An adaptation of the Dickens classic, performed live in a shared virtual environment. We presented it annually for the Christmas season over five years, and as an official selection in the Raindance Immersive festival in 2025.

“Through technological advances led by Alex Coulombe and visionary direction from David Gochfeld, the team at Agile Lens creates an experience that skillfully breaks the fourth wall and invites audience members to be at the center of a 150 year old story told for a brand new generation.”
— Raindance Immersive 2025 Judges, Best Immersive Theatre Nominee

Actor Ari Tarr narrated the story as Charles Dickens and also played Ebenezer Scrooge, while Debbie Deer played all of the ghosts (Marley, Past, Present and Future). Both actors performed from remote locations, using the performance capture capabilities of the Meta Quest Pro headsets. The audience joined using Quest headsets, and could freely move around the world during the performance. 

The original production in 2021 was a one-man performance adapted and directed for the stage by Robert Barry Fleming, artistic director of Actors Theatre of Louisville. Alongside that production, Agile Lens developed a VR version, for which I helped adapt the script, and served as XR performance consultant during rehearsals. 

From 2022-2025 Agile Lens continued to develop and present the VR production, with me as director. I directed a completely new immersive staging, and oversaw a complete redesign of the sets and sound design. I also introduced the idea to have the lead actor to control two avatars, allowing Ari to perform both Dickens and Scrooge onstage at the same time. 

Official website: https://www.xmascarolvr.com/