The architecture of Gunter Hall at UNC inspired an idea for Dr. Harmon. This show was produced on Jan. 27 in Gunter Hall on a staircase. Dr. Harmon found the staircase used in this show while taking a walk during the one-act festival at the University of Northern Colorado.
“We've been on this campus ten years,” Harmon said. “Never walked into that part of the building, and I was impressed by that foyer. It is stunning. It is a stunning piece of architecture. So, this production, being a student group production, meant that I was getting to work with an all-student cast."
The play Interlifechangecycle was originally produced in 2009. Dr. Harmon is extremely interested in immersive theater. The original production of this show was featured on a staircase where the audience is closely immersed with the actors.
“It was produced by the theater company that I was the artistic director of," Harmon said. "We invited a lot of our friends in the acting community to be a part of it."
The idea for the play started with the simple idea of being stuck in traffic. Harmon knew this was the idea he wanted to create a play on. With this idea, he was able to create a play to put on a spiral staircase.
“I felt like a voyeur into their lives and their frustrations, but I also was used to being stuck in traffic,” Harmon said. “[Harmon’s former theater] did not dictate to us what they wanted.”
Now, he got inspired to update the venue on the UNC campus. Interlifechangecycle is an example of how the PVA department at UNC is pushing boundaries with immersive theater.
“They really found a connection to the messaging of the play," Harmon said. "The performance was heartfelt and really authentic."
