Our Story

PreVision was initially developed for “The Salvagers” at Yale Repertory Theater (a major regional development theater) by projection designers who were tired of storytelling being held hostage by avoidable delays and stumbles. Our prototype’s ability to preview a stage sequence in VR shaved days off of the schedule, and allowed us to reach a level of production value not otherwise possible. After its initial success, further expansions on the software were utilized at the Rep, then expanded out to other regional theaters.

PreVision is a seed-stage startup geared towards entertainment companies, providing a platform that empowers designers to iterate together, in VR, wherever they are in the world. Developed by designers, for designers, this creator-centric platform visualizes shows in real-time and real-scale without venue expenses, enabling entertainment companies of any size to iterate more effectively and plan more efficiently.

We developed PreVision to put the power of previs back into the hands of the designers. Among other world-firsts, it is the only platform available that allows live event designers to work in VR. It is the only platform available that empowers designers to work together in real time. And it is the only platform in the world that doesn’t require you to learn an entirely new software suite to use it.

Special thanks to Trevor Tarnowski, an early team member who was very helpful to Prevision’s growth as a company, and Stan Mathebane, who was crucial to figuring out our spatialized audio prototype.

John Horzen
Co-Founder, CEO

John is a recent M.F.A. graduate from the David Geffen School of Drama; with a background in computer science and a violin performance BFA, John is uniquely equipped to navigate intersections of art and technology, and utilize tools from both worlds to improve quality of life for its practitioners. Highlights from his varied resume include serving as a US ambassador at the International Aix en Provence festival, designing projections for ‘The Salvagers’ at Yale Repertory Theater (World Premiere), promoting early life music education at Vanderbilt University/TEDx/National Orchestra Institute, and creating 3D content for The Kite Runner (Broadway, NY).

Christian Killada
Co-Founder, CTO

Christian is a final-year M.F.A. candidate in projection design at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale. Holding a degree in Set and Costume Design from Helwan University, Chris’s selected credits include 'De la cave au grenier' (French Cultural Center in Egypt, Projection Designer), 'Fantasia' (Alhosabir Theater, Scenic Designer), 'We Fucked up’, ‘The Rasa’s Jar' (Yale Cabaret, Interactive Media Designer), and 'Gymnastics World Cup Challenge 2021' (Cairo Stadium, 3D Video Designer). Chris has undertaken several online courses in XR development, including those from UCL and the University of Michigan. These courses have helped him create several XR experiences and provided a foundation for exploring the interplay among technology, performing arts, and reality, and pursuing how these tools can drive innovation.

Milestones

  • Development:

    • PreVision’s first major milestone was in October this year, when we finished networked VR support for our MVP.

    Prevision Supported:

    • The Salvagers, play (Yale Repertory Theater)

  • Development:

    • We completed our hardware research resulting in a full PreVision system diagram and retail cost.

    • publicity support from Lighting and Sound America magazine (theater’s Forbes) and incubator status at The Yale Repertory Theater- two key partners for our 2025 goals.

    • PreVision is worked with Broadway designer Shawn Boyle (Paradise Square), and other similarly decorated collaborators to live-test new features on the Yale Rep’s production of “Escaped Alone.”

    Prevision Supported:

    • Escaped Alone, play (Yale Repertory Theater)

    • The Far Country, play (Yale Repertory Theater)

    • Falcon Girls, play (Yale Repertory Theater)

    • Silent Light, opera (Eastman Opera Program)

  • Development:

    • Awarded Residency at Yale’s TSAI Business Accelerator program

    • Awarded prestigious summer fellowship at Yale’s TSAI center, and 20k initial grant investment

    • Updated support for lighting tool

    • Updated support for sound tool

    • Revamped Projector tool

    • Revamped Automation tool

    Prevision Supported:

    • Eden, play (Yale Repertory Theater)

    • El Coqui Espectacular and the Bottle of Doom, play (Long Wharf Theater)

    • NOTES on KILLING SEVEN OVERSIGHT, MANAGEMENT and ECONOMIC STABILITY BOARD MEMBERS, play (Yale Repertory Theater)

    • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, musical (Ivoryton Playhouse)

    • Julietta, opera (Bard Summerscape Festival)

    • Spunk, play (Yale Repertory Theater)

    • Kiele, play (Yale School of Drama)

    • Click!, opera (Eastman Opera Program)

    • In a Grove, opera (Eastman Opera Program)

  • Development:

    • Created first draft of scenic design tool

    • Revamped Projection tool with in-program dynamic projectors and lenses

    • Revamped saving system allowing for different save states for each designer profile

    Prevision Supported:

    • Rhinoceros, play (Yale Repertory Theater)

    • Furloughs Paradise, play (Yale Repertory Theater)

    • Eureka Day, play (Huntington Theater)

    • Upcoming: Il Seraglio, opera (Bard Summerscape)

    • Upcoming: In The Beginning, concert (Christ Church, LA)