About this Piece

Distance Duet is a selection of Riggs’ work-in-process operatic epic. Non-human narrators - stones, a river, wind, desert grasses, fire - operate in vastly different timescales while acting out a rock-paper-scissors-inspired circle of longing. Their stories unfold over eons, simultaneously, in cycles that repeat, permutate and evolve over the course of the performance. Stones recall their shifts and splits, water floods and recedes, the desert grasses evolve, the wind wants to touch everything. 

Originally conceived at High Desert Test Sites in Joshua Tree, these “duets” are expansive interactions across space and time, not limited to a single moment, melody, nor confined to a single location. Every act is a duet, every action is interrelated, in spite of our perceived separation.

This showing of Distance Duet features both professional performers and lay performers from the High Desert and Los Angeles.

Featured performers include:
Janai Amey
Rachel Beetz
Jess Basta
Arlene Deradoorian
Lucia Joyce
Sharon Chohi Kim
OBSIDIENNE OBSURB
Taylor Plenn
Kathryn Shuman
Yiwen Tang
Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs
Community Chorus and High Desert Choir

Composed/directed by Carolyn Pennypacker
Adapted movement by Ryan Heffington and Caroline Partamian
Additional Sound Design by Michael Hilger
Costumes by Carolyn Pennypacker Riggs and Bonita Knight, Ryan Heffington, 69 us, Meals, 323