SONA TEAM
STEPHAN CASPAR : Festival Director
An artist, educator, and storyteller working at the intersection of technology, culture, and memory. His practice explores the immersive potential of VR, AR, and 360° media as tools for reimagining place, language, and culture. Through documentary filmmaking and digital storytelling, he examines the ways narrative constructs meaning, inviting audiences to engage with layered, sensorial experiences that challenge linear perception.
His work embraces a multidisciplinary approach, weaving together film, sound, and interactive media to create participatory spaces that blur the boundaries between the physical and the virtual. Whether through projected installations, spatial audio, or experimental narratives, he seeks to disrupt conventional modes of storytelling, fostering deeper connections between people, histories, and the environments they inhabit.
As Director of the SONA Immersive Storytelling Festival and The Kenner Room at Carnegie Mellon University, he brings this philosophy into his teaching, designing project-based experiences that merge creative practice with critical inquiry. His background in filmmaking and media production, including work with the BBC, informs a body of work that is both reflective and expansive, driven by a fascination with the evolving relationship between storytelling, technology, and people.
STEFANI TASKAS : Technical Director
Stefani Taskas is a programmer, developer, and game designer with a passion for storytelling. As the Digital Learning Experience Developer for the Department of Languages, Cultures & Applied Linguistics, they work on transformational experiences and work in both The Kenner Room and the Modern Language Resource Center and Humanities Commons. They earned a Master of Entertainment Technology at Carnegie Mellon University, and prior to that earned a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, minoring in Game Design and Development at Michigan State University. They believe that technology and games can be a powerful tool for learning. Whether it’s VR, mobile, tabletop or otherwise, they are interested in developing experiences that draw players to dive deeper into the subject matter covered.
THOMAS YOUN : Festival Producer
Thomas Youn is a creative producer and project manager in the interactive entertainment space, with a passion for transformative storytelling experiences. He has recently completed his Masters in entertainment technology at Carnegie Mellon University, and is currently serving as the event planner for the SONA 2025 Festival. His previous work often explored the intersection of experimental technologies and narrative experiences, expanding on the potential of interactive storytelling and discovering new implications of emerging mediums.
SEOHEE LEE : Festival Team Lead
As a film director with experience, I have a passion for creating and delivering compelling and engaging cinematic stories. I am currently pursuing a Master of Arts Management at Carnegie Mellon University, where I hope to expand my knowledge and network in the arts industry. I am driven by a vision of creating impactful and innovative arts that inspire and challenge audiences.
