2022 marks the 90th Anniversary for the Jacob’s Pillow International Dance Festival, founded in 1931 by modern dance pioneer Ted Shawn. The Festival runs from June 22 through August 28, 2022 and features onsite performances, virtual events, daily classes, master classes, community programs, and more. At least 15 dance performances are scheduled to appear in the Ted Shawn Theatre, on the Henry J. Leir Stage, in the Festival Tent, or somewhere on the Pillow’s grounds. Among this list of well-known companies are two California based companies, BODYTRAFFIC (Los Angeles) and Alonzo King Lines Ballet (San Francisco). Ticket Pre-Sale for Jacob’s Pillow Members begins Monday, March 7. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, April 6.
Jacob’s Pillow is the longest-running dance festival in the United States and has long been a career changing experience for dancers, performers, and choreographers alike. Many dancers who have attended the Festival have been selected by professional companies to join their group or they have been inspired to move to New York and elsewhere to continue studying with a particular teacher/choreographer. A few who were inspired by Ted Shawn and/or his wife Ruth St. Denis and became the next generation of legendary dance pioneers include: Martha Graham, Charles Weidman, Doris Humphrey, and Jack Cole.
San Francisco Ballet in Alonzo King’s “The Collective Agreement” – Photo by Erik Tomasson.
Each summer aspiring dancers come in contact with a long list of prominent choreographers, artistic directors, educators, performers, dance leaders, and more. As the years progress, some of these attendees later become the dance artists who influence and/or change the future of dance. “Each year they return as artistic directors, choreographers, performers, artist faculty, and community project leaders; 42 did so during Festival 2021”. – Jacob’s Pillow website.
BODYTRAFFIC in “o2Joy” choreographed by Richard Siegal – Photo by Christopher Duggan
The full list of ticketed performances include:
America (NA) To Me – Ted Shawn Theatre – June 22-26
Ronald K. Brown/Evidence – Ted Shawn Theatre – June 29-July 3
BODYTRAFFIC – Henry J. Leir Stage – June 29-July 3
SW!NG OUT – Ted Shawn Theatre – July 6-10
A.I.M By Kyle Abraham – Ted Shawn Theatre – July 13-17
Limón Dance Company – Ted Shawn Theatre – July 20-24
Music From the Sole – Henry J. Leir Stage – July 20-24
Black Grace (Based in New Zealand) – Ted Shawn Theatre – July 27-31
Dichotomous Being: An Evening of Taylor Stanley – Henry J. Leir Stage – July 27-31
Michelle N. Gibson with The New Orleans Jazz Orchestra/Nojo 7 – Pillow Grounds – July 29-30
Alonzo King Lines Ballet – Ted Shawn Theatre – August 3-7
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago – Ted Shawn Theatre – August 10-14
Dance Heginbotham – Henry J. Leir Stage – August 10-14
Liz Lerman – Festival Tent – August 10-13
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble – Ted Shawn Theatre – August 17-21
Miami City Ballet – Ted Shawn Theatre – August 24-28
To read more information on each company, please click HERE.
Ticket Pre-Sale for Jacob’s Pillow Members begins Monday, March 7. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, April 6.
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Other 2022 Programs | At the Pillow
Contemporary Ballet | June 13–26
Program Directors Annabelle Lopez Ochoa & Luis R. Torres
Contemporary | June 27 – July 17
Program Director Milton Myers
Musical Theatre | July 18 – August 7
Creative Team led by Choreographer/Director Jeffrey Page
Dance Theatre: Afro-Latin Immersion | August 8–21
Creative Team led by Choreographer/Director Maria Torres
The Ann & Weston Hicks
Choreography Fellows Program | August 24 – September 3
Program Directors Dianne McIntyre & Risa Steinberg
Sign up to receive more information and updates about The School at Jacob’s Pillow HERE.
Adji Cissoko and Robb Beresford in LIGHTENED – Alonzo King LINES Ballet – Photo by RJ Muna
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Program Application Deadline February 25, 2022. Jacob’s Pillow Scholarship Awards are available to make your participation possible; apply within the Program Application.
This summer is all vaccinated, all masked.
Visit jacobspillow.org/health for details.
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Links to other related information and/or programs:
Planning your visit: https://www.jacobspillow.org/visit/
Programs for community: https://www.jacobspillow.org/programs/community/
Programs for artists: https://www.jacobspillow.org/programs/opportunities-for-artists/
To apply: https://www.jacobspillow.org/school/
To learn more about the Jacobs Pillow International Dance Festival, please visit their WEBSITE
Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle from information on the Jacob’s Pillow website.
Featured image: BODYTRAFFIC – Photo by Lee Gumbs.
