Distance Duet is the first act of Distance Duets: 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.
ACT I:
High Desert Test Sites and the City of Twentynine Palms presented Distance Duet on November 22+23, 2024. co-directed with Ryan Heffington with High Desert Choir choreography by Caroline Partamian.
Los Angeles Philharmonic presented Distance Duet on March 8, 2025 at the Los Angeles Central Library.
featuring: Arlene Deradoorian (LA), 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 (LA), 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.
performance still by Sarah Lyon