PillowVoices: Dance Through Time
Jacob's Pillow Archives
PillowVoices: Dance Through Time brings listeners closer to notable dance artists connected with Jacob's Pillow, from 1933 to today. Each piece exemplifies Jacob's Pillow's mission to 'support dance creation, presentation, education, and preservation; and to engage and deepen public appreciation and support for dance' by utilizing archival recordings brought to life in the personal stories and narration of current thought-leaders and scholars. Jacob's Pillow, lauded by The New York Times as "the dance center of the nation," is a National Historic Landmark, a recipient of the prestigious National Medal of Arts, and home to America’s longest-running international dance festival, located in the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.
PillowVoices is directed by Jennifer Edwards and produced by Lisa Niedermeyer. Rahsaan Cruz provides audio design and engineering. Research and Transcription by Arushi Singh. Music for the opening is by J.S. Bach and the closing theme is by Jess Meeker, both performed by Meeker. Content curator is Norton Owen, and associate curator is Patsy Gay.
PillowVoices is directed by Jennifer Edwards and produced by Lisa Niedermeyer. Rahsaan Cruz provides audio design and engineering. Research and Transcription by Arushi Singh. Music for the opening is by J.S. Bach and the closing theme is by Jess Meeker, both performed by Meeker. Content curator is Norton Owen, and associate curator is Patsy Gay.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 21, 2020 • 25min
Celebrating Jess Meeker: Pioneering Pillow Composer
PillowVoices composer and engineer Ellis Rovin takes inspiration from the Pillow's earliest composer-accompanist, Jess Meeker, with rare interviews shedding light on dance in the 1930s and the early days of Jacob's Pillow.
Oct 31, 2020 • 30min
Mic-check on Garth Fagan, Modern Dance, and Jacob's Pillow
Dance writer Gregory King explores the work of Garth Fagan from his own perspective as a scholar and former cast member of Disney's Broadway hit, The Lion King, which Fagan choreographed. Topics range from what it means to be a Black dancer / choreographer for a (mostly) white audience, being Jamaican in a Eurocentric dance ecosystem, and the power of embodied recognition stemming from identical cultural origins.
Sep 26, 2020 • 18min
Joe Nash and the Power of Dance History
Honoring one of his heroes, Director of Preservation Norton Owen focuses on pioneering Black dance historian Joe Nash, including the voices of Chuck Davis and Donald McKayle along with Nash himself.
Aug 22, 2020 • 27min
The Origins and Value of Contact Improvisation in the Words of Steve Paxton
In this episode hosted by Jennifer Edwards, the history, practice, and importance of Contact Improvisation is explored through a revelatory 1998 conversation with the movement's founder, Steve Paxton.
Jul 25, 2020 • 14min
The Value of Residencies to Choreographers and Their Creative Processes
Associate Archivist Patsy Gay hosts this exploration of Pillow residencies and their value to choreographers and their creative processes. Existing side-by-side, hear the voices and experiences of two choreographers, Trisha Brown and Ephrat Asherie, even though their residencies at the Pillow were 32 years apart.
Jun 27, 2020 • 27min
Ruminations on Pillow History, Ted Shawn, and Adam Weinert
Dance Scholar Sydney Skybetter hosts this conversation with Norton Owen, Jacob's Pillow's Director of Preservation. Together they explore the intersections of choreographer Adam Weinert’s work with the history of both Jacob's Pillow and Ted Shawn.
May 16, 2020 • 27min
Why We Dance, Why We Watch Dance
This episode is an exploration of why we dance, why we watch dance, and the relationships between dancers, choreographers and audience members. Jacob's Pillow Scholar Jennifer Edwards, who is also the Director / Producer of PillowVoices, draws from a wide array of voices and perspectives including: The Wondertwins (hip-hop artists), Derick K. Grant (tap dancer), Dr. Thomas E. Backer (psychologist), Faye Driscoll (choreographer), Steve Paxton (dancer / contact improver), and Edward Villella (ballet dancer).
Apr 18, 2020 • 16min
A Study of José Limón: Artist and Immigrant
Pillow Research Fellow and dance writer J. Soto hosts this study of José Limón and his Mexican roots. Soto examines the classic solo Chaconne, and issues related to both artistry and immigration.
Mar 21, 2020 • 19min
The Life and Work of La Meri
The legacy of ethnic dancer, choreographer, teacher, and scholar La Meri is explored in her own words, and in a contribution from Pillow founder Ted Shawn. She tells of her beginnings and her lifelong commitment to studying and teaching dances of other cultures, with commentary by Scholar-in-Residence Nancy Wozny.
Feb 15, 2020 • 20min
Jazz as Communal Practice
Melanie George, jazz dance scholar, choreographer, and dramaturge, hosts this episode. Highlighting voices of students from the School at Jacob's Pillow and insights from Moncell Durden and Camille A. Brown, George offers a reflection on the communal aspects of jazz dance.
