JACOB'S PILLOW DANCE FESTIVAL Tickets Go On Sale 4/8

Single tickets for the 81st Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival go on sale to the general public on April 8 at 10am. Jacob's Pillow is a National Historic Landmark, home to America's longest-running dance festival, and a recipient of the National Medal of Arts; Jennifer Dunning of The New York Times has hailed the Pillow as "the dance center of the nation, possibly the world." Tickets can be purchased by visiting jacobspillow.org or calling 413.243.0745. Further programming announcements will be made in late April for more than 200 free events, including Inside/Out performances, PillowTalks, exclusive art and photography exhibits, and free community events.

The 81st Festival season will feature more than 50 companies performing on three stages: the historic Ted Shawn Theatre; the intimate Doris Duke Theatre; and the open-air Henry J. Leir Stage, home to the Pillow's free Inside/Out Performance Series which serves more than 17,000 community members annually. More than 350 free and ticketed dance performances, talks, tours, exhibits, films, classes, and community events will be offered June 15-August 25, 2013.

The 2013 Festival artists travel from four continents and seven countries: Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Israel, and across the U.S. Festival highlights include the world premiere of New York City Ballet star Wendy Whelan's new project Restless Creature, as well as premieres by contemporary ballet choreographer Jessica Lang; tap artist Michelle Dorrance; Samuel Murez of French contemporary ballet ensemble 3e étage: Dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet; and a new work by European master choreographer Nacho Duato, performed by the Martha Graham Dance Company.

L-E-V, the new company from Israel co-founded by choreographic collaborators Sharon Eyal and Gai Behar, will make its U.S. debut with the evening-length work HOUSE. Master musicians will perform live with at least four engagements, including celebrated Kuchipudi specialist dancer Shantala Shivalingappa; Dorrance Dance's The Blues Project; Canada's O Vertigo, performing La Vie Qui Bat to Steve Reich's "Drumming;" and the flamenco artists of La Otra Orilla of Montréal.

Other special engagements include the newly revitalized Dance Theatre of Harlem; encore performances by Festival 2012's sold-out hip-hop hit Compagnie Käfig; French ensemble 3e étage: Dancers of the Paris Opera Ballet in Le Pillow Thirteen, a program created specifically for Jacob's Pillow; Martha Graham Dance Company in the revival of Graham's Rite of Spring; and 2012 Jacob's Pillow Dance Award winner Kyle Abraham's newest work, Pavement.

"If audiences dive into the range and variety of Festival 2013, it will be an exciting and incomparable dance experience," comments Ella Baff, Jacob's Pillow Executive and Artistic Director. "The best part about a Festival is the opportunity to explore and see new artists and dance styles as well as enjoy beloved classics and favorites. I hope our visitors will discover new companies such as Sharon Eyal's intense and provocative L-E-V from Israel, and other new productions including the world premiere and co-commission of the superb ballerina Wendy Whelan's new adventure, Restless Creature, and a new tap production by choreographer Michelle Dorrance with live music by acclaimed composer and musician Toshi Reagon. We will also reach back in important dance history with the revival of Martha Graham's Rite of Spring and Dance Theatre of Harlem performing iconic works by George Balanchine and Alvin Ailey.

Each Festival we strive to bring the best of international dance, dedicated to presenting companies and new works that will only be seen at Jacob's Pillow in the beautiful Berkshires. With artists from Canada, Brazil, France, Israel, India, Germany, and all over the United States, you can enjoy the top talent from many corners of the world. I can't wait to share the season with everyone."

The School at Jacob's Pillow 2013 programs are equally international and varied in scope. Pre-professional dancers from around the world will audition to take part in programs in Ballet, Commercial Dance, Contemporary, and Jazz/Musical Theatre Dance. Artist faculty and program directors include esteemed ballet master teacher and coach Anna-Marie Holmes; New York City Ballet principal dancer Wendy Whelan; former house choreographer for Ohad Naharin's Batsheva Dance Company, Sharon Eyal; former Ballet Frankfurt member, choreographer Helen Pickett; commercial dance choreographer and director Jeffrey Page; revered master teacher Milton Myers; Artistic Director of Luna Negra Dance Theatre Gustavo Ramirez Sansano, Dutch choreographer Didy Veldman, Broadway choreographer and director Chet Walker, and many others.