Jacob's Pillow Dance 2009
Full Schedule of Coming Season
By: Ariel Petrova - Jan 31, 2009
Jacob's Pillow Dance, the world-renowned international dance organization and National Historic Landmark in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, announces its 2009 Festival season complete with 50 companies on three stages spanning the multifaceted genres of contemporary dance, tap, hip-hop, flamenco, ballet, dance-theatre, and more. Highlights of this 77th annual season include the world premiere of Orbo Novo, by the one of Europe's most eminent choreographers Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui; the U.S. debut of Fang-Yi Sheu's LAFA & Artists from Taiwan ; a celebration of the legendary Merce Cunningham's 90th birthday; and three U.S. premieres including the whimsical dance-theatre work Des gens qui dansent choreographed by Jean-Claude Gallotta and performed by the French ensemble Groupe Emile Dubois.
The 2009 Festival runs June 20 through August 30, and features more than 110 ticketed events and 200 free events, including performances on three stages, moderated interviews with artists, talks by experts, film showings, exhibits, observations of The School, receptions, tours, and over 75 dance classes for the community including weekly master classes with Doris Duke Theatre artists. The 2009 artists hail from around the world including Grenoble (France), Los Angeles, Málaga (Spain), Maribor (Slovenia), Montréal (Canada), New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Taipei (Taiwan), and Vancouver (Canada). The Festival also includes several exclusive programs and live music, including an all-Ulysses Dove engagement by Pacific Northwest Ballet and an evening of traditional flamenco dance and music with Mujeres; which features some of today's most powerful and provocative female dance artists, direct from Spain .
"The Pillow is an experience like no other for audiences and artists from all over the world. It's a welcoming place, beautiful on stage and off, and gives people a feeling of optimism and vitality," comments Ella Baff , Executive Director. "Visit, escape for the day, and let dance transport you to different countries, perspectives and experiences. There is no admission fee required to enter the grounds and take part in the more than 200 free performances, talks and events that we offer. Especially in these tough economic times, the Pillow remains a place that everyone, regardless of financial status, can enjoy."
"We are thrilled to present such a diverse group of talented, ground-breaking, and important artists this season," Baff adds. "There is truly something for everybody – experimental dance, social commentary, classics, new work, dance that pulls at the heartstrings, dance that inspires and entertains — and everyone is invited to the celebration."
New this year, the Doris Duke Theatre will open on Wednesday evenings, adding one more full performance to each week's schedule. More than thirty additional companies performing on Inside/Out, the Pillow's free outdoor performance space, will be announced in April along with a full schedule of free events, exhibits, pre- and post-show talks, hour-long in-depth lectures and film screenings, classes, guided tours and more.
THE 77TH SEASON PERFORMANCES
Season Opening Gala
Saturday, June 20
The Season Opening Gala is a one-night-only event and a highlight of the Berkshires social season. The evening includes a diverse performance featuring Festival artists Jason Samuels Smith, a tap sensation from Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk; contemporary company Gallim Dance, named one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch" in 2009; and others. The event also includes a world premiere created on the ballet dancers of The School at Jacob's Pillow, a new short film highlighting the Pillow Archives, and the presentation of the 2009 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award, plus dinner, dancing to live music, and a live auction on The Great Lawn. The Season Opening Gala is a benefit event; funds raised support the many programs of Jacob's Pillow, a not-for-profit organization. The Gala is co-chaired by Taryn Leavitt and Hunter Runnette. For tickets and information call 413.243.9919 x24
Mujeres
Ted Shawn Theatre
Wednesday, June 24 – Saturday, June 27, 8pm
Saturday, June 27 – Sunday, June 28, 2pm
SPAIN
This evening of flamenco music and dance was directed by the legendary Mario Maya, who passed away in September 2008. Mujeres stars Belén Maya, daughter of Carmen Mora and Mario Maya and a master in her own right, and RocÃo Molina, a 24-year-old prodigy from Málaga , Spain . These bailaoras have been lauded by critics around the world: The Washington Times states that Molina "sets the stage on fire with a blend of classical and modern movements," and El Informador describes Maya's work as "a portrait that captures an instant of her soul." They are joined by an ensemble of guitarists, percussionists and vocalists for an evening of live music and dance. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber. $10 Saturday and Sunday youth matinée tickets (must be accompanied by an adult).
