THE ABSOLUTE FUTURE

Raja Feather Kelly’s dance-theatre-media company, the feath3r theory (TF3T), premiered “The
Absolute Future” at NYU Skirball Stage. The full title of the piece is “Death, Loneliness, and The Absolute
Future of the Multiverse, or How to Cover the Sun with Mud”. This work delves into these
themes amidst a narrative following disconnected friends attempting to witness the eclipse.
Chaos ensues, mirrored in the choreography, dialogue, and unexpected use of animal masks,
climaxing in an eclipse replica rave through dynamic set design and insane lighting by Tuçe
Yasak.

It starts subtly, with the cast casually taking the stage before plunging the
audience into the Absolute Future. As seven performers navigate their relationships, they
confront contemporary societal issues through monologues, from social media to political events
and cultural movements.

Each characters’ pedestrian-style dancing underscores the focus on dialogue, highlighting their
constant bickering leading up to the eclipse. Amidst the tension, the choreography cleverly
depicts simultaneous scenes happening at once, reflecting the characters’ ongoing and constant
drama.

The most exciting, mind-twisting, climax of the piece lies in the eclipse when the fight has built up to
its absolute peak, and just as the first hit goes, the eclipse begins. A black orb descends from above the stage, and while the characters were fighting, haze was filling the air. A stage light
directly hits behind the orb, and the unobstructed light that reaches the audience resembles
none other than a solar eclipse.

A haze only adds to the effect, the lingering illusion of sunrays reaching out towards the audience, the only calm presence on stage in these moments. Below this imagery, the only light is blaring side lighting, cutting in and out, creating a stop motion effect on the performers. They are engaging in what can only be described as a dilated mosh pit. Running, swirling, fighting, screaming. It is chaotic and the lighting puts audience members into a trance.

This skirmish concludes when the eclipse does. The characters seem to come out of a daze
post-disarray. After all is left on the stage, the movers leave and then return. They sit upon the
apron, and time has traveled years into the future, the characters taking on a more philosophical
standpoint. Older, and more sophisticated, they discuss similar themes, but with much less
chaos and angst. The audience is left with a peaceful surrender to nature.”The Absolute Future” offers a whirlwind journey through friendship, conflict, and ultimately, a profound connection to the cosmic forces shaping our lives.

EYE ON THE ARTS, NY — Emma Edy Morris