Ted Shawn News

Switzerland's acclaimed Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve returns to Jacob's Pillow for the first time since its 2007 U.S. debut, June 22-26 in the Ted Shawn Theatre.

Carte Blanche, Norway's award-winning National Company of Contemporary Dance, makes its U.S. full company debut in a program of compelling works by Batsheva Dance Company house choreographer Sharon Eyal at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival June 29-July 3.

Switzerland's acclaimed Ballet du Grand Theatre de Geneve returns to Jacob's Pillow for the first time since its 2007 U.S. debut, June 22-26 in the Ted Shawn Theatre.

Jacob's Pillow Dance, recent recipient of a prestigious National Medal of Arts, announces its full 2011 Festival calendar, including more than 120 ticketed performances and 200 free events, performances, talks, exhibits, and tours.

Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival, National Historic Landmark and recent recipient of a 2010 National Medal of Arts, today launches Jacob's Pillow Dance Interactive, an online video collection of dance highlights from 1937 through 2010.

The National Medal of Arts is awarded to individuals or organizations who 'are deserving of special recognition by reason of their outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States.' Named a National Historic Landmark in 2003, Jacob's Pillow is the first dance presenting organization to receive a National Medal of Arts.

For audience members wondering how the memorable, albeit short, tale can possibly be translated to musical theater, NCT producing artistic director Scot Copeland has some succinct pre-curtain advice: 'Just wait and see.' You'll be so glad you did. Its brevity notwithstanding, the story is winsomely engaging, using the text of Brown's book as a springboard to take younger audiences deeper into a wonderland of imaginative, inspirational fun - and there are some quietly expressed lessons conveyed in the process.

Access Hollywood reports today that Willow Smith is hopeful that Brad Pitt will play the role of 'Daddy Warbucks' in the upcoming remake of Annie, in which she will star. Pitt has not yet responded to the appeal. As reported yesterday, Deadline.com revealed that GLEE creator Ryan Murphy is in talks to direct the Annie remake, produced by Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith, Jay-Z and partners, starring the Smith's youngest, Willow.

Overbrook Entertainment partners James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith have formed a joint venture with Shawn 'JAY-Z' Carter to develop and produce major motion pictures. One of the projects being discussed is the re-imagination of the classic Broadway musical ANNIE as a vehicle for Willow Smith to star. The film will be developed with Sony Pictures Entertainment and produced by Overbrook Entertainment and Mr. Carter.

Overbrook Entertainment partners James Lassiter, Ken Stovitz, Jada Pinkett Smith and Will Smith have formed a joint venture with Shawn 'JAY-Z' Carter to develop and produce major motion pictures. One of the projects being discussed is the re-imagination of the classic Broadway musical ANNIE as a vehicle for Willow Smith to star. The film will be developed with Sony Pictures Entertainment and produced by Overbrook Entertainment and Mr. Carter.

Longwood Gardens, one of the world's great gardens and performing arts venues, today announced the selection of Thomas Warner to lead its performing arts program. The appointment is effective January 1, 2011.

World Toilet Day seeks to raise awareness for the 40% of the world population that lives without adequate sanitation with "The Big Squat", an event hosted by The POOP Project on Friday, November 19th on Manhattan's Lower East Side.

World Toilet Day seeks to raise awareness for the 40% of the world population that lives without adequate sanitation with "The Big Squat", an event hosted by The POOP Project on Friday, November 19th on Manhattan's Lower East Side.

Jacob's Pillow Dance, international arts presenter and home of America's longest-running dance festival, now offers a curated online selection of informative and entertaining PillowTalks. Based in Becket, Mass., Jacob's Pillow hosts more than 160 free pre-show talks, post-show interviews, and hour-long PillowTalks during its annual Festival. PillowTalks are a series of hour-long moderated discussions with choreographers, performers, historians, filmmakers, and experts in the arts and related fields.

The Vanaver Caravan will present a program geared towards dance and world music fans of all generations, particularly children, during its engagement at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival August 25-29.

Popular with both critics and audiences, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago returns to Jacob's Pillow August 25-29 in a stirring Festival 2010 finale.