Community Highlights: Meet Whitton Frank of Ferryman Collective

Today we’d like to introduce you to Whitton Frank

Hi Whitton, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My journey as an actor began with a deep passion for storytelling and a desire to connect with others through performance. I believe I always knew I wanted to be an actor. My mother told me that as soon as I could read, I started memorizing books like Goodnight Moon and performing them for my family and their friends. I started my professional career in traditional theatre, attending Carnegie Mellon University, along with a semester at the Moscow Art Theater, and then later the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. I settled in Los Angeles and have been privileged to work on many incredible productions in my time here, in theatre, film and tv.

In 2019 I was cast in something new, a VR game that needed live performers. I had no experience doing something like this, but I was curious and and it opened up an entirely new world for me. My work in immersive VR experiences began with projects like The Under Presents and The Tempest, which were groundbreaking both artistically and technologically. Thus I was introduced to the transformative possibilities of VR performance, and I was hooked.

Then in 2020, I joined Ferryman Collective, a company dedicated to creating live immersive VR theatre. This has been one of the most exciting chapters of my career. As both a performer and a director, I’ve had the chance to bring audiences into interactive virtual worlds that blend live performance with VR technology. My directorial debut with the company, Find WiiLii, premiered at SXSW in 2023, and went on to to showcase at various festivals around the world. This company continues to produce our unique kind of theater and we just premiered our most recent show Uncanny Alley at the Venice Film Festival last year.

As is common in Los Angeles, people never focus on just one aspect of the industry, so beyond acting and producing, I have also been working in voice over. I’ve had the opportunity to lend my voice to podcasts, video games, and narration. Recent work includes, the Stranger Things VR game, Virtual Virtual Reality and Kate in RomCom Pod. I have also joined the production team of Riot of the Tipsy Bacchanals, a popular barroom Shakespeare performance troupe.

Being a performer has always been to focus of my life, whether on stage, in VR, behind the mic, even in my directing and producing work, I’ve dedicated myself to creating experiences that connect with people in meaningful ways.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I don’t think any artist could honestly say their journey, whether successful or not was smooth. Like any creative journey, there have been plenty of challenges along the way. Early in my career, I faced the typical hurdles of trying to break into the acting world: competition, uncertainty, and the constant balancing act between finding work and simply surviving in Los Angeles. There were definitely times when it felt like progress was slow, and I questioned whether I was on the right path. Choosing to be an actor in Los Angeles is not for the faint of heart, every day you will encounter things that make want to turn and run, but being able to face the disappointment and keep going is a necessary skill here. I have dealt with horrible bosses, harassment, unreliable partners and much more, but the longer I held on, the better I was able to navigate these issues and more.

When I made the transition into immersive VR theatre, there were even more obstacles. VR is still a relatively new medium, and the idea of merging live theatre with technology felt like uncharted territory. There are moments when it feels like the world isn’t quite ready for the work I am doing. The technology itself is evolving rapidly, and our company has to constantly adapt, learn, and problem-solve in real-time. We are beholden to the headsets and the platforms we use for our work and when they glitch or breakdown we have to improvise in the moment.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Ferryman Collective?
Ferryman Collective is a pioneering creative studio that specializes in creating live immersive theatre experiences in Virtual Reality (VR). We are renowned for crafting cutting-edge, interactive performances that push the boundaries of what live theatre can be, blending narrative, technology, and audience engagement in new and innovative ways. Our work has garnered international recognition, winning prestigious awards and being showcased at top film festivals worldwide, cementing our reputation as leaders in the VR theatre space.

What sets us apart is our unique approach to merging live theatre with the immersive potential of VR. We don’t just replicate traditional stage performances—we redefine the entire experience, creating fully interactive and engaging worlds where the audience is part of the action. Our productions, such as Uncanny Alley, Find WiiLii, Gumball Dreams, and Welcome to Respite have captivated audiences and critics alike, offering them a unique fusion of live performance and virtual environments.

We are most proud of our ability to innovate within a genre that is still evolving. Our team is dedicated to pushing creative boundaries while maintaining a deep connection to storytelling and performance. Each project we undertake is looking to explore different ways of working within this new storytelling genre and how we can continue to make a meaningful connection to our audience. We want to showcase our passion for immersive experiences and our commitment to delivering something truly groundbreaking with each performance.

Ferryman Collective is not just about entertainment; it’s about creating an entirely new way to experience live theatre and a to connect with audiences and fans. We put the audience at the center of the story, they are the star. When collaborating with another company, organization or individual we want to help them discover ways to bring the story behind their product or vision to life.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
Absolutely, I think there are things that anyone chasing the dream of a career in entertainment should keep in mind, all of which are things that I have learned along the way and do wish I had a better understanding of when I started.

First and foremost, be patient with yourself. This journey is rarely linear, there will be times when progress feels slow or uncertain and other times when it might feel like you are going off in a strange direction. Early in my career, I sometimes felt frustrated by the lack of immediate success or the fear that I wasn’t on the “right” path. But I realized that every experience, every project, no matter how small, whether it was a success or not, adds up. Even the most difficult moments are opportunities for growth and learning.

Also it sounds cliche, but while you don’t have to embrace failure and rejection, you do need to learn how to life with them and not let them stop you from moving forward. There will be auditions you don’t get, projects that don’t come together, and times when you feel overlooked. But if you keep working towards your goals, you will start to see the way in which sometimes a redirect can be useful and that even if you end up somewhere different than you expected, it is not failure, but a learning a new skill or lesson.

One of the most important things I wish I had known earlier is the power of collaboration, not just relying on your own skills to get the job done but finding other creative people whose work you and enjoy and creating something magical together. The success of a project is often the result of a strong hardworking team; creative minds, technical experts, and storytellers all combining their talents to bring something to life. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from others who have more experience. and surround yourself with people who inspire you, challenge you, and support you.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.whittonfrank.com, www.ferrymancollective.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/missredabouttown, https://www.instagram.com/ferrymanvr/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FerrymanVR
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/whitton-frank-a54155100/
• Other: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3381369/