Get ready for an incredible week at Festival 2024 as The Pillow prepares to host three phenomenal groups for their return to the Henry J. Leir Stage! We’re thrilled to welcome back MoBBallet: Creating Pathways to Performance; Merce Cunningham, Liz Gerring, Kyle Abraham: Three Duets; and The MasterZ at Work Dance Family for an unforgettable series of performances.
Curious about what drives these artists? Hear directly from Liz Gerring Radke of Three Duets, Courtney Washington of The MasterZ at Work Dance Family, and Jennifer Archibald, one of the choreographers behind MoBBallet, as they share their insights and inspirations in their own words.
Merce Cunningham, Liz Gerring, Kyle Abraham: Three Duets
How does it feel to return to the Pillow? What changes has the company gone through since you last performed here?
So excited to be back at the Pillow. I love the outdoor stage, it should be the perfect setting for Landrover Duets ! We are currently still in restart mode following work stoppage during Covid.
Tell us a bit about the work you’ll be presenting this week.
I was honored to have an opportunity to create a piece “in conversation” with Merce Cunningham, who has had such a profound influence on my work, and in particular to take a deep dive into the Landrover archive. Dialogue is an example of my central belief that the essence of life can be captured through movement. Taking the work into the natural world of the outdoor stage at the Pillow transposes metaphorical space into actuality.
How have you prepared for this performance?
We had 3 or 4 rehearsals to familiarize ourselves with the work and will have another couple of rehearsals the week of the show. Since our company is not currently performing the rehearsals were needed to get up to speed physically.
What are you most excited about for this performance on the Leir Stage?
Performing outside in the Berkshires seems like the perfect setting for this dance especially considering the topographical references of the original Cunningham work, Landrover. Most importantly, it is a great honor to be performing along with the amazing dancers of Kyle Abraham and Ailey.
What do you want audiences to think about when watching this performance?
The beauty of the human body in action against the backdrop of the natural world.
The MasterZ at Work Dance Family
How does it feel to return to the Pillow? What changes has the company gone through since you last performed here?
It feels good to be making a return to the Pillow. We haven’t been through much changes just performing all over the world.
Tell us a bit about the work you’ll be presenting this week.
All Inclusive is a dance created by the company showcasing all the styles each individual is trained in.
Space is a dance that showcases us in our true form, highlights black and brown bodies that are gay, have curly hair or short hair, that are big boned, that are dealing with anxiety to let them know it’s okay to take up space and you’re not alone.
How have you prepared for this performance?
For the last month we have just been practicing hard.
What are you most excited about for this performance on the Leir Stage?
The stage. Last time we came here we were indoors. We wanna come from behind.
What do you want audiences to think about when watching this performance?
I want them to leave here with healing energy and to just be happy.
MoBBallet: Creating Pathways to Performance
How does it feel to return to the Pillow? What changes has the company gone through since you last performed here?
In the past two years, I have presented work with the school at Jacob’s Pillow. It is exciting to bring work to the Henry J.Leir Stage, honoring working professionals from ballet companies across the nation.
Tell us a bit about the work you’ll be presenting this week.
HOME premiered at the Kennedy Center, including the classical contemporary music of resident composer Carlos Simon, and new sonic territories of House and Deep Funk sound of JohnnyDangerous. With an emphasis on inner peace, “HOME” resonates with my goal of inspiring audiences to reflect on their understanding of freedom, and identity. The dancers seek the transformative power of self-expression and self-acceptance. This piece seeks unorthodox pathways to performance art while supporting inclusive, activist narratives in art making. By experimenting with different dance aesthetics, musical elements, structures, and techniques, this piece creates unique and innovative compositions that defy categorization and appeal to diverse audiences.
How have you prepared for this performance?
“HOME” was commissioned by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as part of Pathways to Performance and is supported in part by Social Impact’s Office Hours Residency program – we have been in rehearsals for two weeks at the Kennedy Center.
What are you most excited about for this performance on the Leir Stage?
I am grateful to celebrate the talent of Black ballet dance artists on stage.
What do you want audiences to think about when watching this performance?
I want audiences to recognize and celebrate the immense talent and artistry of these dance artists while also appreciating the importance of diversity and representation in the arts. It should be a reminder of the rich contributions that Black dancers bring to ballet, challenging stereotypes and inspiring future generations.
This Pillow Pick was written by Marisa Davis, and published on July 4, 2024.