including the Canadian Forces.

Carlos Austin, founder of Carlos Austin Studios, is a pioneering VR filmmaker who merges traditional storytelling with cutting-edge virtual reality technology. His work spans platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook, creating captivating VR experiences. Carlos has collaborated with industry giants like Microsoft, BBC, and LinkedIn on high-profile projects, including The Poly Awards, The Metamovie, and the Venice Biennale. As a VR Event Organizer for Austin Virtual League, he drives engagement in VR experiences and has showcased his expertise at SXSW Gaming Conference.

Cole Paskuski (He/Him) is a virtual reality (VR) developer and entrepreneur from Calgary who is passionate about creating immersive VR experiences that enhance storytelling and theatre. Cole’s passion for storytelling and theatre came from his experience during PXR 2021, where he participated in the XR student link-up. He collaborated with middle school students to create a world and story that utilized 3D space in VR. Cole is thrilled to be a part of PXR 2023 and relive the experience that ignited his passion for theatre and storytelling. Coles’s educational background is in Virtual and Augmented Reality development and Entrepreneurship. He completed his schooling at Lethbridge College in 2022, earning a spot on the President’s List and graduating with Honors. Cole is also the co-founder and manager of Zoltech Studios, an XR company based in Alberta specializing in creating immersive VR games and experiences. Zoltech Studios collaborates with the Canadian Media Fund to bring their ideas to fruition.

Craig Ernest Woodward (pronouns he/him), a seasoned actor with 15 years in theatre, film, TV, and voiceover, returns to the MetaMovie Project in Alien Rescue as Cello. He is excited to explore multiple universes through this cutting-edge VR storytelling experience. Craig is grateful for the support of his wife, son, family, and friends, which fuels his passion for innovative performances. For more on Craig’s work, visit his website: www.craigernestwoodward.com.

Christopher Lane Davis, aka Screaming Color, pronouns he/him, is best known for his VRChat world Gumball Lounge. In 2020 he joined Ferryman Collective as an animator, composer, designer, writer and performer. Among other projects, they worked together to create Gumball Dreams, which won several prestigious awards globally. In January 2023, he moved to Taiwan to convert and direct Gumball Dreams in Mandarin, which premiered in October 2023. His most recent work is the animations and music for Ferryman Collective & Virtual Worlds Company’s newest production, Uncanny Alley.

Brenda Freshman, Phd, is an Organizational Psychologist, Educator and Tree Steward. Dr. Freshman and her team at Orbis Unum, LLC, develop and share transmedia experiences that facilitate inner and outer peace with an intent toward enhancing human awareness on the importance of listening to and caring for the natural world.

drkim works in commercial television as a mastering editor and visual effects artist. Over the years he has worked as a director, mastering editor, VFX artist, and sound designer.
He has been working in virtual reality for 21 years. He also taught a student intern program, which served over 700 students, and is a University lecturer.

Jake is a South Asian-Canadian transfemme who works as a performer, producer, and facilitator. She has performed with companies such as The Stratford Festival, The National Arts Centre, Young People’s Theatre, Clay and Paper Theatre, and Kaeja d’Dance. She trained as an actor at George Brown Theatre School and the Birmingham Conservatory for Classical Theatre, and learned how to produce for theatre through interning with Theatre by the Bay. Jake joined Single Thread as the producer of the PXR Conference for 2021 and 2022, and continues to support the company through development and digital strategy. She is passionate about needing inclusive, ethical and care-centred approaches in working environments.

Jason Moore, pronouns he/him, creator and director of The MetaMovie Presents: Alien Rescue, a pioneering VR experience blending cinema, video games, and live theater, has earned numerous accolades. Premiering at the 2021 Raindance Immersive Festival, it won Best Multiplayer Experience and was a finalist for Most Immersive Game. It also received accolades at the 2020 Venice Biennale and was named Best VR Experience of the Year by XRMust
Magazine in 2021 and at the 6th Annual VR Awards in 2022.

