At UBC Theatre and Film, you’ll find a vibrant mix of scholars, artists, educators, and innovators reimagining how we tell stories, analyze culture, and connect with audiences. Whether they’re directing research projects, designing soundscapes, mentoring students, or diving deep into dramatic theory, our faculty, staff, and graduate students are always up to something interesting.
This series pulls back the curtain to share the work, ideas, and everyday moments that shape our community—one human at a time! Next up is Dr. Patrick Parra Pennefather, Associate Professor, Design and Production. Patrick discusses what he’s working on for SIGGRAPH 2025, how his storytelling work is evolving, and what he’s teaching for the upcoming 2025W session.
What’s something exciting you’re working on right now?
SIGGRAPH 2025 (Special Interest Group on GRAPHics and Interactive Techniques) is in Vancouver this month, and I’m involved in three events! The SIGGRAPH conference is the world’s leading annual gathering focused on computer graphics and interactive techniques.
I’m co-chairing Spatial Storytelling, a curated event featuring 20 immersive XR artists and researchers from around the world. I’m also designing sound for “Hydrosymposium”, a permanent installation running throughout the conference. It’s an immersive experience on the theme of water and will feature work by UBC alumni Jimmz Zhang and Jason Kitikul.
Finally, I’m facilitating a three-hour workshop designed to support individuals and creative teams in the digital media industry who are trying to integrate generative AI into their workflows.
You’ve always been interested in interactive storytelling—how has that evolved in your work over the years, especially with advances in immersive technology and AI?
Photo by Andreas Psaltis
My research has been shifting toward transmedia storytelling—a method of unifying a story across multiple media platforms where each experience offers a unique layer to the overall story. For example, chapters of my next “book,” which explores algorithms, will be released gradually and take the form of songs, videos, alternative literary styles, and XR experiences, including a cooking show on the Apple Vision Pro. This research is highly collaborative and explores how different media forms create new meanings and how audiences interpret them.
Machine learning models have introduced a new level of complexity to my creative process. Generative AI systems have inspired me to continue experimenting with open-source and ethically trained models to generate unexpected results. These generative processes often lead to new expressions and ideas that shape my work. My research is also concerned with the role that MLMs play in decentralizing the traditional idea of a single author.
Tell us about the courses you are teaching in 2025W!
- THFL 100: The Art of Storytelling for Stage and Screen introduces students to storytelling across our department’s various disciplines
- THTR 308: Sound Design will feature collaborative projects, including students being assigned to the department’s annual Commedia dell’arte production
- MDIA 100, newly titled AI and Media Creation, is a required course for the BMS program. Students will explore media objects shaped, curated, and created by algorithms and produce their own media co-creations, both embracing and challenging generative AI systems
What do you hope students take away from your classes?
I hope students come away with hands-on experience in co-creating media, while also developing their own critical voices. Along the way, they’ll gain foundational tools to manage their creativity and self-regulate, as well as skills aligned with 21st-century competencies like problem-solving, critical thinking, and collaboration.
What advice do you have for students interested in a career in theatre?
A career in theatre involves embracing both the risks and rewards of joining a creative community of practice. It requires relentless hard work, persistence, and a deep sense of purpose, often without immediate reward. To succeed, you need passion and an open mind about what theatre is and can become. Given the competition from other entertainment industries, it’s essential to build a broad skillset and remain open to applying those skills in other areas, especially considering the volatility of the live production job market.
Share your morning routine
I start my day with yoga, meditation, and a daily singing practice to focus my mind and voice.
What is your favourite place on campus?
The Greenheart TreeWalk at the UBC Botanical Garden. The garden itself is worth visiting year-round, but I especially recommend walking among the trees when it’s gently raining (which, let’s face it, is often in Vancouver!).
The Greenheart TreeWalk at UBC Botanical Garden
Is there a favourite movie/tv show/book you’ve enjoyed lately?
I’m currently reading two books side-by-side to merge worlds: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley and Brave New World by Aldous Huxley.
