Deirdre V. Lyons is an XR (Extended Reality) trailblazer taking Los Angeles’ acting and performing arts sector into the Metaverse – and beyond. She’s co-founder of the Ferryman Collective and an inspiring figure in Virtual Reality theatre production. Her innovation and vision have been acknowledged with a place among the Top 100 Original Voices in XR and the prestigious 2023 XR Women Innovation Award. A member of the Producers Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA, and Equity, she is a sought-after speaker, SXSW mentor, and educator. She proudly supports and participates in XR Women, XR Guild, XR Live, and the Unity for Humanity community.
The Transformation of Theatre
Ferryman Collective is pushing the limits of theatre by making the audience an integral part of the show. “Most of our work is immersive and incorporates audiences into the show as participants rather than passive observers,” Deirdre explains. From ideation to globally-exhibited, award-winning productions, their theatre pieces are a sensory spectacle, leveraging awe-inspiring visuals, emotional depth, and live actors who react in real-time to their audiences. The essence of this ground-breaking approach is a profound, personal connection. “There’s a sense of anonymity and an experience that it is simply souls talking and sharing,” says Deirdre. It’s a revolutionary way of exploring the human experience, demonstrating how emerging technology changes and enriches the world.
Connecting the World Through Tech
Deirdre contributes to a future where geographical boundaries are made irrelevant by integrating theatre and technology. “Broadway is now global; audiences are no longer limited to geographical or physical locations for viewing a live theatrical show,” she shares. The result is a broader reach for theatre and a more inclusive, global community of theatre lovers. Her productions have inspired diverse audiences: “Our goal is to touch people’s hearts, to make them feel something beyond their daily routine. To give them a chance to be seen, heard, and valued. That is what we strive for.”
Technology: The Disrupter and Enabler
Deirdre emphasizes the disruptive power of technology, observing that it’s up to us to use it wisely. “Technology will always be a disrupter, changing how we live and interact with the world,” she asserts. “It is a tool, and it is up to us to use it wisely and responsibly.” Even in the face of drastic technological evolution, Deirdre has shown how we can use these advances to serve our collective human experience. As she sees it, technology doesn’t just enable change — it embodies our potential to shape the future. Her work showcases how innovation and emerging technology intersect in exciting and impactful ways. In Deirdre’s words: “VR theatre celebrates the live event, embraces the moment, the mistake, the messiness of life. It relies on the interplay of energies between the performer and the audience, a presence and connection that cannot be experienced in pre-recorded media.” She has shown that VR theatre can foster international collaborations and adaptations, as exemplified by their award-winning shows ‘Gumball Dreams’ and ‘The Severance Theory: Welcome to Respite.’ She notes: “We are very proud of these international collaborations and excited about the possibilities in the future to follow an established method of theatre licensing, except now the possibilities extend into VR.” What truly inspires Deirdre about the future is the potential for technology to create a more united, understanding world. “The world is a special and wondrous place to be cared for and nurtured,” she shares. “It is our responsibility to shepherd this new technology into the world in a way that helps us grow as humans.”
From the Stage to the Virtual World
Deirdre’s path to immersive technology began with a childhood love for drama and the sparkle of life. “My husband and creative partner, Stephen Butchko, calls me a magpie,” she recounts, “Maybe that’s why I became a performer at a young age and pursued entertainment as my career.” Deirdre’s pivot to VR was both unexpected and serendipitous. “It was a natural transition when I was cast in a virtual reality game called ‘The Under Presents’ at the end of 2019,” she said. Her exploration into the VR space came just in time for the world to pivot towards virtual mediums due to the pandemic, emphasizing her forward-thinking approach to her craft. The immersive VR theatre company she co-founded, the Ferryman Collective, was not just a place for artistic expression but also a haven for people seeking connection in an isolating time. When asked about her most rewarding work, she cited the profoundly touching, multi-award-winning show, ‘Gumball Dreams.’ “I co-created this show with Christopher Lane Davis, the world builder, I had the original concept and was able to take the reins as the director of the piece, it took us around the world, and garnered multiple awards,” she reflects. “It worked beyond our wildest imagination, touching hearts and showing at the most prestigious festivals worldwide.”
Striving for Gender Equality
As a woman in a tech-dominated industry, she is acutely aware of women’s barriers. Deirdre acknowledges the stark reality: “Women are woefully underfunded in the male-soaked Venture Capital system, and women are generally less than half of our government representatives.” Her solution? Encouragement, mentorship, and female representation. It is up to each of us to fight the backlash, she insists, “and insist on having a voice in traditionally male-dominated spaces until we have changed that.” Her advice to women forging their paths is as pragmatic as it is inspiring. She draws attention to a 2018 study that emphasizes the role of luck in success, advising others not to blame themselves or their companies if things aren’t going well. Instead, Deirdre recommends increasing visibility: “Let people know who you are and what you do. Go to events, meetings, book signings, or anything that can help you network with new people.”
Harnessing Identity
Aware of her identity as a cisgender white female in the US, Deirdre acknowledges her privilege while recognizing the influence of gender socialization. Her strategy is a conscious effort not to pass on these biases to the younger generations. She continues to navigate her career with a thoughtful approach to her identity and the privileges it affords. In an era where the impact of technology on our world is increasingly profound, Deirdre stands as an inspiring figure leading the way. By persistently carving her path, she embodies the exciting potential for women’s futures in technology and beyond. Her story reminds us that
