Jacob’s Pillow Welcomes New Director Pamela Tatge

Dimensions Dance Theatre of Miami; photo Christopher Duggan

By Barbara Malinsky

“Take me out of this dull world for I would ride with you upon the wind and dance upon the mountains like a flame.”

–William Butler Yeats

Director Pamela Tatge photo Hayim Heron

Connecticut’s Pamela Tatge is the new Director of Jacob’s Pillow, the internationally acclaimed dance center and performance space known for its stature as the oldest internationally acclaimed summer dance festival in the United Sates. Located in Becket, Massachusetts, it also includes a professional school and extensive archives as well as yearround community programs. This world renowned polestar is listed as a National Historic Landmark District. When she received the job offer, Tatge was full of enthusiasm. “This is my dream job. It allows me to use my entrepreneurial abilities as well as my creative abilities. Because of its brand, I feel it’s a place of possibity.”

"Gotta Dance, Too" exhibit featured over 75 vintage movie posters in Blake's Barn at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival 2018

photo Christopher Duggan

Jacob’s Pillow was named for the zig zag road which leads to the top of the property known as Jacob’s Ladder. A pillowshaped rock at its peak “topped off” the name to become Jacob’s Pillow. Its influence in the evolution of moderndance in America cannot be underestimated. The site was a farm purchased in 1931 by modern dance pioneer Ted Shawn as a dance retreat. Shawn and his wife, Ruth St. Denis, founded the highly regarded Denishawn Company, which introduced dance forms rooted in theater and cultural traditions outside European ballet. They were influential in training the experimental, avantgarde dancers of that time, including Martha Graham, Charles Weidman, Doris Humphrey, and others.

Shawn wanted to establish a dance organization for American men. His early corps of all-male dancers built many of the structures on the Jacob’s Pillow campus. The effort came to an end in 1940 with the advent of the World War II when the men joined the military and the company disbanded. During its history, it was almost on the brink of closure but influential parties were aware of its importance and came to the rescue. In 2003, it was declared a National Historic Landmark District by the federal government as “an exceptional cultural venue that holds value for all Americans.” It is the only dance entity in the United States to receive this honor.

Festival Finale

photo by David Dashiell

Pillow Magic takes place throughout the campus. Performances are held on three stages. The Ted Shawn Theatre has a capacity of 620 reserved seats. The Doris Duke Studio Theatre, built in 1990 as a flexible experimental space, has 220 seats. The third stage is Inside/Out, which presents free performances of established and emerging artists from all over the world in an informal, outdoor venue set against a panoramic vista of the Berkshire hills. According to Tatge, “This stage is the most democratic stage in America. It allows families to witness dancers from a variety of countries and all fifty states of the United States, to see the impact of bodies in nature. It is limitless! It allows them to connect to their own identity. The grounds are open every day and visits to the archives can be made by appointment. This is the only national landmark dedicated to dance. Anyone who cares about dance should make a pilgrimage here.”

Felipe Galganni & Company performing as part of Jacob's Pillow Inside/Out performance Series

photo Christopher Duggan

photo Hayim Heron

Contemporary Ballet Program in the Perles Family Studio at Jacob's Pillow; photo Noor Eemaan, courtesy of Jacob's Pillow

When appointed, Tatge unveiled Vision ‘22, a strategic approach for the Pillow’s development over the next five years, through 2022. The plan began with structural improvements and additions to the existing campus which included housing for seasonal staff and interns during the Festival and residency artists in the fall, spring, and winter months and improvements to the restaurant. However, the jewel in the crown is the 5.5 million Perles Family Studio which serves as a new home for the School at Jacob’s Pillow; the name recognizes a leading gift from the Perles Family Foundation and Jacob’s Pillow Trustee Claudia Perles. The building has also received a $225,000 grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund, one of the largest gifts given. This new 7,373- square-foot studio will feature a 3,500 square foot dance floor which is nearly twice the size of the main rehearsal space, the Sommers Studio. Completely climate controlled, it will eliminate the current temperature and humidity challenges faced by dancers and artist faculty during the summer season. This space will accommodate room for spectators to view classes and rehearsals without disrupting dancers and faculty and add 200 seats for Inside/Out performances in instances of inclement weather. Throughout the fall, winter, and spring seasons, the new studio will expand the space available for year-round residencies as well as convenings, events, and workshops.

“Vision ‘22 also launches the Pillow’s expanded commitment to its Berkshire-area neighbors and new collaborations with the City of Pittsfield and the Town of Becket.

photo by Hayim Heron

photo by Hayim Heron

photo Hayim Heron

photo Chris Nash

photo Erin Baiano

photo Rose EichenBaum

photo by Christopher Duggan

In Pittsfield, the Pillow will sponsor a summerlong series of Pillow Pop-up performances and events in conjunction with the City’s monthly third Thursday celebration. The Pittsfield- Pillow Express will offer a free Saturday bus service connecting Jacob's Pillow and three

Dancer Irene Rodriguez - photo by Christopher Duggan

Pittsfield neighborhoods. This free bus service is open to all and is specifically aimed at helping families and people without independent transportation gain access to the Pillow’s many free and low-cost events and programs.”

In addition, this plan will expand community engagement residencies, including those by prominent dancers. Some will engage members of the Pittsfield African-American community, especially young women of

color, through a series of social dance workshops and events for youth, teens, and adults. Other initiatives include programs designed to engage local veterans. Vision ‘22 will also enable the Pillow to provide discounted tickets to Festival performances to students enrolled in Berkshire County dance schools, studios, and programs, through the Dancing Berkshires Fund. Hundreds of young people study dance in Berkshire county but rarely have the opportunity to experience a live performance at the Pillow campus. The Dancing Berkshires Fund enables local dance students to visit the Pillow, observe classes, and attend a professional dance performance.

The Pillow also has plans for enhanced partnerships with MASS MoCA, the Berkshire International Film Festival, the Clark Art Institute, Cultural Pittsfield, the Mahaiwe Performing Art Center, Greenagers, Berkshire Community College, the Lift Ev'ry Voice Festival, and Tanglewood Music Center, among other cultural partners.

“Vision ‘22 will allow the Pillow to evolve into a year-round facility in ways it has not been before. Because of our cold climate in the mountains we cannot be a performance facility all year round but it will be a hotbed of creativity in the off season. We can give artists space and time to rehearse. Dance in this country is underserved. Here work can be created and later presented at the Pillow.”

The Jacob’s Pillow season runs from June 15 through August 25, 2019. Contact www.jacobspillow.org