Renowned for its profound impact on the history and preservation of dance, Jacob’s Pillow offers scholars an unparalleled opportunity to engage with its archives, a treasure trove documenting decades of dance history, performance, and creation. Available exclusively to faculty members at Jacob’s Pillow College Partner institutions, the Faculty Research Fellowship invites scholars to spend two weeks in residency, exploring the rich resources that the Pillow Archives offer. The flexible format allows for research weeks to be split, providing time to reflect and deepen research questions between visits. In this blog, we feature the reflections of Rain Ross, a recent fellow who has completed her first week of research, sharing early insights and illustrating the vital role this fellowship plays in advancing dance scholarship and enriching academic research.
Q: Can you provide some information about your university affiliation and what research you are currently working on?
I am a Professor of Dance at Stockton University in New Jersey. My current research looks at the prioritized aesthetics in Western Concert Dance, specifically investigating the ways these aesthetics impact gender diversity in choreographic voices.
Q: What originally inspired you to apply for this fellowship, and what specific goals did you have for your research?
When I started this research project in 2022, I spent a day and a half in the archives at the Pillow and found the resources incredibly helpful. In continuing my research, I knew that further access to the archives at the Pillow would be invaluable, and I also knew that having the opportunity to discuss my research with Patsy [Gay, Associate Archivist], Norton [Owen, Director of Preservation], and Sumi [Matsumoto, Digital Archivist] would help refine and focus my ideas.
Q: Can you share a memorable experience or discovery from your time working in the Jacob’s Pillow Archives?
Overall, the whole experience has been incredible. It is rare that I get to have this sort of dedicated time to focus on my research interests and being given this opportunity allowed me to just enjoy the process of digging into research.
One memorable moment I’d like to share actually does not relate to my research specifically, but to the experience of being at the Pillow as a whole, and to the ways Jacob’s Pillow brings together community through dance. On my last evening at the Pillow, I took an evening walk to enjoy the sun setting and the fall leaves. One of the Pillow Lab artists, Music from the Sole, had arrived the night before and had just completed their rehearsals for the day; our paths crossed as they were headed back to their cabin. Gregory Richardson, co-artistic director, and I introduced ourselves and briefly talked about the projects we are working on during our time at the Pillow. While just a short interaction, this moment is such a reminder about how important conversations with fellow artists and researchers are, especially as these conversations bring the dance community together.
Q: How did the historic, retreat-like atmosphere of Jacob’s Pillow impact your process and thinking during your time on campus?
The atmosphere allowed me to step fully into the research, immersing myself in the questions I am investigating, while also being surrounded by dance and others who recognize the value of dance in our world. While [I was] already excited about being on campus for research, the environment supported this excitement, enhancing the whole experience.
Q: In what ways has the fellowship influenced your teaching, research, and/or creative process since completing your first week in the Archives? Are there ways you might approach your second week of research differently?
The first week allowed me to dig deeply into a lot of material; I watched hours of footage from performances at the Pillow, as well as post-show talk backs! I have actually just learned that I was granted a sabbatical for next year, and one of the projects I will be working on during this sabbatical is synthesizing and writing up my findings from this research. Knowing that I will have continued dedicated time to work on this project means that the second week I am at the Pillow, right before my sabbatical starts, I will continue to watch hours of footage, and I will be asking myself what steps/additional resources I need to round out this project so that I can embark upon my sabbatical ready to go.
I also found the conversations I had with Patsy and Sumi so incredibly helpful in focusing and refining some of my ideas, I hope that the second week will allow me to have some more conversations with them about the work, although I know they will be busy getting ready for the summer season which will be just around the corner!
Q: What insights or advice would you offer to other faculty members considering applying for this fellowship? What could they look forward to experiencing?
This experience has been enriching and fulfilling. When we embark upon scholarly research, it can sometimes feel like we are a little bit isolated in the research process. Having the opportunity to be in community, have conversations, toss around ideas with other people who are invested in dance will only enhance any research you are doing. The experience is more than the access to the archives; it is the community of people with whom you get to engage.
“The experience is more than the access to the archives; it is the community of people with whom you get to engage.”
Rain’s experiences serve as inspiration for future faculty fellows to explore the rich resources at Jacob’s Pillow and contribute to the continued growth of dance scholarship. To learn more about the Faculty Research Fellowship and how you can apply, click here.
Written by Angela Ciarochi. Published January 2025.