five dancers hugging each other looking at a woman in the front of the room

7 Mentorship Programs that Pair Early-Career Choreographers with Experienced Artists

Mentorship amongst choreographers is nothing new: Jose Limón had Doris Humphrey, and Alvin Ailey had Lester Horton. But in a career where there is often scarce training (most college programs still primarily train dancers, not choreographers, for instance) and that can be competitive and isolating, mentorship opportunities that are formalized rather than happenstance are becoming increasingly needed.

Meet Norton Owen, Keeper of the Archives at Jacob’s Pillow

In his current position as director of preservation, he oversees exhibitions, the growing online resource Jacob’s Pillow Dance Interactive, PillowTalks, pre- and post-show lectures, and film programs. Owen describes his motto as having “one eye looking backward and one eye on what’s happening currently.”

How Jacob's Garden Is Bringing the Pillow Back to Its Farming Roots

Adam Weinert has brought farming back to Jacob’s Pillow. In the 1930s, founder Ted Shawn and his dancers grew their own food, which was as much about leading a healthy lifestyle as it was about practicality. Now, Jacob’s Garden, a 1.5-acre functioning farm garden, will provide freshly grown produce for the Pillow community. It currently […]

How Jacob's Garden Is Bringing the Pillow Back to Its Farming Roots

Adam Weinert has brought farming back to Jacob’s Pillow. In the 1930s, founder Ted Shawn and his dancers grew their own food, which was as much about leading a healthy lifestyle as it was about practicality. Now, Jacob’s Garden, a 1.5-acre functioning farm garden, will provide freshly grown produce for the Pillow community. It currently […]

TBT: Ted Shawn's Opening Night Prank at Jacob's Pillow

When Ted Shawn bought a mountaintop farm named Jacob’s Pillow in 1931, it would have been impossible to predict that the scrappy artistic retreat in the Berkshires would become such a beloved center for dance in America. In the summer of 1941, beset by financial difficulties, Shawn rented the Pillow to ballet stars Anton Dolin […]