Ballet Hispánico New York to Return to Jacob's Pillow Festival

Jacob's Pillow will welcome the return of Ballet Hispánico New York to the Ted Shawn Theatre Wednesday, August 19 through Sunday, August 23.

The New York City-based company will perform a mixed repertory program that will include the return of Línea Recta, an acclaimed signature work by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa commissioned for Jacob's Pillow's 85th Anniversary in 2017, as well as Otra Vez, Otra Vez, Otra Vez by Stephanie Martinez and Trança by Cassi Abranches. After the company's performance on Saturday, August 22 at 7:30pm, ticket holders and performers are invited to a free Latin dance party in the adjacent Bakalar Studio.

From Wednesday, August 19 through Sunday, August 23, Taiwanese dancer, choreographer, and inventor Huang Yi will bring his original work Ink to the Doris Duke Theatre. Named by Dance Magazine as one of “25 to Watch” in 2011, Huang creates partnership between humans and robots, mixing movement with multimedia to make each human or machine a dancing instrument. In collaboration with audio-visual pioneer Ryoichi Kurokawa, Huang's piece uses motion and technology to take apart and re-build images, all in partnership with projections and robots. 

On Thursday, August 20, Western Massachusetts group Kia The Key & Company, featuring 2003 Alumna of The School at Jacob's Pillow Shakia “The Key” Johnson, will appear on the outdoor Henry J. Leir Stage to perform excerpts from The Gathering. On Friday, August 21, New York Theatre Ballet will celebrate their 47th season with works by Antony Tudor, Antonia Franceschi, Alumni of The School at Jacob's Pillow (2003) Melissa Toogood, and Annie-B Parson. On Saturday, August 22, The School at Jacob's Pillow's Musical Theatre Performance Ensemble will culminate their three week program with a performance featuring original repertoire by Choreographer/Directors Dominique Kelley, Mayte Natalio, and Luis Salgado. The performance of The School at Jacob's Pillow's Musical Theatre Performance Ensemble on Saturday, August 22 at 5:30pm ET will also be available to the general public as a free livestream (registration is required).

During Festival Week 9, visitors are also invited to join a free PillowTalk—moderated by Ramón H. Rivera-Servera—with Artistic Director of Ballet Hispánico New York Eduardo Vilaro, Festival artist Nélida Tirado, and Choreographer in The School at Jacob's Pillow's Musical Theatre Program Luis Salgado on Saturday, August 22 at 4pm. These three unique and rich voices will contribute their perspectives on U.S. dance today as well as the many impacts of Latine dance.

“Festival Week 9 celebrates the power and expression of movement,” said Jacob's Pillow Executive and Artistic Director Pamela Tatge. “A favorite of Pillow audiences, known for their bold repertory and non-stop energy, Ballet Hispánico New York will return to Jacob's Pillow with the work of three women choreographers, two of whom are making their Jacob's Pillow debuts. In the Doris Duke Theatre, we are thrilled to welcome Huang Yi from Taiwan with Ink, a striking work known for its remarkable use of robotics and holographic projection. Shakia “The Key” Johnson, who was on faculty at The School at Jacob's Pillow this summer, will bring dancers together to celebrate the beauty of Black social dance with her company, Kia The Key & Company. New York Theatre Ballet returns to the Pillow after 10 years with two company premieres in their program. Lastly, the 24 dancers in The School at Jacob's Pillow's Musical Theatre Performance Ensemble will showcase their talent in a mixed repertory program. We are truly excited to share the fabulous work of our artists this week, honoring legacy and the bright future of dance.”

Pre-Show Talks with Pillow Scholars will be offered 30 minutes before show time for all performances in the Ted Shawn Theatre and the Doris Duke Theatre. Talks before Ballet Hispánico New York performances will be led by Scholar-in-Residence Ramón H. Rivera-Servera, and talks before Huang Yi performances will be led by Scholar-in-Residence Amy LaViers. Post-Show Talks with the artists will be held onstage following Friday afternoon performances in the Ted Shawn Theatre, Thursday evening performances in the Doris Duke Theatre, and all performances on the Henry J. Leir Stage.

From August 19 through 31, Jacob's Pillow will hold a special Giving Week, encouraging Members, donors, and attendees to celebrate “A History of Impact” and the Pillow's rich heritage through their support. Thanks to a group of generous benefactors, gifts to the Jacob's Pillow Annual Fund will be matched dollar for dollar up to $50,000. Additionally, if the goal of 100 new Jacob's Pillow Members is met by August 31, additional funds will be unlocked. For more information, visit jacobspillow.org/support beginning August 19. 

All performances are now on sale. Tickets to Ballet Hispánico New York begin at $71.50 in the Ted Shawn Theatre. Tickets to Huang Yi: Ink begin at $61.60 in the Doris Duke Theatre. All three engagements on the Henry J. Leir Stage are Choose What You Pay, allowing each ticket buyer to set the price of their purchase. Rain or Shine tickets allow ticket holders priority access to an indoor venue at Jacob's Pillow in the event of inclement weather. Rain or Shine tickets are priced at $48.50. For more information for tickets and reservations, visit jacobspillow.org.

ABOUT BALLET HISPÁNICO NEW YORK

A returning classic since their first Jacob's Pillow performance in 1984, Ballet Hispánico New York offers a mixed program sure to delight dance fans seeking “vibrant and richly textured” performances (The New York Times). 

Since its founding by Tina Ramirez in the wake of the civil rights movement on New York's Upper West Side, Ballet Hispánico New York has been celebrated for its bold repertory and exceptional training programs for over 50 years, becoming the nation's leading Latino dance company, and the largest cultural institution of its kind in the United States.

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