Q&A with Ashleigh Musk: Unearthing the Depths of SUB

Q: Ashleigh, can you tell us about your background and how you became involved with GUTS Dance?

Ashleigh: I’m a dancer, choreographer, dramaturg and community arts facilitator based in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). I’m originally from Meanjin (Brisbane) and started dancing at a very young age. After spending a long time overseas studying and working as a dancer in the UK and Spain, I moved back to so-called Australia in 2018 – which is when I connected with Frankie Snowdon and Madeleine Krenek, the founders of GUTS Dance. After working on a few projects with them, I decided to move to Mparntwe (Alice Springs) in 2020 and base myself in this remote location. My practice has really evolved since living remotely – while there are challenges, there is also an incredible sense of community, space and time which has really influenced my work. GUTS Dance is an incredible platform for artistic growth and exploration, being the only contemporary dance hub in Central Australia within a 1500km radius, which allows us to champion regional art and engage deeply with our community.

Q: How would you describe your choreographic approach and influences?

Ashleigh: My work engages with sensitive interactions between the body and the landscape. I aim to re-imagine the body in relation to the ecological crises of our time, exploring our co-existence with the more-than-human world. I focus on radical care, using time, participation, and objects to create unique sensorial ecosystems.

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  SUB by Ashleigh Musk. Image by Ivan Trigo Miras.

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  SUB by Ashleigh Musk. Image by Ivan Trigo Miras.

Q: What inspired the creation of SUB?

Ashleigh: SUB emerged from an ongoing fascination with futuring and exploring scenarios where our planet becomes uninhabitable. I was thinking a lot about how we prepare for our future, what we might want to take forward into the future – and if the underground space could be a place where we could burrow in order to survive. I think a lot of us can feel immobilised by the climate crises, and making this work, for me, was an attempt to unpack these feelings of dread, and search for a way to find hope.

Throughout the creative process we were really confronted by the contradictions and challenges of living underground, of co-existing with what is already in the underground space, of exploring mining, volcanoes, soil, caves, burial and disposal. The work is about seeking shelter in a world in crises and finding hope amidst the chaos.

Q: What can audiences can expect from SUB?

Ashleigh: SUB transports audiences into an underground world. The performance blends the body’s movement with objects and live soundscapes, creating a dynamic and ever-evolving narrative. The audio, designed by Anna Whitaker, incorporates found sounds from bunkers, caves, and tunnels, mixed with electronic compositions, as well as live recordings which she incorporates into the show. Each performance is unique, with improvisation playing a key role that allows the show to adapt to the performers’ emotional states and the audience’s energy.

Q: What is unique about working in a regional centre?

Ashleigh: Working in a regional setting presents unique challenges, such as limited resources and distance from major arts hubs. However, it also offers incredible opportunities for artistic freedom and community engagement. At GUTS Dance, we believe in the decentralisation of artistic economies and the elevation of regional art. We’re making high-quality work that reflects our environment and engages with a wide range of audiences. Regional places are wonderful, and people are really interested in engaging in conversations about the work you’re making. It feels tangible, you can really see the impact your work can have.

Q: What do you hope audiences take away from experiencing SUB?

Ashleigh: I hope audiences leave with an awareness of our relationship with the natural world and the urgency of the ecological crises we face. SUB is about finding hope and connection in the face of despair. It’s a call to engage with the complexities of our environment and embrace the possibilities of a future where we coexist with the earth.

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