Jedidjah, pronouns she/her, is a narrative experience designer and game director with a background in theatre. In the past, she worked on titles like Alt-Frequencies (lauded audio only game), Mrs. Benz: Voyage of Discovery (VR, Venice 2022) and A Plague Tale: Requiem (‘best narrative’ nominee Game Awards/BAFTA). She also provides narrative design support for theatre makers crossing over into immersive and technology-based productions – a recent case study on this was published by OAMK Journal, Finland. With Hummingbird Interactive she developed live/digital hybrid show Last One Standing (‘most creative game’ nomination Play Hamburg).

Jesse Stong (they/them) is a proud foster parent of twins, a graduate of Playwriting from the National Theatre School of Canada, and received a Master’s in Art Education from Concordia University. Jesse is an award-winning playwright, dramaturge, and educator. Over the years, they have supported over 140 emerging Canadian Storytellers as director of Playwrights Workshop Montreal’s Young Creators Unit, and launched/leads PWM’s New Stories Project for Neurodivergent artists.
With a background in Social Work (BSW, Ryerson University), Jesse has generated and edited content for several NFP organizations including: Children’s Aid Ontario (Out and Proud Program), SKETCH art studio for Street Involved Youth, Toronto Association for Community Living, McGill University, and It Gets Better Canada.
Jesse is an occasional content creator/editor for Moment Factory, and was recently Manager of Children’s Programming for media-giant Watchmojo.com, Associate Curator for the National Arts Centre Disability Summit, and Host of the Montreal English Theatre Awards. Jesse
continues to be Festival Director of Centaur Theatre’s Queer Reading Series.

John Mutter is an interactive media artist, photographer, director, producer, and composer. He has directed music videos for Sub Pop Records, been a finalist in the Canadian Songwriting Competition, been nominated for multiple Leo Awards, worked as a senior visual effects compositor for Disney, Marvel, and Netflix, and exhibited photo and video works internationally in critically acclaimed solo and group shows.
He is also an active performer of both improvised and composed music. He studied composition with Giorgio Magnanensi and Jon Siddall in Vancouver and with Benoit
Delbecq in Paris after receiving a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts. He also studied visual art at the University of British Columbia and The School of Visual Arts in New York City.

Kenneth Rougeau, pronouns he/him, is an award-winning actor known for his role as Baxter in Alien Rescue. He has performed in hundreds of live VR shows and contributes actively to the industry through workshops, panels, podcasts, and interviews on live VR acting. Besides acting, Kenneth is a versatile artist and VR game developer, currently based in Kansas. His eclectic interests include playing music (guitar and ukulele), singing, writing poetry, and engaging in physics-based activities like juggling, billiards, and pinball.

Laura Philipps, pronouns she/her, is a Toronto-based arts professional working across theatre, dance, opera and multimedia performance. Her practice focuses primarily on new work development as a Producer/Production Manager/Stage Manager. Laura produced “Henry G20” AR app for Luminato Festival/The Bentway Conservancy 2021, “Rella’s Cambrian Dream Prototype” for Harbourfront’s JUNIOR Festival 2022, and is currently Producer of Leslie Tings “What Brings You In” hybrid in-person/interactive online confessional concert. Laura studied at University of Toronto and has completed industry training through Seneca College, Crow’s Theatre, and Generator Performance. www.lauraphilipps.com

Lloyd Summers, pronouns he/him, the Resident Geek & Technical Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer at Red Iron Labs, is dedicated to harnessing virtual reality for teaching, gaming, and fostering empathy. In his earlier career, he delved into mobile app and game development, project management, IoT, and technical analysis across technology, health, and energy sectors. Lloyd has contributed to numerous immersive projects, aiding in patient treatments, rehabilitation, industrial and safety training, empathy training, and beyond. Over the past 15 years, he has made significant contributions to creative software, shaping the landscape of numerous games and applications.

