Behind the Curtain: An Interview with Lead Artist Sarah Clarke on “Celestia

Celestia explores themes of beauty, eternity, and the unknown. What does dancing this piece evoke in you personally?

Dancing in Celestia has been a peaceful and expanding experience for me. The choreography stretches beyond the stage, capturing the essence of the unknown in a vibrant yet grounded way. There's a deliberate sense of space, as if the movements are reaching into something greater, while still maintaining a sense of calm and connection to the present moment.

The choreography plays with lightness and suspension — how do you embody that ethereal quality in your movement?

I've found that incorporating moments of stillness within each movement helps to create a sense of strength, confidence, and fullness. Constant motion can sometimes feel aimless, but just like stars, which are always moving yet direct and clear in their path, my movements are purposeful. They don't apologize for being exactly where they are, they simply exist with intention.

Have you had any moments in rehearsal that felt spiritually significant or emotionally transcendent?

Like I mentioned earlier, there’s a profound sense of clarity in simply being. It’s about embracing my existence without apology and knowing deep in my heart that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be, doing what the Lord has chosen me for. Those moments in rehearsal feel significant because they remind me of my true purpose and where my true identity lies: I am a child of the one true God, who loves me more than the stars.

If Celestia were a prayer or a question to the heavens, what would it be?

Psalm 19: 1 “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”