Synopsis
Set in an abandoned gothic cathedral, performers lead the audience from catacombs to moonlit towers to shadowy chapels. High above in the vaults dance ethereal lights and the echoes of reverberant music.
Performers contribute original works of dance, meditation, live music and spoken word each exploring some aspect of trans embodiment and spirituality. Collectively, the performers arrange these sets into a ritual typically marking an astrological event or pagan holiday such as Samhain or solstice.
The work is created entirely in virtual reality from the rehearsals to the event. Performers as well as audience are all present in real-time in the world as motion tracked avatars.
Project Trailer – 3 min 40 sec
The opening scene of the trailer shows performers and audience in the center of the cathedral. SoftlySteph dances while Starheart gives an introduction as she plays live music. Then T Braun reads the beginning of their tarot ritual to an audience in the cathedral’s tower. Additional moments are from other performances from the two main shows in 2025.
Background
The project premiered Raindance Immersive 2025 on the social VR platform VRChat. I lead the creative direction and programming as well as the base technical design for the virtual world environment.
For the first show, in addition to my own spoken word performance, I invited contributions from several VR artists Shadowwulf, Venixia, SoftlySteph, Starheart, LadybugVR, namoron, RingSystem, Casperilion, Lesse, FMShaggi and T Braun. This event marked the solstice (summer in the northern hemisphere) and led the audience through a sequence of seven live sets.
For each show, I add to the environment with new set pieces and lighting, allowing it to grow as a spatial record of our presence. Subsequent events have included a vampire rave, group tarot reading and a special celebration of our ancestors for Samhain.
Documentation
2025, Solstice, Raindance Immersive Jury Selection
Video Excerpt – Poetry and Music Performance “Stretch the Grid” – 14 min
In this excerpt, I appear as a black and white cat girl avatar standing in the air in front of the organ balcony. I am reading and playing live music while guiding the audience into the cathedral.
Full Video Documentation – 2 hours
2025, Samhain
Full Video Documentation – 2 hours