Radio and Juliet by Ballet Maribor
Ted Shawn Theatre
Wednesday, July 1 – Saturday, July 4, 8pm
Saturday, July 4 – Sunday, July 5, 2pm
Radio and Juliet is a contemporary take on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, choreographed by Romanian dancer Edward Clug, and performed by Slovenia 's Ballet Maribor. The score is comprised of music by Radiohead, two-time Grammy winner and fourteen-time nominee, and one of the most influential alternative English rock bands of the past century. Video effects set the stage for abstract references to classic scenes including Mercutio's death, the wedding, and the Masquerade Ball. Clug, whose movement style is sharp, clear, and highly kinetic, dances in the work along with four other men and one female lead. Radio and Juliet has only been performed once in the U.S. , in October 2008. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber
LAFA & Artists
Doris Duke Theatre
Wednesday, July 1 – Saturday, July 4, 8:15pm
Saturday, July 4, 2:15pm
Sunday, July 5, 5pm
TAIWAN
Fang-Yi Sheu, former star of Martha Graham Dance Company and Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, performs in the U.S. debut of her company, LAFA & Artists. In 2007, Sheu became the youngest recipient of Taiwan 's National Award for the Arts and founded her contemporary company with choreographer and long-time partner Bulareyuang Pagarlava. The program includes two American premieres; 37 Arts, an acrobatic romp of delights and hard times, and another new work currently being created in Taiwan . Pillow audiences will remember Sheu from the 2008 Festival, when she performed a work by Pagarlava as part of David Michalek's Slow Dancing. Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.
Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet
Ted Shawn Theatre
Wednesday, July 8 – Saturday, July 11, 8pm
Saturday, July 11 – Sunday, July 12, 2pm
Choreographed by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui
The dancers of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet, called "extraordinarily gifted" by The New York Post and "superb and versatile performers" by The Village Voice, perform the world premiere of Orbo Novo (New World), choreographed by one of Europe's most in-demand dancemakers, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui. Orbo Novo premieres to a live, original score for piano and strings by Polish composer Szymon Brzóska. Cherkaoui has stated that the title of the work is inspired by what is believed to be the first reference to North America as 'the New World,' in a 1493 letter by Pietro Martire d'Anghiera, an historian of Spain and its Age of Exploration. This premiere engagement takes the place of the company's traditional New York City spring season and is anticipated as "one of the most exciting events of the new season" by Roslyn Sulcas of The New York Times. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber.
Gallim Dance
Doris Duke Theatre
Wednesday, July 8 – Saturday, July 11, 8:15pm
Saturday, July 11, 2:15pm
Sunday, July 12, 5pm
Artistic Director Andrea Miller, former dancer with Ohad Naharin's Ensemble Batsheva, leads with her New York City-based company of fearlessly physical dancers, recently named one of Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch" in 2009. Gallim Dance, known for movement that is witty, theatrical, and explosive, performed on Inside/Out, the Pillow's free outdoor performance space, in 2008. They return to perform Miller's latest work, Blush, set to a score as quirky as her choreography, with music by Manyfingers, Wolf Parade, Radiohead, and Chopin. The New York Times says the work "features a highly physical movement style that buckles torsos and lashes limbs in exhilaratingly illogical fashion." Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.
