Secret Garden Studios LLC is an American freeform larp studio with a mission to create and live the stories we wish to see in the world.
At SGS, we aim to engineer opportunities for growth, healing, self and social examination, and emotional restoration for our players—without sacrificing an ounce of play, drama, or storytelling. Our larps vary greatly in genre, subject matter, and the intended lightness/darkness of their respective themes. We hope to capture the societal and social experiences that define us as humans, as well as facilitate and bring to life the private dreams of our childhood selves.
SGS was named after the classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, and the founder’s personal view of larp as the secret garden she is endlessly grateful to have stumbled upon. It is her mission to help grow that garden for all those fortunate and courageous enough to share in its splendor. Like their namesake, SGS larps will contain elements surrounding the magic of nature, the power of thought, and the necessity of human companionship.
“She was inside the wonderful garden and she could come through the door under the ivy any time, and she felt as if she had found a world all her own.”
She’s written and run three short-form games since discovering larp—“Secrets of the Seelie Court: A Sapphic Soiree,” (Intercon W) “Plantscendence,” (Intercon W’s Iron GM) and “Before the Ink Dries” (Peaky Midwest)—and this will be the first multi-day game she runs. In 2026, she will also serve as a facilitator for Conscience USA and in the Denmark run of Dresden Files, both of which are being produced and run by Mooney Bin Entertainment.
In her spare time (and there isn’t much), Anna writes novels, binges sitcoms, collects vintage books, babysits as much as possible, and lives and dies by the works of Jane Austen.
They’ve written several short-form games, including “Queen of Queens” (Intercon S + T) and “Eden on the Yangtze” (Intercon U + V). Photography credits include Together at Last (Reflections Larp Studio), Indenture (Atropos Studios), Monstrosity (Sinking Ship Creations), and, of course, this website.
Outside of larp, timothy works as software engineer in their day job, plays a bunch of D&D, and will talk your ear off about Russian literature if you let them.
Paul ran his first larp this past October: a low fantasy weekend game entitled As You Wish. Most of his experience lies in crewing, assisting with everything from kitchen work to decoration setup to hauling heavy objects. Paul is an enthusiastic, active team member and volunteer, so he’s always looking for the next larp or creative project he can assist. If you’re in need of a collaborator or crewmember—or just a good chat—Paul is your man!
In everyday life, Paul attends trade school in pursuit of a degree in Industrial Robotics, manages an Airbnb in Utah, fiddles with his guitar like a self-aware Ken, and spends roughly one week per month larping. In 2026, in addition to Vanitas, you can expect to see him at Forbidden History, Conscience, and Bug Out (and probably a few others).
While Ana Sofia is obsessed with all things TTRPG, this is her first foray into the larping world. When she isn’t cooking, she’s probably glassblowing, playing music, or working her day job in habitat restoration. If texting doesn’t work, try finding Ana Sofia in your local bog, tide pool, or cedar stump.
Contact
If you have any questions, please feel free to send us an email at crew@vanitaslarp.com.
Acknowledgements
Vanitas is directly inspired by the elements of artistic experimentation in Fragment of a Novel by Atropos Studios.
Website design and photography by timothy yuan.
Website background by Viktoriya Lissachenko on Unsplash.
Website favicon: Easel icons created by Blak1ta – Flaticon