LISA HORI-GARCIA

The Project

The Strange Library is an immersive staging of Haruki Murakami’s novella, conceived and directed by Lisa Hori-Garcia. The work preserves Murakami’s text word-for-word while surrounding it with original sequences that transform the theater into a Japanese library and a shifting interior landscape. Audiences move through the space alongside performers, experiencing the story through both language and environment.

The Experience

Visitors enter as participants, guided by actors portraying librarians and assistants. Using bilingual instruction, gentle tasks, and shared attention, audiences explore the space before, during, and after the staged text.

After the main performance, the environment shifts to reflect the protagonist’s inner journey. Light, sound, and spatial details transform familiar spaces, encouraging reflection, curiosity, and quiet engagement.

My Role

I conceived and co-directed the project, shaping both the staged performance and the immersive sequences. Key responsibilities included:

• Adapting Murakami’s novella for live performance while keeping the text intact

• Designing pre- and post-play immersive experiences for audience participation

• Researching Japanese theatrical forms and collaborating with designers and performers

• Leading iterative rehearsals and audience testing to refine pacing, interaction, and spatial flow

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The Strange Library emerged through a balance of care and curiosity- honoring the source material while leaving room for ensemble-driven discovery. The project reflects my ongoing interest in adaptation, collaborative authorship, and immersive storytelling as both artistic and pedagogical practice.