Averno: How a TikTok Became a Transmedia Universe

Mar 16, 2021

10:15am – 11:10am CT

In the fall of 2019, theatre artist and writer Morgan Smith created Averno - an immersive, interactive universe of interlocking musicals, comics, novels, and virtual reality centered around a single town. When COVID-19 hit, the team expanded to include 60 other artists from 14 countries. They shared one goal: create a form of theatre-oriented media that is not only producible in the COVID era, but that thrives in it. Averno has exploded into an online phenomenon: over 200k followers, tens of thousands of participants in online events, millions of streams, and a thriving virtual community committed to reckless creation. In this presentation, meet the creators and hear how the changing entertainment landscape begs, more than ever, for transmedia design: art that is all about connectivity.

Programming descriptions are generated by participants and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of SXSW.

photo of Morgan Smith
Primary Access
Music Badge
Platinum Badge
Film Badge
Interactive Badge