Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival

The festival takes its name from the historical Jacob’s Pillow farm cleared in the 18th century on a hilltop along the stagecoach line that connected Boston and Albany. Choreographer Ted Shawn purchased the farm in 1930, and the public lecture series he started there in 1933 became the origins of the festival. By the 1940s Shawn’s gatherings had already evolved into an international dance festival. The Ted Shawn Theater built here in 1942 as the first dedicated dance theater in America remains one the festival’s main venues to this day. Facilities grew to include other theaters, studios and cafßs. Each year approximately 50 companies perform in the festival. The festival schedule consists of about 150 program events, including lessons taught by the dancers, talk sessions, a photography exhibition and more. Also, the outdoor theater the Inside/Out program presents performances by students of The School at Jacob's Pillow, which has produced such famous graduates as Meredith Monk, and other free performances by emerging artists.