This fall at Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces we will be welcoming professional artists into our studios to create new or expand on existing work for young audiences. Each artist will have multiple opportunities to showcase work in progress in our small stage theatre and receive feedback from invited young audiences and a cohort of industry professionals.

Nayana Fielkov is a critically acclaimed performing artist dedicated to the work of play. She is based on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples–Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish), Stó:lō and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) and xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) Nations. Beginning with scripted plays and musicals over two decades ago, she evolved through the creation and wearing of masks, into the worlds of clown and devised theatre.

Nayana has performed at recognized festivals and venues across the nation with her genre-bending approach to theatre. She is co creator of multi-award winning RAGMOP Theatre, Habitats, Underbelly and The Myrtle Sisters. She brings together the mediums of clown, dance, mask, and physical comedy. Along with her touring duo and solo shows, she creates ensemble work, roving acts, hosting characters, variety acts, and is an active and founding member of the Dusty Flowerpot Cabaret. She teaches contact dance and clown internationally and has facilitated youth in theatre creation for many events including The International Children’s Festival. Nayana is also a maker of puppets, clothing, costumes, and is a proud mother of a thirteen-year-old boy.

During Nayana’s residency she will be developing a new youth theatre performance piece called The Magic of Intuition that she is creating for students in grades K-7 that uses the engaging and familiar format of a magic show to captivate and inspire children, catalyzing the development of key skills such as intuition, self-compassion, and mindfulness.

This program has been made possible thanks for funding by the Province of British Columbia, BC Arts Council, and the City of New Westminster.