Higher Than a Body:
A memory set to music

August 7-8, 2026 – 7pm
written and performed by Neil Totton

wild project’s 2026 Mikéah Jennings Artist-in-Residence

This work-in-progress presentation of Higher Than A Body is a solo performance with original music by multidisciplinary performing artist Neil Totton. Set in May 2020 during the global pandemic within the walls of a NYC apartment, where “BJ the Color Intuitive’s” desire to use his supernatural gifts to grow rich is challenged. Higher Than A Body is packed with humor, sass, and introspection, inviting audiences into a memory set to music.

Neil Totton

Neil Totton is a multidisciplinary video, music, and theater artist who creates highly-energetic ritualistic performances grounded in sensibilities that speak to the issues of our times. His recent works, including Fit for Love: A Mixtape Ritual, Fit for Freedom: A Juneteenth Aerobic Concert, Wait For Today, Trouble Of The World, The Fit Prince of New York, Becoming Relevant, and Slave For Love have been developed or performed at TheaterLab, Brooklyn Comedy Collective, The Evolution Festival, Denton Black Film Festival, The Social Distancing Festival sponsored by the General Consulate of Canada, JCC Harlem, New World Stages, Lululemon Hub 17, The inHEIRtence Project, The GloveboXX Collective and Easton Mountain Music Festival. 
In 2025, he originated a leading role in We The Messiah, a hip-hop remix of Handel’s Messiah by Darian Dauchan and has been featured in the  musicals Hairspray (Seaweed), A Chorus Line (Richie), and The Color Purple (Bobby/Guard). He has danced as a guest artist with the Ballet Black in London UK, Walkerdance in New York, and Arthur Aviles BAAD Dance Theater. He has choreographed for the Sing Harlem Gospel Choir and has served as assistant choreographer for the North American and International Tours of “Aida” and “Jazz A’La Carte” at the Apollo Theatre in Harlem. 

He has appeared in the New York Times, Men’s Journal, and was selected as one of New York Magazine’s Top 10 Trainers for his work in the fitness industry. He has studied at HB Studios, Steps on Broadway, the William Esper Studio, Gotham’s Writers Workshop, the International Center of Photography, and the Electronic Music Collective. His EP Movin’ On is currently streaming on music platforms and he is humbled to be the Mikéah Jennings Artist-in-Residence.

Creative Team

Neil Totton – Writer, Performer, Composer, Choreographer
Tammie Swopes – Director, Creative Doula
Mary Morgan Collier – Assistant Director, Dramaturg, Marketing/Promotion Graphics
Claire Talbott – Video Projections
Jennifer Leno – Lighting Designer
Ana Mari de Quesada – Producing Artistic Director
Linsey Botswick – Artist-in-Residence Supervisor, wild project Board Member

Scroll to Top