Contemporary
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June 29 – July 19, 2026
Program Directors Emilie Leriche, Omar Román de Jesús, Jermaine Spivey, and Spenser Theberge
For 24 dancers at an early-career, company-ready, or pre-professional advanced level. Dancers must be at least age 16 on arrival day; no exceptions possible.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The Contemporary Performance Ensemble will have the opportunity to explore the creative process of new work in three unique weeklong experiences, with renowned choreographers Emilie Leriche, Omar Román de Jesús, Jermaine Spivey & Spenser Theberge. Dancers live and work alongside the Festival’s international artist community, where artistic growth thrives and the possibilities for dance continually expand.
ARTIST FACULTY
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Emilie Leriche
Omar Román de Jesús
Jermaine Maurice Spivey
Spenser Theberge
Francisco Martinez
Tim Russell
Program Schedule
Daily ballet or contemporary technique classes, with live accompaniment, will be led by Francisco Martinez or that week’s Guest Choreographer. Rehearsals for newly created work or repertory are directed by a different Choreographer/Director each week, with in-depth coaching on the multiple roles expected of dancers from studio to stage. Workshops with the program’s three distinct Choreographers/Directors, as well as Festival Artists, will invite dancers to explore their own creativity and a range of movement languages and choreographic approaches. Seminars and discussions with Artist Faculty, Festival Artists, and School Alumni will offer deeper insight into the expectations, professional standards, and industry practices needed to sustain a career in dance.
Performance Opportunities
The Ensemble performs before Festival audiences to strengthen performance skills and the artistry needed individually, and as an ensemble, to meaningfully express choreographic intent. On the final program day, they appear on the iconic outdoor Henry J. Leir Stage, presenting excerpts of works developed or staged during the program. The in-person and livestream audiences include School-invited artistic directors of ballet companies who Ensemble dancers aspire to work with in the future.
During the program, dancers will also
Attend Festival performances, Pillow scholar-led talks, and other events across the Pillow grounds.
Participate in career-building seminars and discussions led by Festival Artists, Artist Faculty, and Pillow Alumni. Topics include developing an artistic practice and choreographic voice, wellness practices, contract negotiations and decisions, dance citizenship, and strategies to forge one’s own path in the field.
Access digital dance works connected to Artist Faculty, Festival Artists, and program curriculum available only in the Jacob’s Pillow Archives.
Complete program assignments which may include improvisational studies, collaborative movement invention, choreographic ideas, journal writing, and other activities.
Build a career network through daily interactions with peers, staff, Artist Faculty, artistic directors, company members, dance supporters, audiences, community members, and visitors.
LIVE LIKE A CREATIVE DANCE ARTIST
The Jacob’s Pillow School Experience is a day-to-evening conservatory style curriculum, designed to instill the stamina, perseverance, and entrepreneurial and collaborative voracity required to live and work as a creative dance artist.
Throughout the program, rigorous artistic practices build the skills and connections necessary for each dancer to become an exceptional performer and collaborator, with a distinct artistic voice. Dancers depart the Festival as lifelong members of the global Jacob’s Pillow Alumni network.
Applications to the 2026 Contemporary Program are now closed.
Applications for the 2027 program will open in late fall of 2026. To hear from us about opportunities at The School, sign up for our email newsletters here