Brenda Bakker Harger is a theater director (MFA Carnegie Mellon University), improviser, and professor of Entertainment technology at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center where she teaches improvisational acting and leads diverse interdisciplinary projects. As an improviser, Brenda has performed with Pittsburgh Theatre sports and SAK Theatre, and has led improv workshops nationally and internationally from theatre improvisers to executive leadership training (Carnegie Bosch Institute) to video game companies. Bakker Harger is also director of a unique award winning theatre company at Carnegie Mellon, which uses live interactive theatre to address controversial issues in the workplace and classroom. She has produced an exploratory DVD-ROM for interactive theatre, and is currently pursuing her interest in further exploring her theory and skills in directing and improvisation with technology, both in gaming and theatre. Recent projects include: making a demo/prototype of a game based on the film Night of the Living Dead (with George Romero); creating a toy/exhibit featuring virtual representations of The Pittsburgh Children’s Museum’s Puppet collection; and Interactive robots – creating a robot which had distinct character and was able to convey emotion and intention. In theatre, Harger has directed and developed plays as technologically based Interactive experiences, one which premiered at the Humana New play Festival at the Actor’s Theatre in Louisville, Virtual Meditation #1, and another, Full Spectrum, which premiered at the Ensemble Studio Theatre in New York City. In addition, Harger engages in ongoing research on using improvisational methods to create more believable virtual characters.

Joshua Jeffery serves as a producer for Experience Centers at Google, where he helps realize themed interactive installations for the brand around the world. Previous to this, Josh served as the Director of Digital Engagement at The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, overseeing strategy, design, and implementation of the museum’s presences on the web, mobile, social media, and through in-gallery installations. As part of the four Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, he has also served various roles across the institute’s 3 other museums. Josh has presented at numerous industry conferences on interactive technology and design in the museum space and his work at The Warhol resulted in numerous accolades for the museum, including the 2014 Pennsylvania Governor’s Award for Innovation.Prior to The Warhol, Josh founded a technology startup in Pittsburgh with colleagues from Carnegie Mellon University, where he completed a masters degree in Entertainment Technology in 2009. Josh holds a B.F.A. in theatrical design, and has had numerous design internships including The Walt Disney Company and Thinkwell Group. Josh’s passions lie in creating compelling, meaningful guest experiences in the real world.