Distance Duet in Joshua Tree, CA. 2024 performance still by Sarah Lyon
Distance Duet is a multi act dance-opera and de-creation myth created and composed by Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs. This piece plays out over different times in distant locations - performances can be viewed as discrete, standalone works, but are conceived as a living triptych.
Los Angeles Philharmonic presented Distance Duet on March 8,, 2025 at the Los Angeles Central Library. Additional costumes made by Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs with Bonita Knight.
Early workshops of the piece took place on November 22+23, 2024 in Joshua Tree (High Desert Test Sites) and Twentynine Palms, CA (Freedom Plaza) co-directed with Ryan Heffington with High Desert Choir choreography by Caroline Partamian.
featuring: Arlene Deradoorian, Guy Fletcher, Janai Leeb, Jess Basta, Kathryn Shuman, Lucia Joyce, OBSIDIENNE OBSURD, Rachel Beetz, Sharon Chohi Kim, Taylor Plenn, Yiwen Tang, High Desert Choir, Community Chorus, Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs + Ryan Heffington
Costumes by: Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs, Bonita Knight, Ryan Heffington, Meals, 69 us, 323, OBSIDIENNE OBSURD
Lighting (LA Phil): Brandon Baruch
Sound: Michael Hilger
Made possible with the support of: California Arts Council, LA Phil INSIGHT, High Desert Test Sites, City of Twentynine Palms, ALOUD, The Puffin Foundation, Anonymous
Photos by Halline Overby unless noted.
Jess Basta (Pebble). Janai Leeb (Big Rock) Performance still at LA Phil at Los Angeles Central Library, 2025. all photos by Halline Overby
Sharon Chohi Kim (Wind) , Lucia Joyce, Community Chorus (Water)
Community Chorus (Water)
Rachel Beetz (Sun)
Janai Leeb (Big Rock)
Arlene Deradoorian (Moon), Rachel Beetz (Sun)
Yiwen Tang, Kathryn Shuman, Taylor Plenn, Sharon Chohi Kim
Kathryn Shuman, Yiwen Tang (Grasses)
Jess Basta (Pebble), OBSIDIENNE OBSURD (Time)
Taylor Plenn (Plastic Bag)
rehearsal still : )