Jacob’s Pillow | Crystal Pite Photo Essay

Crystal Pite at Jacob’s Pillow

Last week I shared a batch of photos from Kidd Pivot‘s exceptional performances at Jacob’s Pillow’s Doris Duke Theatre. I remember photographing Kidd Pivot’s Lost Action at Jacob’s Pillow in 2009, and most of what comes to my mind when recalling that performance was how dark it was. Dark lighting. Dark backdrop. An opening with the dancers in dark hooded costumes. I remember struggling with the darkness trying to get a shot.

The show Kidd Pivot’s director and choreographer Crystal Pite brought last week to the Pillow was titled Dark Matters. How much darker could it get? And what’s up with Crystal being so dark?

This was the first time in my six Pillow seasons that I was brave enough to ask an artist to collaborate with me on a photo essay and a portrait. Crystal accepted my offer. Now how was I to capture this dark spirit that I thought Crystal must be?

Well, turns out I didn’t have to. I was completely wrong.

Crystal won this year’s Jacob’s Pillow Award and is just brilliant. I spent a considerable time shadowing her – catching moments of artistic direction in rehearsal and dance discussions at a PillowTalk and Post-Show Talk.

My idea for her portrait came when I heard that she was here with her partner Jay and their beautiful 6 ½ month old son. Knowing how much light and joy my own daughter brings to our lives everyday, this was the perfect flip side to all things dark.

Crystal with her family

Directing rehearsal at the Duke

Participating in a Post-Show Talk led by Philip Szporer

And The School at Jacob’s Pillow’s Students Samba Alongside

One of the coolest things about Jacob’s Pillow is its intimate, relaxed and homey vibe. There’s this incredible depth and richness in the work happening at The Ted Shawn, The Doris Duke, Inside/Out and The School. The School and the performing companies are units amongst themselves, and they may not have much opportunity to overlap. But as festival photographer, I’m there to cover everything.

So while Crystal Pite was working hard with her company for their Doris Duke performances, I was also able to check up on the Samba students at The School. Directed by Jomar Mesquita of the fabulous Brazilian dance company, Mimulus, the Samba students were a blast to photograph. And musicians Rodrigo Torino on guitar, Gustavo Grieco on percussion and Leonardo Brasilino on a brand new trombone kept the dancers’ feet movin’ and groovin’.

Students rehearse with Jomar Mesquita

Rehearsing on Inside/Out stage

Leonardo Brasilino on trombone

The musicians jam on Inside/Out

Expert partnering on Inside/Out

WHAT JACOB’S PILLOW DANCE PHOTOS DO YOU WANT TO SEE THIS SUMMER?

I’ll be blogging about my work at Jacob’s Pillow every Friday this summer. Please let me know if you’d like to see something specific – your favorite choreographer behind the scenes, a peek backstage, etc. – and I’ll do my best to deliver.

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christopherduggan.com | studio@christopherduggan.com | (888) 379-1359

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