Co-Created by David Neumann & Marcella Murray

With Performances by:

Hyung Seok Jeon, Julius Powell, Marcella Murray, and David Neumann

Distances Smaller had its world premiere in January 2020.

The work is co-commissioned and co-presented by Abrons Arts Center and the Chocolate Factory Theater, produced by Advanced Beginner Group, and associate-produced by Mabou Mines.

In Distances Smaller Than This Are Not Confirmed, co-creators David Neumann & Marcella Murray create a staged conversation of intimate scale on the set of a tv talk show where they explore and unpack their several-years-long ongoing dialogue about race alongside astronomical questions of scale and time.

Mirroring the current societal conversation, in all its hubris, fuckups and wonders. Marcella and David weave personal stories in amongst historical events, scientific uncertainties, live video refuting ideas of scale, and periodic mesmerizing dances. Over-simplification is resisted. Imperfection is a given.

CREDITS

Co-Creators: David Neumann & Marcella Murray

Performers: Hyung Seok Jeon, Julius Powell, Marcella Murray, David Neumann

Sound Design & Lead Collaborator: Tei Blow

Video Design: Hyung Seok Jeon

Set and Props Design: Chris Green

Lighting Design: Grace Gilmore

Costume Design: Montana Blanco
Associate Costume Design: Jessica Crawford

Original Music: Stew

Dramaturgy: Melanie George

Administration: Amanda Brandes

Producer: Boo Froebel

The creation of Distances Smaller Than This Are Not Confirmed is made possible, in part, with support from the Marta Heflin Foundation, the Axe-Houghton Foundation, and the David and Leni Moore Foundation, and by developmental residencies at Baryshnikov Arts Center, the Rauschenberg Residency/Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, the SETI Institute (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), PS21 Chatham, MASS MoCA, multiple residencies at Abrons Arts Center, Mabou Mines, and MANCC / Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography at Florida State University.

Advanced Beginner Group is also grateful to the many individuals who have supported the work.