Primer for an Impossible Conversation

Co-Created by
Marcella Murray, David Neumann and Tei Blow

With Performances by: 

Marcella Murray, David Neumann and Tei Blow

Primer for an Impossible Conversation

was co-commissioned by MCA Chicago and the Wisconsin Union Theater at the University of Wisconsin-Madison,

and produced by Advanced Beginner Group.

Primer for an Impossible Conversation is a step-by-step non-instruction manual revealing the efforts needed for two people to actually be in the same place at the same time. Primer…emerges from the need to continue this conversation as a creative act, adapting and responding to the Obie Award winning Distances Smaller Than This Are Not Confirmed, a piece made for the stage by Marcella and David which premiered in January, 2020. (You need not have seen Distances prior to Primer.)

As Marcella and David hurtle through space, they are faced not only with the challenge of having a conversation from their prospective experiences (she’s Black, he’s white), but also with the difficulties inherent in connecting over online platforms while quarantined from in-person exchanges during Covid. 

Primer…hopes to engage the community that attends the online event in meaningful efforts towards understanding, while navigating uncharted territories and the well-trod paths, across an unfathomable expanse full of terrors, mysteries, discoveries, and wonder.

CREDITS

Co-creation and performance: Marcella Murray, David Neumann, Tei Blow

Guest appearances: Julius Powell, Hyung Seok Jeon

Technical design and direction: Tei Blow

Assistant Editor: Hyung Seok Jeon

Producer: Boo Froebel

Business Manager: Montana Lampert Hoover

Primer for an Impossible Conversation has been co-commissioned by MCA Chicago and the Wisconsin Union Theater at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with additional major support from the David and Leni Moore Foundation.

Special thanks to Kendall Karg, Tara Aisha Willis, Laura Paige Kyber, Matt Sharp and the MCA Chicago production crew, Chanel Blanchett, Erica Sweany, Montana Lampert Hoover, Melanie George, Murray Family, Montana Blanco; Abrons Arts Center, the Chocolate Factory Theater, Mabou Mines, MassMoCA, Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography, PS21 Chatham, Baryshnikov Arts Center, the Rauschenberg Residency/Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, the SETI Institute (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence), and the Advanced Beginner Group board of directors (Amanda Brandes, Sue Killam, David Neumann, Margo Sweany).

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

To support further development and adaptations of Primer, please click here.

Thank you for your support!