Kai “Ilya” W

Hello! My name is Kai (he/him) and I am a queer interdisciplinary artist hailing from Hong Kong. I am a recent graduate from the University of British Columbia BFA Theatre Design/Production program, with a specialization in projection & lighting design. My passion for design spurs from the burning desire to create something that makes people feel. I hope to connect performer to artwork to audience with pieces that can be interactive and immersive for everyone. Outside of theatre and public art work, I also host workshops with the UBC Pride Collective in teaching Safe and Educational Queer Sex & Intimacy (SEQSI).

I am looking for and open to doing: Classical theatre shows, art installations, dance performances, and devised theatre. Experienced in both working with scripts and freestyle improvisation. I am incredibly adept at working with any given situation, site specific works, and using the environment/resources around me to make something out of nothing.

Previous credits include LumiereYVR Festival 2025 & 2024, TomorrowLove (UBC), OSMOSi 422: Unprocessable Identity (Nancy Lee, Polygon Art Gallery), and the world premiere of Oscar Navarro’s Leyendas (UBC Symphony Orchestra).

As always and forever, I'd like to thank Robert Gardiner for his unwavering belief and support.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
“Are you really a guy?”
    Yes.
“Why do you wear eyeliner?” 
    Why does a tiger have stripes?
“If you’re a man, why do you dress like that?”
    I just like being pretty.