Education is an important pillar and focus at Orion Digital Inc. We have been leading several educational initiatives in extended reality development. Our partners and collaborators include Toronto District School Board, York University and Performance and XR Conference. The aim of our organization is to provide relevant and innovative learning tools and opportunities for emerging and underserved populations in Canada.

Our initiatives involve:

  • Hybrid Theatre Production for Live Performance at York University (A Beta Test in XR Accreditation): 2023

  • The Performance and XR and Debbie Deer Productions IBPOC (Indigenous, Black and People of Colour Fellowship): 2022 - 2024

  • The Virtual Reality Production Workshop for secondary schools at The Toronto District School Board: 2023

Hybrid Theatre Production for Live Performance at York University (A Beta Test in XR Accreditation): 2023

The world of theatre has transformed significantly since the global pandemic. The need to create hybrid theatre models that support digital and in person productions have increased and we see the opportunity to put the Canadian theatrical and technological sectors on the map with our learning programs.

In April 2023, Associate Professor at York University Ian Garrett (Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies) hired Orion Digital’s CEO Debbie Deer to co-create and facilitate an Extended Reality Intensive teaching students the narrative and mechanical tools of XR production with her co-facilitator Ari Tarr.

The purpose of the course was to beta test an accreditation program for XR production with York University via research for the Meta-Show: A Comparative Analysis of Audience Experience in Synchronous VR, Screen, and In-Person Performance.

Course content ranging from narrative to mechanical constructs of hybrid theatre production.

Creator: Debbie Deer

For PDF’s of the course content please contact us

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2023 (The Culmination of the York University XR Intensive)

We are excited to be a part of the York University Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies Program’s production of ‘Aionos’ at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in August 2023! As the programs dramaturg, facilitator, performer and co-writer, Debbie Deer is thrilled to be presenting this unique work on the largest world stage for theatre in Glascow Scotland.