Troy Russell
Founder & Artistic Director
Biripi/Kamilaroi
Troy is a composer, musician, film- and theatre-maker who founded XRBT to bring ancient storytelling traditions and cutting-edge immersive technology to live theatre.
eXtended Reality Blak Theatre
Super Ancient. Super Futuristic.
With portable motion capture systems and real-time game engines, we create immersive, interactive live performances of First Peoples' stories and art, experienced across multiple modes – from traditional theatres to remote communities, multi-user virtual worlds to art galleries and more.
Artwork by Elaine Russell
About XRBT
Founded in 2025 by Troy Russell (Biripi/Kamilaroi), eXtended Reality Blak Theatre (XRBT) transforms how live performance is created, shared, and experienced – blending extended reality technology with rich cultural storytelling and art. Using a portable motion capture (mocap) system and real-time game engine environments, we create immersive theatre performances that can be experienced across multiple formats – from traditional theatres to remote communities, virtual worlds to art galleries, and more.
Multiple Layers of Live Performance
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Layer 1
Live In-Theatre Performance
A live show in theatres – large or small – using VR headsets and/or projection mapping and surround sound. Thanks to our portable mocap system, the show can tour and be set up in under an hour.
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Layer 2
Remote community & on-country performance
Performers remain in our Sydney studio, while team members travel to communities with laptops and VR headsets. The show is live, streamed into a virtual space (this is not video streaming, rather live real-time virtual space interaction).
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Layer 3
Online virtual performance
Fully live performances staged within a virtual world, similar to events in Fortnite game worlds – but unlike many of those, our shows are performed live in real time, each time.
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Layer 4
VR gallery installation
A single-person headset experience in a gallery setting. Recorded mocap performances drive an immersive, interactive virtual theatre experience.
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Layer 5
Playable Game
A full game version of the experience, building on the VR installation. It’s downloadable and playable, designed as a standalone interactive world.
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Layer 6
AR/VR future theatre
A vision of future theatre where audiences wear lightweight AR/VR glasses. When that day arrives, we’ll be ready – with lots of high quality First Peoples-led content.
Our People
Adam Nash
Artistic Technical Director
Ally
Adam is an internationally recognised mixed-reality artist, performer and composer who brings 30 years of experience in extended-reality art and performance to XRBT.
Dr. Suzi Hutchings
Consultant, Board Director
Central Arrernte
Suzi is professor Indigenous Research Development at the Moondani Toombadool Centre, Swinburne University. She also works as a consultant senior anthropologist on native title claims across Australia. Her research centres on Indigenous native title; the impacts of criminal justice on Aboriginal youth; contemporary First Nations music.
Victoria Kennedy
Performer, Board Director
Ngiyampaa
Victoria is one of the 3 Traditional custodians of Lake Mungo. She has worked in radio, theatre and TV, acting and writing. She is also an Aboriginal Health Worker at The AMS Redfern and St Vincent’s Hospital. She currently works as Co-Facilitator and Medical Actor at Sydney University to help improve student skills in clinical yarning to build rapport and trust with First Nations patients in the mainstream medical system.
John Blair
Performer, Board Director
Nucoorilma
John Blair, Nucoorilma clan, Gamilaroi nation, was an Aboriginal actor before it was cool. A professional actor since 1987, he’s appeared in features films such as The Crossing, stage productions such as The Visitors and A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream and productions for the STC, Belvoir Street, QTC and Mooghalin Performing Arts. He’s been an acting teacher, writer, voice-over artist and Aboriginal cultural educator.
Joshua Yasserie
Creative Director
Wiradjuri-mine, Bulgundrahmine, Australian South Sea Islander
Josh has dedicated nearly a decade to academic storytelling practices, graduating from AIE, UTS and AFTRS. From there, Josh has continued his passion for representing his story and community by creating, directing, writing and producing a proof of concept mini-series on ABC YouTube called “KingsLand” as a participant in “Fresh Blood” 2023 ABC and Screen Australia incentive for emerging filmmakers. This allowed Josh to be the Director of his own First Nations-owned and operated company, Catching Fire.
Mark 'Munk' Ross
Composer, Consultant
Jardwadjali/Wotjobulak
Known as the grandfather of Indigenous Hip Hop, Munk brings his wealth of experience in music production and digital technology to XRBT.
Tim Leha
Producer, Media Specialist
Kamilaroi/Tongan
An independent producer and indigenous media specialist working in cross-platform media for decades, Tim brings his experience in community organising, curation, events and storytelling to XRBT.
Brent Watkins
Performer
Gunnai Kurni/Noongar/Yamatji
Brent is a dancer (traditional/hip hop), didgeridoo player, visual artist, and educator, known for his contributions to Melbourne's cultural arts scene.
Dylan Singh
Performer
Wiradjuri
A second generation circus performer with a passion for cultural practice, Dylan brings a desire to help audiences learn and celebrate Aboriginal culture, struggles, and triumphs.
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