Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group

At Doris Duke Theatre: Jul 10 - Jul 14

Make a Donation TOP

Event Dates

Oh no! You missed this one! Check our calendar for future events.

About

This performance took place July 10-14, 2019. Scroll for bonus content!

Praised for how “his sprawling movement pieces fold history into the present” (The New York Times), award-winning choreographer Reggie Wilson imagines what Black Shaker worship might have looked like in the world premiere of POWER. This Brooklyn-based company and its body of work draws from the spiritual and mundane traditions of Africa and its Diaspora; Wilson often refers to his work as a “post-Africa/Neo-HooDoo Modern dance.”

POWER was commissioned by Jacob’s Pillow and fueled by two residencies at the Pillow Lab with supplemental research at Hancock Shaker Village, a living history museum dedicated to the Shakers, who established the village in Pittsfield, MA in 1783. A special, site-based experience with Reggie Wilson and company was performed at Hancock Shaker Village on July 6. Read more in the program and PillowNotes.

Explore Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group

Watch the Post-Show Talk

Choreographer/Performer Reggie Wilson in conversation with Jacob’s Pillow Scholar-in-Residence Maura Keefe:

In the Press

“Thinking about the Men Dancers’ communal living versus Shaker communal living versus the communal living that happens with professional dance has been kind of inspirational,” he said. “Dance is the connective tissue.” Read more from Tresca Weinstein in Times Union.

“Being confronted with the idea of a Black Shaker was too [enticing] a door to not knock on and go in,” he said. Read more from Christopher Marcisz in The Berkshire Eagle.

“[The cast is] at once emotionally enigmatic and physically forthright, private souls sharing their prowess.” Read more from Janine Parker in The Boston Globe.

Dive into Jacob’s Pillow Dance Interactive

This ever-growing collection includes dance videos filmed at Jacob’s Pillow from the 1930s to today and new illustrated essays. Explore more from Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group on JPDI: