India Sky Davis
www.indiaskydavis.com
My work has benefitted immensely from being in residence at the Penasco Theatre. I have held residencies in the space several times now, and it always serves as a refuge where I can dig deep into my creative work, tend to whatever it is that I am needing to, and have the time and space to grow my projects. I have used the theater to create new solo and collaborative works that have gone on to be toured statewide and internationally. As an Aerialist, Acrobat and Dancer, being in a space that is equipped to support aerial and acrobatic dance is essential. Having access to the the space 24 hours a day is incredible. I can train at any hour of the day and night, rehearsals can go as long as they need to, and I can also take breaks when I need to, go outside, go for a hike, explore beautiful Northern New Mexico, and return to the theater to work. And this is important – spending time in the beautiful high desert landscape that the theater is surrounded by is inspiring and refreshing to say the least. The mountains, arroyos, vast blue skies, lightning storms, rivers, lake, become creative forces and guides when I am in residency at the Theater. My work always becomes inspired by the landscape, choreography inspired by canyons, costumes inspired by the colors I am surrounded by.
The space has also served as a place where I can reset, and plan for the year ahead. I always spend a good amount of time mapping out my creative trajectory and goals, and researching and applying for funding and training programs when I am at the Theater. This is incredibly valuable – spending one to two weeks doing this work at the theater has greatly impacted 9 months worth of projects. Because there is very little distraction at the Theater, it’s a great place to get very clear about what it is I am wanting to create, developing stories, and doing deep research into whatever I am inspired by.
I would highly recommend the Penasco Theater residency to creatives looking for a space to reset and generate work. I already have. Everyone I have ever brought has fallen in love with the space, with Alessandra and Rebekah and returned on their own. The Theater has become a home to me, one that is always welcoming, and where I always have as much space as I need to be wherever I am at in my creative process. I look forward to returning and creating more work there in the future.
