Creative Technologies at Illinois State University

09/17/2026

What happens when three experimental musicians come together and leave room for the unexpected?

On Monday night, pt.fwd and the School of Creative Technologies welcomed Maria Chávez, Shahzad Ismaily, and Greg Saunier to Illinois State University for a public talk and performance.

From abstract turntablism and outré drumming to unconventional instrumentation, the performance was an experience in discovery. Watching the trio interact and build sound together in real time created a sense that you never quite knew what would happen next and that was part of the magic.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and to Maria Chávez, Shahzad Ismaily, and Greg Saunier for sharing their work, process, and sound with our community.

09/11/2026

pt.fwd and the School of Creative Technologies at Illinois State University will be welcoming an incredible trio of experimental musicians for a special public talk and performance!

Combining abstract turntablism, outré drumming, and uncanny instrumentation, Maria Chávez, Shahzad Ismaily, and Greg Saunier are bringing their unique sound to ISU.

The trio first came together for a performance in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in May 2025, earning a glowing review in The Wire. Writer Vanessa Ague described the experience as “a reminder of [...] the sheer joy of seeing what surprises we can find in sound.”

Come experience the unexpected, explore experimental sound, and hear these seasoned musicians live.

📅 Monday, September 14
📍   PUBLIC TALK: 10-10:50am / CVA 133 
      PERFORMANCE: 7pm / University Galleries

This is one you won’t want to miss!

09/08/2026

New publication!

Professor Simone Downie has published “Shadow Castle,” a groundbreaking interactive storybook game that challenges how we think about reading and engagement.

The game uses a conductive fabric book, touch interactions, and digital projection to create a multisensory experience, designed specifically for aliterate learners (those who can read but prefer not to). By merging craft, technology, and collaborative play, Shadow Castle opens new pathways into narrative exploration.
The development process itself is beautiful: Professor Downie conducted co-design sessions with students to understand how physical materials shape understanding and emotional connection. Those insights directly shaped the book’s design.

This work exemplifies how arts-based, participatory approaches can transform education. Congratulations to Professor Downie!

09/04/2026

Guess who is hiring! Just like a Production Assistant, our Program Assistants will have the opportunity to help out with a wide variety of things around the School of Creative Technologies. Hiring is happening on a rolling basis, so get those applications in!!

Title: School of Creative Technologies Program AssistantEmployee Classification: Division Name: Academic AffairsDepartment: School of Creative Technologies Job Summary The School of Creative Technologies is hiring a small team of student Program Assistants to support CTK’s studio and production sp...

09/02/2026

Graduate Student Spotlight: Sarah Wierschem!🎉

After a year of solo development, Sarah Wierschem will be showcasing the demo of A Week Before Autumn for the first time at the Chicago Indie Game Showcase!
She’s incredibly excited to share a game she has been passionately working on for so long and to finally give people the opportunity to play it.

Above all, Sarah hopes this project encourages students to pursue independent projects, take advantage of the resources available to them, and share their work with others.

“Game development is hard, and I can’t wait to celebrate both my work and the work of other local developers!”
Congratulations, Sarah! We’re excited to see A Week Before Autumn represented at the Chicago Indie Game Showcase! 🎉🥳

09/02/2026

Graduate Student Spotlight: Sarah Wierschem!🎉

After a year of solo development, Sarah Wierschem will be showcasing the demo of A Week Before Autumn for the first time at the Chicago Indie Game Showcase!
She’s incredibly excited to share a game she has been passionately working on for so long and to finally give people the opportunity to play it.

Above all, Sarah hopes this project encourages students to pursue independent projects, take advantage of the resources available to them, and share their work with others.

“Game development is hard, and I can’t wait to celebrate both my work and the work of other local developers!”

Congratulations, Sarah! We’re excited to see A Week Before Autumn represented at the Chicago Indie Game Showcase! 🎉🥳

09/01/2026

07/06/2026

https://www.undertheradarmag.com/news/premiere_myth_math_shares_new_single_infinity?fbclid=IwY2xjawS5BfFleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFuVG95ZERDcERFdUxDVW8wc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHuRXkexLtKWaDNpvfH7gPDZMEvC8ff9GJ8Dictjs52agB3ORGKs7phNNYMv1_aem_IbDc8SHpaG19cbC7GI9AOQ

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06/26/2026

Opportunity + empathy!

06/08/2026

Friends, we had a wonderful weekend. We celebrated the 100th year of the mother road! Annie, Chris, and Andrea 'Simone' shared an incredible project with our community!!

Thanks for an awesome collaboration! Visit BN, McLean County Museum of History, Markey's