Previously streamed on Jacob’s Pillow On Demand, the encore presentation of the Festival 2021 site-specific performance titled Dorrance Dance Plays the Pillow featured the world premiere of Ways to Now from the stellar tap dancers and musicians of Dorrance Dance. Created for the Pillow Grounds, this performance took audiences on a journey through Jacob’s Pillow grounds, exploring a unique and enchanting environment in a never-before-seen (nor-heard) way. Keep scrolling to learn more about Dorrance Dance’s extensive history at the Pillow.

Two tap dancers are in sync on a platform in front of a cabin with an upright bass player right behind them. In front of them, to the left side, there is a trumpeter and drummer mid-playing.


Read More with a Dance Interactive Essay

Michelle Dorrance has been lauded as one of today’s most imaginative tap choreographers. Read Scholar Brian Seibert’s multi-media essay on Michelle Dorrance to learn more.

Michelle Dorrance Dance at Jacob's Pillow

READ HERE


Step Inside Dorrance Dance’s Pillow Residency

Watch Dorrance Dance’s installment of Inside the Pillow Labwhich provides an intimate look at works in process and behind-the-scenes moments of what it’s like for artists to live, work, and rehearse together on the Pillow’s retreat-like campus.

A group of tap dancers rehearse in an indoor studio.

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Take a Look Back at Dorrance Dance’s Pillow History

Explore Dorrance Dance’s past performances at the Pillow on Jacob’s Pillow Dance Interactive and watch snippets of the company’s work.

A zoomed out shot of a group of dancers with their backs to the audience and arms extended in V-shapes towards the sky. An audience is visible in the foreground and trees are visible in the background.

DIVE IN


A Podcast Episode for You

Watching a virtual stream and curious to learn more about the history of dance on screen? Listen to the PillowVoices podcast episode Dance On Screen.

PillowVoices composer and audio engineer Ellis Rovin ruminates on some of the ways that dance has been seen on film, drawing upon a PillowTalk by David Gere and considering examples from Fred Astaire to Merce Cunningham.

LISTEN HERE