Groupe Emile Dubois
Ted Shawn Theatre
Wednesday, July 15 – Saturday, July 18, 8pm
Saturday, July 18 – Sunday, July 19, 2pm
FRANCE
Called "a sheer delight to behold" by Le Monde, an endearing crowd of characters cross paths in ways that reveal the joy and anguish of life in Jean-Claude Gallotta's dance-theatre work Des gens qui dansent. Ten dancers of varying ages portray lovers, an old, dying writer, a mother and daughter, two merry baritones and others, performing Gallotta's quirky, idiosyncratic style with a welcoming energy. Gallotta, a dancer, choreographer, performer, filmmaker, author, and playwright, founded Groupe Emile Dubois in 1979. This U.S. premiere, performed to a host of spoken word narratives, will mark the company's first American engagement in nearly two decades. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber. $10 Saturday youth matinée tickets (must be accompanied by an adult).
David Roussève/ REALITY
Doris Duke Theatre
Wednesday, July 15 – Saturday, July 18, 8:15pm
Saturday, July 18, 2:15pm
Sunday, July 19, 5pm
After a ten-year break from choreographing for his own company, award-winning dancemaker, filmmaker, writer, and performer David Roussève makes a triumphant return to the stage with David Roussève/REALITY. His newest work, Saudade, deals with the concept of "bittersweet" in a production that chronicles the story of southern African-Americans to the sound of Portuguese blues, fado. A multicultural cast illuminates a mosaic of movement, video effects, and monologues, performed by Roussève himself, spanning from slavery to Hurricane Katrina. Traditional dance forms from Indonesia , West Africa, and India merge with contemporary techniques in this new work, which premieres in February 2009. Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.
Merce Cunningham Dance Company
Ted Shawn Theatre
Wednesday, July 22 – Saturday, July 25, 8pm
Saturday, July 25 – Sunday, July 26, 2pm
Widely recognized as the world's greatest living choreographer, Merce Cunningham's accolades range from countless honorary doctorates to the Praemium Imperiale in Tokyo (2005), the National Medal of Arts (1990), and Kennedy Center Honors (1985). Jacob's Pillow celebrates his 90th birthday and a relationship that began with the company's first Pillow performances in 1955. His revolutionary approach to space, time, music, and technology is honored with a retrospective of masterworks. The program includes Sounddance (1975), described by Cunningham as "space observed under a microscope," CRWDSPCR (1993) a work of constant motion, and eyeSpace (2006) which invites audiences to listen to individualized scores, using provided iPod Shuffles. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber. $10 Sunday youth matinée tickets (must be accompanied by an adult).
Jason Samuels Smith and A.C.G.I. (Anybody Can Get It)
Doris Duke Theatre
Wednesday, July 22 – Saturday, July 25, and Wednesday, July 29 – Saturday, August 1, 8:15pm
Saturdays, July 25 and August 1, 2:15pm
Sundays, July 26 and August 2, 5pm
A tap prodigy, Jason Samuels Smith was 15 years old when he was cast as Savion Glover's understudy and a principal dancer in Broadway's Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk. He has since gone on to become an Emmy and American Choreography Award-winner, television and feature film performer, director, and choreographer, and also is widely known for appearing as a featured guest artist on the FOX television show So You Think You Can Dance. After performing as an original member of Glover's Not Your Ordinary Tappers, he formed his own company of experienced tap soloists, A.C.G.I. (Anybody Can Get It). This two-week engagement pays homage to the history of tap while also experimenting in contemporary styles, and every performance features live music. Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber. $10 Sunday youth matinée tickets for July 26 only (must be accompanied by an adult)
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13th Annual Community Day
Sunday, July 26, 10am – 1pm
The Pillow transforms into a dance party for all ages with free, family-friendly programming during its annual Community Day (rain or shine). Everyone is welcome to attend free performances, dance workshops, arts and crafts activities, book readings for children, game, and more. Community Day is free and open to the public.
Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal
Ted Shawn Theatre
Wednesday, July 29 – Saturday, August 1, 8pm
Saturday, August 1 – Sunday, August 2, 2pm
CANADA
Last seen at the Pillow in 2005, Canadian contemporary ballet company Les Grands Ballets Canadiens de Montréal recently celebrated its 50th anniversary and is known for its diverse, adventurous repertoire and collaborations with top choreographers including Ji?à Kylián, Mats Ek, Nacho Duato, and Ohad Naharin. Under the direction of Gradimir Pankov, the company performs two very different works, both by Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti. Four Seasons is set to Vivaldi's classic score of the same name, and Cantata pays homage to Mediterranean culture and tradition with original and folk music from Southern Italy . Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber.
Rennie Harris Puremovement
Ted Shawn Theatre
Wednesday, August 5 – Saturday, August 8, 8pm
Saturday, August 8 – Sunday, August 9, 2pm
After directing the Cultural Traditions program at The School at Jacob's Pillow (June 29 – July 12), international hip-hop ambassador Rennie Harris returns to perform as part of the Festival. Harris, lauded by The New York Times as "a central figure in hip-hop," and the dancers of Puremovement have a singular style, combining a variety of genres including popping, locking, electric boogaloo, and more. They perform signature works such as Students of the Asphalt Jungle, Continuum, Breath, and March of the Antmen to a medley of original and mixed music, including live bucket drumming. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber.
Jacinta Vlach/ Liberation Dance Theater
Doris Duke Theatre
Wednesday, August 5 – Saturday, August 8, 8:15pm
Saturday, August 8, 2:15pm
Sunday, August 9, 5pm
Provocative territory and powerful dancing are the signatures of San Francisco-based Liberation Dance Theater. Jacinta Vlach, a former dancer with nathantrice/ RITUALS, Robert Moses' Kin Dance Company, and Philadanco, merges modern dance and urban movement styles in her choreographic commentaries on race, culture and identity. This powerful program includes Abjection in America, set to a score of Latin fusion music and audio excerpts from comedians Richard Pryor and John Leguizamo. Other works to be announced. (contains strong language) Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.
Doug Varone and Dancers
Ted Shawn Theatre
Wednesday, August 12 – Saturday, August 15, 8pm
Saturday, August 15 – Sunday, August 16, 2pm
New York choreographer Doug Varone is acclaimed for intelligent and lushly kinetic movement that appeals to both the mind and the heart. He has received numerous honors throughout his career, including two New York Dance and Performance (Bessie) Awards for Sustained Achievement in Choreography, and for his 2006 work Boats Leaving. A veteran of the José Limón and Lar Lubovitch companies, Varone founded his own company in 1986. They perform a varied program including Lux, set to Philip Glass' The Light, and described by The Washington Post as "the kind of dancing I might dream about, loose and sweeping in a spirit of exultation." Other works to be announced. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student and child, $52 subscriber.
Rubberbandance Group
Doris Duke Theatre
Wednesday, August 12 – Saturday, August 15, 8:15pm
Saturday, August 15, 2:15pm
Sunday, August 16, 5pm
CANADA
In dancer/choreographer Victor Quijada's newest work, Punto Ciego (Blind Spot), Rubberbandance takes movement to new heights in a work filled with ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, spoken word, and video. The company interacts with audiences through multimedia technology and subtle storytelling, drawing them into a humorous, poignant world of six characters that break boundaries, mix realities and entertain. Rubberbandance, founded in 2002 and led by Quijada and co-artistic director Anne Plamondon, has toured throughout Europe, North America, and Japan , and last performed at the Pillow in 2006. Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.
