In Her Bones

by Jessica Kahkoska

When an unexpected blizzard forces Berkeley freshman Mia to wait out the storm at a rural highway gas station/ general store/ laundromat/ tow shop in Southern Colorado, she’s forced to confront a past that she is both fleeing and seeking out. As she shares family memories with store owner Moises to pass the time, another world creeps in-- one of shadows, forgotten prayers, and secrets hiding right in plain sight...

When an unexpected blizzard forces Berkeley freshman Mia to wait out the storm at a rural highway gas station/ general store/ laundromat/ tow shop in Southern Colorado, she’s forced to confront a past that she is both fleeing and seeking out. As she shares family memories with store owner Moises to pass the time, another world creeps in-- one of shadows, forgotten prayers, and secrets hiding right in plain sight.

In Her Bones explores the complicated legacy of crypto-Judaism in the Southwest, illuminating an unlikely, alpine tale of secrecy, faith, fear and how we pass on culture when written records are too dangerous to keep. Driven by a community-engaged, Colorado-based research process, this piece explores if our identities and rituals rise from earth and mountains where we spend our days, are inherited in the ancient stories of our blood, or are learned in the motions of mothers at sunset and overheard songs of grandparents.

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In Her Bones

Development History

  • Type Reading, Organization Colorado New Play Summit, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Year 2020
  • Type Reading, Organization "Powered By Off-Center Residency, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Year 2019
  • Type Residency, Organization Writer-in-Residence, Southern Colorado Repertory Theatre , Year 2019
  • Type Reading, Organization Marsico Visiting Scholar in the Arts and Humanities, Denver University, Year 2019