breaking surface
“A thrilling multi-faceted performance of incredible skill and poetic beauty.” — BroadwayWorld.com
Flying, dance-theater
Journey to realms unknown and be led on an acrobatic adventure of childhood delight over a darkly flooded stage.
Presented by 5th Wall Studio, this creation by Gwyneth Larsen & William Mulholland seamlessly blends dynamic physicality and theatrical genres- “defying expectations.”
Take flight, commit to the unknown.
Breaking Surface has original music by XvsK, Trevor Exter, John Kimock and John Oyzon. Go to their websites to get a glimpse of some of their other work- but if you want to hear the music for the show, you’ll have to come see it live!
NOte from the Directors
This show is born out of a passion for flight and a love of live theater. We both adore silent theater and the brilliance of a simple theatrical game. So we started to play. As we played we talked about our relationship with inspiration, how sometimes its so seamless its just there and it feels almost as if its channeling to you from another world, and sometimes no matter how hard you try you cannot hear the voice of your muse.
This is our story. It starts where 2 worlds meet; in the tension of a point of contact just before it is made. In the space between lips before they touch, or the inhale before a story begins. The moment just before you step into the unknown. Once you lift your foot you’re on the journey. Even if you turn to go back something’s already happened, you are changed. The first step is magic, the surface has been broken and you are immersed.
THE COMPANY
5th Wall Studio is a place for creativity and adventure - a place where you can experience intimate performances and out-of-the-box classes unlike any you’ve participated in. We have over 25 years of aerial experience and stunt work performing in theaters, circuses, film and TV across the world. Our style is a unique blend of acrobatic movement, flying dance-theater, martial arts and strength training that flows and continually evolves. We love sharing the techniques we’ve developed and watching people’s spirits soar as their bodies leave the ground. If you’ve ever been curious about aerial acrobatics, join us for a class in Williamsburg and experience the freedom of flight for yourself.
the creators
GWYNETH LARsEN
Gwyneth Larsen is the Co-Creator & Director of Breaking Surface and co-founder of 5th Wall Studio. She is a director, choreographer, performer and passionate collaborator. She began her career with the internationally acclaimed folk music & dance company The Vanaver Caravan & went on to work with De La Guarda, Fuerza Bruta, Cirque Du Soleil Special Events, Bregenz Opera, The Metropolitan Opera and in the stunt industry for numerous productions including: Law and Order SVU, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, The Americans, and as Madonna and Megan Fox’s stunt doubles among others. She was also a founding member of AiRealistic.
She has created work for numerous clients including: Bregenz Opera, Nestle, Red Bull and the critically acclaimed Creation Live at the Crystal Cathedral, where she directed a thirty person aerial cast in heights up to 100 feet above the audience.
She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College with a focus in Greek mythology, modern dance and photography. Her parents, mythologists Drs Stephen & Robin Larsen nurtured in her a profound love of story and myth and a deep respect for nature. In Breaking Surface, she is thrilled to be integrating these foundational beliefs with her physical passions and the mystical world of her youth.
bill mulholland
Bill Mulholland is the Co-Creator & Director of Breaking Surface, the founder of Bridge Acrobatics, & co-founder of AiRealistic and 5th Wall Studio. He has performed at The Metropolitan Opera in multiple productions. Other credits include: De La Guarda, Fuerza Bruta, Cirque Du Soleil, Pilobolus & the Hollywood Stunt industry. He trained as a gymnast at the Olympic Training Center & became a member of the US National Team, an All-American & team captain at the University of Nebraska, where he studied advertising, marketing & dabbled in theater & dance.
He has had the honor of working with a broad variety of high-level gymnasts, circus performers & dancers. In helping these artists blend & expand their skill sets he developed a class series to meld a range of diverse physical techniques & give meaning to the ‘tricks’ done in contemporary movement.
Over the years, Bill has cultivated storytelling through physical expression in many arenas, culminating with Breaking Surface. This show combines theater / dance-acrobatics & flying to create a new voice; one that blends childhood dreams of superpowers with the ability to define ones own reality through deep imagining.
THE CAST
* Member, Actors’ Equity Association
THE CReative production team
Collaborators/Credits
Breaking Surface is a fully collaborative creation. All members of the cast, crew and production team have contributed to all aspects of the production. The creators are eternally grateful to have the honor of working with such generous and talented individuals. Original costumes and paper props by Martina Feichtinger, Female costumes by Sam Brooks and David DW Withrow, Production Stage Manager and additional props by Rachel Radenberg and cast. Technical consultant and Book prop by David Pakenham. Additional Technical consulting by Merlin Larsen. Set design by William Mulholland and Gwyneth Larsen. Original lighting design by Ali Lucas, current design by Elijah Schreiner. Music by Trevor Exter, John Morgan Kimock (both forming the band XVSK) and John Oyzon. Sound Design and music direction by John Morgan Kimock. Producers are Jo Macaldo, Cody Schreger and Rebecca Magazine. Assistant Director Nicki Miller. Special thanks to The Windmill Factory, Brook Notary (original Book ground choreography), Brooke Miyasaki, Aidan O’Shea, Will O’Hare, Evan Montgomery, David Belis, and Alisha Richards.