American Dream Study
A Socially Distant immersive theater Experience
Philmont, NY
Directed by Michael Arden
Written, performed, choreographed, and produced by the Forest of Arden Company
Second Act Choreography by Jeff Kuperman and Eamon Foley
Created during the coronavirus pandemic, this three-act, socially-distanced immersive theater experience came together through video chats, rigorous testing, and finally a strict quarantining of the Company. Based on the dreams that the Company experienced during this strange time, as well as the local Hudson Valley legend of Rip Van Winkle, this devised piece of dance, theatre, and documentary used FM radio and synchronized, smart-phone video broadcast technology. Audiences both walked and drove to different locations over the course of the evening, remaining physically distant from the performers and other audience members, but connected through the experience of live theater.
Photography by Emilio Madrid