2021 Professional Advancement Programs are Being Re-envisioned
New ways of working, mentoring, sharing work, and contributing to the community will be required to support your journey ahead as a dance artist. While we finalize plans, tell us what would best support your artistic growth in the year ahead. Write to: jrglover@jacobspillow.org.
Announcement of 2021 Programs will be made December 2020.
Street & Club Dances | June 29—July 10
Ephrat Asherie & Archie Burnett, Program Directors
For 24 United States and international dancers, comfortable freestyling in two or more styles, with or without academic or studio training; minimum age 16.
The School at Jacob’s Pillow is where dancers evolve the distinct artistic voice that will distinguish their work in the field. Though unable to gather within the Jacob’s Pillow studios, the Street & Club Dances Program is convening a small group of dancers to work online within ‘on-screen studios.’
The original program content has been streamlined to fit the reduced online hours. All sessions will be led by Archie Burnett and Ephrat Asherie with an emphasis on the artistic growth of dancers by developing their individual artistic voices as expressed by performance style and quality. Group dialogues and small group mentoring sessions will help evolve dancers visions of being dance artists in the altered cultural landscape ahead. Independent curricular assignments, conducted on own time, will include seeing performances or viewing materials from the Jacob’s Pillow Archive, researching topics on Jacob’s Pillow Dance Interactive, and recording choreographic assignments. Additionally there will be a Master Class Series from The School at Jacob’s Pillow led by internationally acclaimed artists and open to dancers worldwide.
Online live sessions will require up to 3.5 hours daily with an additional two hours maximum of independent work a few days per week. Live sessions will occur during timeframes that accommodate the broad range of time zones where artist faculty and dancers are based. Jacob’s Pillow School Sponsors will meet with dancers online and when possible, experience work created online.
Program Directors
Ephrat Asherie
June 29-July 10
Ephrat “Bounce” Asherie is a New York City-based b-girl, dancer, and choreographer and a 2016 Bessie Award Winner for Innovative Achievement in Dance. As artistic director of Ephrat Asherie Dance, her work has been presented at The Apollo Theater, Columbia College, Dixon Place, FiraTarrega, Guggenheim Works & Process, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, The Joyce Theater, La MaMa, River to River Festival, New York Live Arts, ArtPower, Summerstage, and The Yard, among others.
Archie Burnett
June 29-July 10
Archie Burnett, Club Dancer and Ambassador of Urban dance social styles, is a well-known master of varied styles of club dancing. Going on well over 40 years now, he teaches and performs worldwide.
RECRUITMENT TOUR MASTER CLASSES
Great experiences to meet Pillow artists and learn about The School, though these opportunities are not an application requirement. View Recruitment Tour locations, dates, and details.
DEADLINES & FEES
2020 Application Deadlines & Notifications
January 17 at Noon EST Early Application Deadline, Round I | $15 processing fee
February 14 at Noon EST Early Application Deadline, Round II | $30 processing fee
April 22 at 11:59pm EDT Extended Regular Deadline | $45 processing fee
Admittance status notifications are being sent as of May 1 by email. Acceptances are being sent first for all programs and will be followed by sending other notifications. Thank you for your patience. We are sending all notifications on a rolling basis.
Program Tuition Fee | $1,500
The two-week tuition fee includes tuition, onsite room and board, free admission to Festival performances and events, and ground transportation from Lee, MA to Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, MA. Each year up to 80% of accepted dancers receive Jacob’s Pillow Scholarships to make their attendance possible.
Jacob’s Pillow School Sponsors and Supporters make it possible to charge $750/week; far below the actual program cost of more than $5,000. If accepted, we will ask you to join us in letting these friends of The School at Jacob’s Pillow know how grateful we are for their support.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
Be prepared to upload the following materials into the Program Application:
1. Audition Video
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- Video material should be in the street & club dances genre.
- Footage: Must be of clear viewing quality and shot no more than six months prior to submission. Media-enhanced, highly edited, or promotional-type videos will not be reviewed.
- Adjudicators prefer one concise video with a table of contents; multiple videos will be viewed if contents are properly identified.
- Passwords: To expedite the review process, no passwords preferred. If you need to use passwords, please have the same password for all video uploads.
- URL Uploads: 1) Please upload only one video link per field. 2) After uploading a URL link and password, test it. If the link fails to open, your application cannot be reviewed. 3) Keeping your link(s) accessible until the program start date will ensure you can be re-considered for acceptance if waitlisted.
A. Verbal self-introduction, 1 minute maximum
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- Explain why you are excited about joining this intensive and what parts of your artist-self you are most interested in developing.
B. Dance Styles Sampler, 3 minutes maximum
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- Select 2 songs, contrasting in genre, tempo, quality; each 1:30 minutes max in length
- Demonstrate the two styles in which you feel most expressive.
C. Optional, share a clip of anything else you would like to share about yourself as a mover
2. Written Statement
In 1000 words or less, please share:
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- Influences on your current dance work and artistic goals
- Career aspirations and experiences desired to reach them
- How you envision this program impacting your vision of yourself as an artist
3. Résumé/C.V.
4. Dance Photo or Headshot
5. If 17 or younger, a Letter of Recommendation and a Reference are required
Upload into Program Application when requested or postmark by your Application Deadline to School Director, The School at Jacob’s Pillow, 358 George Carter Rd, Becket, MA 01223
A. Please request a letter from one current teacher, describing
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- Technical and performance artistry
- Stamina to participate in rigorous, professional level schedule of classes, rehearsals, performances, and evening responsibilities
- Ability to live and interact responsibly as a professional in a diverse artist community
B. Please acquire name, title, phone, and email from a second dance artist or teacher who can speak about your work.
6. Scholarship Instructions, if applicable
Go to Street & Club Dances Program and Scholarship Application Now