Finding Their Voice – Rehearsals for the VR Experience

On 13 November 2024, the rehearsal room at CERES Community Environment Park was abuzz with energy. Voice actors Sarah, Aaron, and Isabella gathered with Sam Loy, the writer of the script, to bring the immersive VR experience to life. The day began with icebreakers and a full script read-through, delving into the emotional weight of a bushfire threat and its profound impact on family relationships.

Voice actors Sarah Hamilton (mother/wife role), Aaron Campbell (father/husband role), Isabelle Anderson (daughter role).

What made this experience truly powerful was the presence of Carol Matthews, Kate Riddell, and Jemima Richards, who shared their firsthand experiences of being impacted by bushfire. Their stories, raw and unfiltered, gave the actors a window into the visceral reality of that day: the fear, the adrenaline, and the instinctive need to protect. As Carol, Kate, and Jemima spoke, the room fell silent, their words carving out a space of deep understanding and empathy.

Carol Matthews (right), and Jemima Richards.

This authenticity was critical. For the VR experience to resonate, it needed to reflect the lived experience of survivors—an immersive journey that is not just heard, but felt. With each line spoken and each scene rehearsed, the actors imbued their performances with the weight of real stories, ensuring the final product would honour those whose communities have experienced fire and the long journey through recovery.