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The School Jacob's Pillow

Musical Theatre

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August 3-23, 2026 | At the Pillow

Choreographer/Directors Dominique Kelley, Mayte Natalio, and Luis Salgado

Festival Artists may lead additional classes and talks

For 24 early-career, professional or advanced-level musical theatre performers. Dancers must be at least age 16 on arrival day; no exceptions possible.

Begin Your Application

ARTIST FACULTY

Click on a faculty member to read their bio

Dominique-Kelley-e1729540769646

Dominique Kelley

Mayte-Natalio-e1762781627916

Mayte Natalio

Luis-Salgado-Headshot-e1699457931853

Luis Salgado

The Musical Theatre Performance Ensemble offers an unparalleled opportunity for musical theatre performers to form artistic connections with Choreographer/Directors who are workshopping and creating dance-driven material for musicals in development. Dancers live and work alongside the Festival’s international artist community, where artistic growth thrives and the possibilities for dance continually expand.

Daily dance technique, improvisation, vocal training, or acting-based classes begin each morning. Afternoons and some evenings are dedicated to creative development rehearsals with the Choreographer/Directors, offering in-depth coaching on the multiple roles choreographers expect of performers 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.

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, the Ensemble appears on the iconic outdoor Henry J. Leir Stage, featuring 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.

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.

View a sample schedule Read about the Artist Faculty

During the program, Performance Ensemble dancers 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, while also exploring archival materials that align with personal dance interests.
  • 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.

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. 

Open the sections below to apply

Deadlines

2026 Musical Theatre Application Deadlines & Notifications

Jan 26 at 11:59pm EST | Priority Deadline | $45 processing fee
Feb 23 at 11:59pm EST | Regular Deadline | $50 processing fee
After Feb 23 | Rolling Basis* | $55 processing fee

Acceptd offers financial assistance for applicants who meet Application Fee Waiver requirements. Application Fee Waivers are subject to approval by the Acceptd Support team and are granted based on proper documentation, when provided in advance of an application submission. Contact Acceptd Support when setting up your portal.

*Applications submitted past Feb 23 are reviewed on a rolling basis by Program Directors, Artist Faculty, and School staff. Admission status is sent by email if space is available.

Looking for a discount to a Jacob’s Pillow 360 Workshop in 2026?
Submit your application by the priority deadline, and you’ll receive a $5 discount code for a 360 workshop in your area! It’s your chance to connect with Jacob’s Pillow Artist Faculty and Alumni in a city near you.

Application Materials

Click BEGIN YOUR APPLICATION to access Acceptd, our application portal. Review the Application Guidelines there to ensure your submission is complete. Only complete applications are considered. Scholarship applications must be submitted with your program application.

For assistance, contact [email protected].

Required Program Application Materials

1. Audition Video

Footage must be clear and recent (preferably shot within three months, or as close as possible). Media-enhanced, highly edited, or promotional videos are not accepted. Adjudicators prefer one concise video with a table of contents. Multiple videos are acceptable if contents are properly identified. Accepted file types: MP4, M4V, AVI, FLV, MOV, WMV, MPG, MPEG, M2V, MKV, and WEBM.

  • Verbal self-introduction (1 minute maximum)
    • Your name and current affiliation
    • Why this program is important for you this year
    • What you are showing on your reel
    • Any context about your footage (title/choreographer(s) of performance footage, why footage date is not as preferred, etc.)
  • Technique sampler (8 minutes maximum) Tailor the video to your strengths and training; demonstrate your technique in the foundational genre(s) you train in.
    • Center floor and across-the-floor combinations should include a demonstration of proficiency in your techniques such as isolations, travel steps, grooves, footwork, technical tap work, extensions, balances, turns, jumps, and leaps. If you use heels or other footwear in your preferred genre(s), include work in this footwear.
    • Vocal work: Sing 16 bars of two songs, from either standard or contemporary musical theatre works, using only your video’s camera microphone.
    • Spoken work: Monologue or spoken word of your choice (1 min)
  • Performance sampler (8 minute maximum)
    • 2-3 variations, improvisations, and/or repertory excerpts
    • 30-second freestyle movement, and include a “speciality” move or dance if applicable. Show off your strengths as a dancer (street or popular dance styles, body percussion, mime, fire twirling, Cyr wheel, jump rope, etc.)
    • In-studio footage is preferred over performance footage
    • If performance or group footage, clearly identify yourself
    • Identify names of works and choreographers
    • Excerpts should demonstrate a range of dynamics, levels, tempos, and styles

2. Written Statement (500 words or less)

  • Influences on your current dance work and artistic goals 
  • Career aspirations and experiences desired to reach your goals
  • How you envision this program shaping your artistic identity

3. Résumé/C.V.

4. Photos

  • Headshot (required)
  • Dance Shot (optional)

5. If 17 or younger, a Letter of Recommendation may be requested

  • You will be asked to list the name, title, phone, and email of a dance teacher or artist who has agreed to recommend you
  • If contacted, they should be prepared to address the following:
    • Your technical and performance artistry
    • Your stamina to participate in rigorous, professional-level classes, rehearsals, performances before the public, and evening responsibilities
    • Your ability to live and work responsibly as a professional in a diverse artist community
Fees & Scholarships, Participation Requirements & Policies
  • Read Program Fees & Scholarships for program costs and all scholarship opportunities.
    • The Scholarship Application is found within the Program Application and must be submitted with your application.
    • If you are a dependent, all financial information provided must be for your parent/guardian(s).
    • U.S. and international dancers are eligible for scholarship awards.
    • For assistance, contact [email protected].
  • Read Participation Requirements & Policies for important eligibility details.