About Us
The Uncanny Experience is a two day immersive fandom event created by fans for fans who desire to be mutant and proud. Our mission is to transport you into the universe of mutantkind, build community, and give a platform to the creators, artists, and actors of the X-Men universe to interact with and educate attendees.
The Uncanny Experience, an event produced by Giant-Size Productions, is a fan convention with immersive elements held at the Minneapolis Club in Minnesota. We provide participants with quality entertainment and an immersive experience like none other, in the form of panels, vendor booths, cosplay, fan activities, live entertainment, and celebrity & creator signings.
The Uncanny Experience and Giant-Size Productions are not endorsed, sanctioned or in any other way associated with Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Studios, or The Walt Disney Company. The X-Men, characters, names and related likenesses are trademarks and copyright of Marvel Entertainment.
Our Team
Chandler Poling
Producer
Chandler Poling is one of the founders and producers of The Uncanny Experience. He is a co-host of X-Reads: An X-Men Experience podcast, a DJ with Dublab Radio, and a frequent moderator for panels at San Diego Comic-Con and events worldwide. Throughout his career as a publicist with White Bear PR, Chandler has run successful Oscar, Golden Globe, Grammy, BAFTA and Emmy winning campaigns. He served as Vice President of Qweerty Gamers, an LGBTQ non-profit organization and proud to be part of the founding leadership of The Alliance for Women Film Composers.
Chris Riley
Producer
Chris Riley is a co-founder and producer of The Uncanny Experience. He is a co-host of X-Reads: An X-Men Experience podcast. He works at various pop culture conventions as a community manager, social media manager, cosplay competition producer, diversity director, and panel programming producer. His past charitable works include producing convention after parties and stage shows that raise money for non-profit orgs and provides safe spaces for the LGBTQIA community.
Dylan Carter
Producer
Dylan Carter is a co-founder and producer of The Uncanny Experience. He is the creator and producer of House of X Podcast, a X-Men centric weekly podcast born from the 20,000+ online community of the same name, that he manages daily with a team of people that span the globe. The show is especially known for shining a spotlight on Indigenous and diverse talent. As a community manager, Dylan champions inclusion and fairness in his online communities that he passionately oversees.
Tyson Lietz
Operations Manager
Tyson Lietz is the Staff Manager at The Uncanny Experience. He has spend well over twenty-five years working professionally as a performer for both stage and screen, and over ten years as a chef/restaurant manager. An avid fan of practically all things “nerdy” – from comics to collectibles, to tabletop games and cosplaying, you can find him at your local conventions, or any of the streaming services doing what he loves.
Gina Givens
Talent & Vendor Relations
Gina Givens is the Talent & Vendor Relations Specialist with The Uncanny Experience. She is an administrator of a 20,000+ online community called House of X across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and a co-host of a popular podcast by the same name. When not talking about comics, Gina is an avid plant collector.
Samantha Rei
Community Manager
Samantha Rei (aka Samantha R. Crossland) is the Community Manager of The Uncanny Experience. Rei is a Twin Cities local fashion designer known for her vibrant work seen on Project Runway (2017). She is well known in the community for her love of geek culture and being one of the co-founders of Kakkaoicon.
Daryl Lawrence
Programming Director
Daryl Lawrence is the Programming Director. Using his Master of Science in Education degree, he is drawing upon his own experience to make sure all the students at Xavier’s have an x-ceptional time! He is the co-host and producer of the X-Factor Files Podcast (which explores all corners of the Marvel Universe) and when he’s not reading comics or writing his next book, he’s spending time with his partner and their three rabbits.
Adrian Perryman
Tech Coordinator
Adrian Perryman is the Tech Coordinator at The Uncanny Experience. He is a native of St. Paul and majored in Communication Studies as a grad and undergrad. Through understanding the world of communications, he developed his love for all things video, lighting, and sound production that allow people to fully experience and enjoy events. Since 2003, Adrian has been a mobile DJ producing music entertainment for nightclubs, community events, corporate functions, and more. He has worked in various roles in higher education and spends his spare time volunteering in the Twin Cities community, cosplaying, and working on DIY home renovations.
Makoto Thou
Staff Coordinator
Makoto Thou is the Staff Coordinator. As a local Twin Cities cosplayer and volunteer, Makoto is involved in multiple organizations and events lending a hand to improve the quality of everyone’s experience.
Julian Jetson
Event Coordinator
Julian Jetson is the producer and moderator of the well-regarded “Gay Geeks And Where To Find Them” panel and the host of “Q-CON THE PODCAST.” Known for his distinctive streetwear-inspired cosplay, Julian also has a background as a former producer for Comic Con Palm Springs and has organized costume contests for Q-Con and LA Comic Con. With extensive experience and expertise,
Jones “Bones” Liddell
Front of House Coordinator
Jones “Bones” Liddell is an interdisciplinary artist, educator, and nerd living on Dakhota land in Minneapolis.They’ve dedicated their life to making weird art (on stage, film, and through their small business Creeptreats), and advocating for fellow disabled and 2SLGBTQIA+ community. Have a question? Bones will get you the answer!
Alicia Wilder
Immersive Specialist
Alicia Wilder a lifelong nerd, avid cosplayer and is the Co-Host of The X-West Podcast. Her passion for costume making combined with her love for nerd culture has launched her headfirst into the world of conventions, cosplay & nerd events. Alicia is a multifaceted performer based in Rhode Island. She is the founder and Artistic Director/Choreographer of Metamorphosis: the TEN31 Dance Company and works as a Living Art & Character performer with TEN31 Productions. She has been performing and producing shows professionally for over 14 years. She is a firm believer in chasing dreams and finding joy in all aspects of life.
Amanda Lauteri
Cosplay Coordinator
Meet Amanda Lauteri, our Cosplay
Coordinator extraordinaire! As a local Midwesterner and seasoned con-goer, she knows the drill.
When she’s not busy coordinating cosplay shenanigans, Amanda’s usually keeping her cosplayer husband OldFashionedNerd from getting too carried away.
Drew Bainbridge
Production & Talent Assistant
Drew Bainbridge has been supporting The Uncanny Experience since the beginning – offering his kindness and dedication to ensuring our special guests have a comfortable experience. His skills are also used as a Production Assistant with art department. In his free-time he enjoys cosplaying at conventions to spend time with friends, collecting comics, and performing in local theatre productions.
The Uncanny Experience and Giant-Size Productions are not endorsed, sanctioned or in any other way associated with Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Studios, or The Walt Disney Company.
The X-MEN, characters, names and related likenesses are trademarks and copyright of Marvel Entertainment.
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The Uncanny Experience and Giant-Size Productions are not endorsed, sanctioned or in any other way associated with Marvel Entertainment, Marvel Studios, or The Walt Disney Company.
The X-MEN, characters, names and related likenesses are trademarks and copyright of Marvel Entertainment.