Alto, NM

Alto, in the Ruidoso area of New Mexico, is the address of the Spencer Theater for the Performing Arts. The venue opened on 3 October 1997 with a programme featuring violinist Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, Dave Brubeck and the New Mexico Symphony. Its construction was financed by Dr A. N. Spencer and Jackie Spencer Morgan.

Designed by Antoine Predock, the building combines a glass lobby with stone quarried in Spain and finished in Italy. The auditorium seats 514, with the most distant seat 67 feet from the stage. Glass installations by Dale Chihuly form part of its interior. The theatre presents touring music, drama, dance and family productions, alongside educational activities involving schools in the surrounding region. Its role as a presenting venue brings a varied performing-arts programme to the area north of Ruidoso.