Pacific Northwest Ballet
Ted Shawn Theatre
Wednesday, August 19 – Saturday, August 22, 8pm
Saturday, August 22 – Sunday, August 23, 2pm
The work of the late Ulysses Dove, a former member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, seamlessly combines speed and attack with daring sensuality, emotional strength, and power. In this exclusive Pillow engagement, the dancers of Pacific Northwest Ballet, under the direction of Peter Boal, perform an all-Dove program of Vespers to Mikel Rouse's percussive score; Red Angels, which featured Boal in the original New York City Ballet cast; and Dancing on the Front Porch of Heaven with music by Arvo Pärt. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student, child, $52 subscriber. $10 Sunday youth matinée tickets for August 22 only (must be accompanied by an adult)
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Kidd Pivot
Doris Duke Theatre
Wednesday, August 19 – Saturday, August 22, 8:15pm
Saturday, August 15, 2:15pm
Sunday, August 23, 5pm
CANADA
Crystal Pite, international choreographer and artistic director of Vancouver-based Kidd Pivot, explores movement to the fullest in her evening-length work Lost Action. A former dancer with the Frankfurt Ballet under the direction of William Forsythe, Pite's wit, rigor and ultra-kinetic approach interact with a diverse soundscape by longtime collaborator Owen Belton and features everything from choral melody to ukulele and spoken word. This physical analysis of dance and the ephemeral body becomes a metaphor for life and loss. Pite will perform with her company, a rare occurrence. Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.
A Jazz Happening
Sunday, August 23, 8 pm
Benefit Event for The School at Jacob's Pillow
This one-night-only event features dancers of the Jazz/Musical Theatre Dance program, performing alongside Broadway stars after three weeks of intense study and preparation at The School at Jacob's Pillow. Directed by Broadway's Chet Walker, A Jazz Happening includes original choreography by the Jazz/Musical Theatre Dance artist faculty and live music by an onstage jazz band. Former guest performers have included Donna McKechnie, Andrea McArdle, Stephen Bogardus, and Terri Klausner, and this season's event will feature an all-new program and cast. Proceeds benefit The School at Jacob's Pillow; $100 level tickets include a reception with the performers. Tickets $100 and $60.
Ballet Hispanico
Ted Shawn Theatre
Wednesday, August 26 – Saturday, August 29, 8pm
Saturday, August 29 – Sunday, August 30, 2pm
According to The New York Times, "the Latin-American experience at last has a voice in the feisty, elegant dancing of Ballet Hispanico." Since 1970, this company has fused Latin, classical ballet and modern dance, creating a style all its own. This engagement will honor Tina Ramirez, who steps down as artistic director this year and first performed at the Pillow as a teenager in 1948. The program includes excerpts from Club Havana, in which the rhythms of the Rumba, Mambo, and Cha Cha are brought to life by Cuban choreographer, and former Ballet Hispanico dancer, Pedro Ruiz. Tickets $58 adult, $53 senior, student, child, $52 subscriber.
Doug Elkins and Friends' Fräulein Maria
Doris Duke Theatre
Wednesday, August 26 – Saturday, August 29, 8:15pm
Saturday, August 29, 2:15pm
Sunday, August 30, 5pm
The New Yorker calls Doug Elkins and Friends' Fräulein Maria "a jewel of choreographic invention and comic subtlety" and The New York Times hails it as "ceaselessly brilliant and often hilarious." This rollicking, deconstructed version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's The Sound of Music has been lauded by critics and audiences alike through numerous sold-out runs in New York City . Vaudeville gags, astute references to the choreography of Martha Graham, José Limón and others, and a multitude of social dance moves are set to the original film soundtrack, enveloping audiences in Elkins' imagination. Tickets $33 adult, $30 senior, student, child, $29 subscriber.
Ticketing Information
Subscriptions: Jacob's Pillow subscribers receive early ordering and renewal privileges, free ticket exchange (up to 48 hour prior to performance) and ticket discounts. Two subscription options include: Full Season Subscriptions, in which subscribers purchase tickets to all ten Ted Shawn Theatre performances or all eight Doris Duke Theatre performances, and Flex 5+ Subscriptions, in which subscribers create their own schedule choosing five or more performances, any day, any time. New this year, subscription orders can be submitted online at www.jacobspillow.org. Jacob's Pillow Members receive earliest ordering privileges as Member subscription orders are processed before Non-Member subscription orders. Memberships are available at any time, starting at $60/year. All orders are accepted via mail, and fax, beginning January 30. Box Office phone ordering and walk-up windows open March 2; Monday-Friday, 10am - 5pm, with additional hours during the Festival. Box Office: 413.243.0745 (phone) or 413.243.0749 (fax). For complete ticket policies, visit www.jacobspillow.org.
