GREENFIELD — After a successful premiere last summer, the Human Agenda Theater production “Mira and the Liminal Dimension” is back on stage to deliver an out-of-this-world experience.

The show, directed by Kevin Van Develde and co-produced by a six-member ensemble, explores the concept of “liminal space,” or instances that seem to exist between worlds. According to company member Amanda Bowman, since debuting at The LAVA Center last year, the production has been polished with improved acting, revised sequencing and advancements in technological capabilities. It will be performed at The Perch at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center on Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., as well as on Sunday at 2 p.m.

“Mira and the Liminal Dimension” functions to “encourage feelings of detachment from reality,” according to Van Develde’s summary. This, he stressed, mirrors the function of liminal spaces more broadly.

“[Liminal spaces] are mysterious places, like abandoned barns deep in the woods behind your childhood home or long-forgotten theme parks,” he continued. “They are oftentimes places that people only visit in transition, like bus stations, airports, empty late-night parking lots and hospital waiting rooms. They are memories and moments that feel both imagined and real.”

“We follow the titular character, Mira, as she finds herself stuck ‘Alice in Wonderland’-style in the ‘Liminal Dimension,’ a place that embodies the in-between and the strange,” the show’s event posting reads. “She is guided by many in her journey, but in particular by a spirit of the dimension, Janus. With Janus’ help, Mira grapples with being stuck in between — in her life, in her job and in her soul.”

To create this atmosphere, the production will employ a “very bare bones” set that depicts the “real world” in silhouettes and shadows, Bowman described. Meanwhile, liminal space will be expressed through “really colorful and wacky” lighting and costuming that looks “a little bit off or not quite right.”

“It’s meant to be very stylistic and colorful and fun,” Bowman said.

The experience will be made more immersive than ever with improved LED light capabilities and sound queues, she added. Furthermore, she continued, the show has been smoothed out with the cutting of an original scene and the insertion of a new one.

Tickets can be purchased on a sliding scale of $10 to $30 at the door or online at bit.ly/3HaqBFT.

Reach Julian Mendoza at 413-930-4231 or jmendoza@recorder.com.

]]>