1776 at Jacob’s Pillow

A group of performers on an outdoor stage wearing a variety of colonial-inspired attire stand and sing, reaching one arm out to the side and pointing.

The Musical Theatre Performance Ensemble brought together 22 women, women-presenting, and gender non-conforming musical theatre performers to work with Program Director Jeffrey Page and the accompanying Creative Team including Alex Wakim, Brisa Areli Muñoz, Courtney Ross, Crystal Monee Hall, David Chase, Jill M. Vallery, and Robin Gee.

A group of performers sit in chairs grouped around a piano in a studio.
Performers working with Artist Faculty David Chase

Throughout their three weeks on campus, the Musical Theatre Performance Ensemble explored the musical 1776 in a series of collaborative rehearsals, informed by preparations occurring for a Broadway revival co-directed and choreographed by Jeffrey with Diane Paulus. 

Jeffrey Page speaks to an audience. Behind him, there is a semi-circle of performers sitting in chairs. They are all wearing black.
Jeffrey Page speaks during the Pause-in-the-Process Showing

“As director/choreographer of the Musical Theater Performance Ensemble at Jacob’s Pillow, my aim is to create space where dancers can explore the ways in which music, dance, and character development come together to create heightened and full-bodied art that digs deep and interrogates unquestioned societal norms,” says Jeffrey Page.

Two people sit on a log facing a third person sitting on a different log.
Performers reflect while working with Artist Faculty Crystal Monee Hall

“Through themes within Sherman Edwards and Peter Stones’ musical 1776, we will raise questions about the culminating events surrounding the formation of the United States of America and its call for and declaration of independence.”

A group of people sit on wooden benches outside. They laugh and gesture toward each other, holding notebooks in their laps.
Members of the Musical Theatre Performance Ensemble attend a show at the Henry J. Leir Stage

“Who was included and excluded? Who do we celebrate? And how did these events change and shape history?”

Liz Lerman sits on a chair surrounded by performers sitting on the ground.
Guest Artist Class with Liz Lerman

“This is an exploration of embodied cognitive dissonance and will fearlessly investigate perceived gender roles and how the dancing body makes a statement of its need to be included, seen, felt, and heard.” 

A line of performers dressed in colonial-inspired garb face an audience on an outdoor stage. A pianist sits off to the side.
Musical Theatre Performance Ensemble on the Henry J. Leir Stage

The first and second program weeks concluded with informal work-in-process showings in The School’s Perles Family Studio. Performers finished the third and final week of the program appearing on the iconic Henry J. Leir outdoor stage before a live, and live-streamed, audience. 

A performer stands and sings at the front of an outdoor stage, with a group of performers loosely circled behind. They wear colonial-inspired garb.
Musical Theatre Performance Ensemble on the Henry J. Leir Stage

Watch the Musical Theatre Performance Ensemble show excerpts of their work in week one and week two of the program. Plus, here’s a sneak peek behind the scenes in rehearsal with Jeffrey Page.

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