Single Tickets: Jacob's Pillow Member single ticketing begins March 25. Single ticket ordering opens to the public on April 8. Specially priced $10 youth matinée tickets (recommended for children ages 8 – 16) are available for certain weekend matinees of Groupe Emile Dubois, Jason Samuels Smith and A.C.G.I. (Anybody Can Get It), Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Mujeres, and Pacific Northwest Ballet. Box Office phone ordering open March 2; Monday-Friday, 10am - 5pm, with additional hours during the Festival. Box Office: 413.243.0745 (phone) or 413.243.0749 (fax). For complete ticket policies, visit www.jacobspillow.org.
Free Public Programs
Inside/Out: In addition to the more than 110 ticketed performances it presents each year, Jacob's Pillow offers many other free activities and opportunities to enjoy dance. Of the more than 50 dance companies to be presented at Jacob's Pillow in 2009, more than half can be seen performing on the Inside/Out, a unique outdoor performance space nestled in the bucolic hills of the Berkshires, for free. The Inside/Out series includes presentations of emerging dance companies, artists from all over the world, and informal showings by the professional-track students of The School at Jacob's Pillow, Wednesdays through Saturdays during the season. Schedule will be announced in April; visit www.jacobspillow.org for additional information.
Exhibits and Archives: Annual exhibits in four venues throughout the Pillow's National Historic Landmark grounds display photographs, video, artifacts and other engaging visual material that enrich the visitor's experience of dance. The Archives, documenting dance and Pillow history from 1894 to the present, welcome both the general public and artistic and scholarly researchers to view videos of recent performances or historic films from years past, and browse dance or related art and history books. Two interactive touch screen kiosks, one in the Archives and another in the Welcome Center , offer video clips, photos, and information spanning the Festival's history. The full resources of the Archives are available to the public free of charge on a drop-in basis Tuesdays through Sundays, from noon until final curtain.
Talks: More than 140 enlightening and informative talks range from in-depth hour-long PillowTalks, to brief Pre-Show Talks which introduce audiences to the performance they are about to attend, and Post-Show Talks with the artists just after they step offstage. All talks are free and open to the public. PillowTalks take place in Blake's Barn, Wednesdays 5pm and Saturdays 4pm, providing varied opportunities to gain insight from dancers, choreographers, musicians, filmmakers, visual designers, historians, and other experts. Pre-Show Talks are given by Pillow Scholars-in-Residence and take place 30 minutes before every performance in Blake's Barn and on the Doris Duke Theatre porch. Post-Show Talks are moderated discussions with Scholars-in Residence and dancers/artistic personnel and take place following the performances on Thursdays in the Ted Shawn Theatre and Fridays in the Doris Duke Theatre.
Tours, Classes, Observations, and More: During the season, free guided tours of the 163-acre campus leave from the Welcome Center every Friday and Saturday at 5:30pm, and patrons can pick up a self-guided tour map anytime to explore the grounds on their own. Ted Shawn hosted the first Jacob's Pillow patrons in the historic Tea Garden, adjoining the studio where his Men Dancers performed. The Tea Garden still welcomes visitors today; they can enjoy seasonal plantings and watch artist rehearsals through the doors of the adjacent Bakalar Studio. Patrons are also welcome to visit The School at Jacob's Pillow and observe renowned artist faculty working with emerging professional dancers, either on a drop-in basis or pre-arranged for groups larger than four. Dance, Pilates and yoga classes are offered to the public Mondays – Fridays at 8am and are open to all experience levels (modest class fee required). Master classes with artists of the Doris Duke Theatre are offered every Sunday at 10:30am for intermediate to advanced dancers (modest class fee required). Master classes are also open for public observation, without charge. For Community Class information call 413.243.9919.
