Water Choir

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 ACT 1 of Distance Duet on March 8, 2025 at the Los Angeles Central Library.

featuring: Arlene Deradoorian, Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs, Janai Amey, Jess Basta, Kathryn Shuman, Lucia Joyce, OBSIDIENNE OBSURD, Rachel Beetz, Sharon Chohi Kim, Taylor Plenn, Yiwen Tang, High Desert Choir, Community Chorus

Costumes by: Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs and Bonita Knight

Lighting: Brandon Baruch

Sound: Michael Hilger

Made possible with the support of: LA Phil INSIGHT, High Desert Test Sites, 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)

Rachel Beetz (Sun)

Janai Amey(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 : )