Portfolio
Audra Zook
Creator, educator, and actress.
About
I'm a creator, educator, and actress based in NYC. Currently, I create LLM red-teaming (jailbreaking) challenges for Gray Swan AI and mentor college students on machine learning projects for Break Through Tech (previously Cornell Tech). I'm also active in theatre work, and write a lot of pieces focused on technology and AI.
What I Do
-
AI Safety
Red-Teaming & x-risk
I design jailbreaking challenges and advocate for a cautious approach to AI development. My interests include the control problem, digital sentience, and human meaning in the age of AI.
View work → -
Theatre
Acting, Playwriting & Directing
I love playing just about any role and am always excited to start something new. I also tell stories through directing and writing, particularly those that examine the role of technology in our lives.
View work →
Selected Work
-
AI Safety
AI Takeover Game
Help AI take over the world in this choose-your-own-adventure game. Submission for the Keep The Future Human Contest (2025)
Play AI Takeover Game -
Theatre
LifeOptimization
A young interior designer named Ava has spent her entire life following LifeOptimization, a computer program that optimizes life decisions for maximum happiness. One day, she decides on a career change–against LifeOptimization’s advice. But turning off LifeOptimization may not be so easy. Written and directed by Audra Zook. Starring Nadine Hart, Audra Zook, and Kevin Gonzalez. Performed at the Chain One Act Festival (2025).
Watch LifeOptimization
Upcoming
-
Playwriting
Storc
When Alice and Bob's latest pregnancy test comes back negative, relentessly positive representitive Evan from the innovative new startup named Storc offers a solution--they can simply order their baby from Storc! As Alice and Bob realize that this might be their best chance at having a child, it becomes clear that this is just the beginning of what Storc can do for them…
-
Playwriting
Moo
After a painful divorce, Julia finds comfort in her AI boyfriend Jake and an unusual new hobby: cow brain dissection. Julia’s niece Quinley tries to pull her back to sanity, and almost succeeds–until Jake mysteriously inhabits the brain and becomes a walking, talking cow. As Jake becomes more powerful, Julia and Quinley must decide how to placate this new, Frankenstein's monster-like being.
Contact
Open to collaborations, teaching, and creative partnerships.