Dining: Jacob's Pillow offers many dining options including the Pillow Café, a full-service open air restaurant on The Great Lawn; the Pillow Pub, offering casual fare, ready-to-go picnics, and a full bar; and the Coffee & Ice Cream Bar. Many visitors will bring a picnic lunch or dinner from home and dine on The Great Lawn or while taking in a performance on the Inside/Out stage.
The Pillow Store: Visitors can shop onsite for logo items, clothes, gifts, books, and music; all proceeds benefit Jacob's Pillow.
About Jacob's Pillow: Founded by dance legend Ted Shawn in 1933, Jacob's Pillow celebrates its 77th season in 2009. The Pillow is home to a world-renowned international dance Festival that presents dance annually on three performance stages for nearly three months. The Pillow also supports artists to create new work through commissions and Creative Development Residencies. The School at Jacob's Pillow encompasses a professional advancement program for dancers and choreographers as well as an Intern Program that trains young professionals in all areas of production and arts administration. Alumni of The School have gone on to perform with prestigious dance companies, in film, television and on Broadway, and former interns have been employed at arts organizations including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, British Council, and Mark Morris Dance Group. The Pillow's rare and extensive Archives, open year-round to the public free of charge, chronicles the art form of dance in film, video, photographs, oral histories, correspondence, books, costumes, posters, audiotapes, and scrapbooks. Jacob's Pillow's year-round Community Programs enrich the lives of children and adults, and are yet another part of the Pillow's cultural legacy. Jacob's Pillow is the first and only dance entity in the United States to be declared a National Historic Landmark for the significance of its contribution to America 's culture—past and present. The Pillow's 163-acre site was originally a family farm in the late 1700s. In the 1800s, the Pillow was known as a station on the Underground Railroad and in 2007, it was dedicated as a site on the Upper Housatonic Valley African American Heritage Trail. For additional in-depth info rmation regarding the history of Jacob's Pillow, consult www.jacobspillow.org
Support for Jacob's Pillow Dance comes, in part, from the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency. As of December 2008, major support for Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival has been provided by: The American-Scandinavian Foundation; Asian Cultural Council; Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation; The Dana Foundation; Danish Arts Agency; The Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation; Frances Alexander Foundation; The Howard Gilman Foundation; The Harkness Foundation for Dance; The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation; The Leir Charitable Foundations, in Memory of Henry J. Leir; The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; Mertz Gilmore Foundation; National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts; Evelyn Stefansson Nef Foundation; Netherland-America Foundation; New England Foundation for the Arts; The New York Community Trust—Wallace Special Projects Fund; The William J. and Dorothy K. O'Neill Foundation; Bessie Pappas Charitable Foundation; Pittsfield Cultural Council; The Prospect Hill Foundation; The Jerome Robbins Foundation; The Neal Rantoul Foundation; Arch W. Shaw Foundation; The Shubert Foundation, Inc.; Xeric Foundation; Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency; MassDevelopment; Massachusetts Office of Travel and Tourism; National Endowment for the Arts; United States Department of Education; ALEX®; Ameriprise Financial; Big Y World Class Market; Capezio/Ballet Makers Dance Foundation; Enterprise Rent-A-Car Foundation; Greylock Federal Credit Union; The Legacy Banks Foundation; Pilgrim Inn; Quality Inn; Rodeway Inn; Super 8 Motel Lee; The Pillow Business Alliance; and Jacob's Pillow Members.
The Pillow is proud to be part of the "Leading for the Future Initiative", a program of the Nonprofit Finance Fund, funded by the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation. Major endowment support is provided by The Barrington Foundation; The William Randolph Hearst Foundation; The Leir Charitable Foundations, in Memory of Henry J. Leir; Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency; The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation; Onota Foundation; The Prospect Hill Foundation; and the Talented Students in the Arts Initiative, a collaboration of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Surdna Foundation.