Maki Maki’s VRChat Worlds: https://vrchat.com/home/user/usr_3a891b48-1112-4618-8a53-b6a22bcb9661

Marinda Botha, pronouns she/her, is a seasoned South African actor, voice-over artist, and puppeteer with two decades of experience. After studying classical acting, she spent eight years in London working for notable brands like BBC and Virgin Media and touring with “The Sooty Show.” She crafts wooden marionettes and writes poetry. Now based back in South Africa, Marinda records voice-overs internationally from her home studio and plays Ursula and C.L.A.R.C. in Alien Rescue.

Max is a coder and VR developer from Germany. For Mary Shelley Lives Here, he redeveloped his original VRChat island. https://linktr.ee/nova_max

Myles Steel (He/They) is a VR Developer with a passion for spatial technology. They are currently based in Alberta where they earned their Diploma in Virtual and Augmented Reality Development. Since graduating Myles has been Developing the Aftermath Islands Metaverse and has founded Zoltech Studios to bring more spatialized Industry to Alberta. Myles was also a participant in the PXR 2021 XRtist link up program where they experienced VR Theatre for the first time, and through those actors they saw the joy and experiences that can be created in virtual reality.

Nansy Khanano, pronouns she/her, is a 3D environment artist, educator, and researcher based in Toronto. With a background in Art History and traditional painting, she creates immersive digital worlds, often reflecting historical and cultural influences. Nansy has taught at Toronto Metropolitan University and worked on notable projects like Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Apex Legends. Her research focuses on the integration of scent in virtual environments, enhancing education through multisensory experiences. Nansy is also pursuing a PhD in Media and Design Innovation, where she explores the future of immersive learning technologies.

Nicole Rigo, a Yale University Music graduate, has been part of The Metamovie Project since 2017, featuring in VR projects like Alien Rescue, A Very Old Mystery in New New York and The Heist. Beyond VR, she’s active in interactive shows at Mystic Seaport Museum and children’s theater. Her recent roles include Alive: Streaming and Homicide for the Holidays.
Also a classical singer, Nicole performed in Florencia en el Amazonas with Yale Opera. She enjoys horror movies, axe throwing, piano, and hiking with her dog, Morty.

NProwler began learning Unity and creating worlds in VRChat in 2019, releasing his first public world in 2020. NProwler has mastered the art of crafting digital landscapes that blur the lines between fantasy and reality. NProwler’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of VR has garnered widespread acclaim within the VRChat community.
Nominations and Awards:
2021: Best Immersive Experience by Raindance for Rocky Mountain Park
2022: Best Immersive Experience by Raindance for Lost Valley Lake Retreat
2023: Best Immersive Experience by Raindance for Horse Canyon
Won the Spirit of Raindance award
Premiered at Venice Immersive in Italy
2024: Nominated for Best Dance Experience Shadow Canyon
A collaboration with DustBunny and the VR Dance Academy.
Won the Spirit of Raindance award

With a growing legion of followers eagerly awaiting each new creation, NProwler continues to redefine the possibilities of immersive storytelling in the digital age. In the boundless realm of VR, NProwler remains a guiding light, leading adventurers on journeys beyond imagination.
Discord: NProwler

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/NProwlerVR

Web: https://nprowlerxr.com/

VRChat Worlds: https://vrchat.com/home/user/usr_caefcb87-6855-4727-92d3-5fe14d22cae1

Rodney Ramsey has appeared on Kevin Hart’s LOL channel and BBC’s Summer Comedy event. Rodney has also starred in the movie Race, appeared in the Mile Enders, and “Absofreakinglutley” on CBC. Rodney Ramsey is CEO of Unknown Productions and creator of The Unknown Comedy Club Canada’s first virtual comedy club, and Unknown Theater which produces the most popular community events in Horizon Worlds.

(Bio coming soon!)

schnüdlbug successfully dials into a pirate radio broadcast from the bad part of Lavender Town – chopped-and-screwed chiptunes, drum machine diversions + hexd house jams – but not without a little static…

(pronouns she/her) I’m a professional Game Master, running Tabletop RPGs for the last decade and VR LARPS for the previous two years. I worked on the Aexia project as Co-Founder, Community Manager, and in-house Game Master. I also founded the Transvoice online community, where users help each other in their vocal transition journey, on Reddit and Discord.