Summer Tour Reflections, Part 1: Dancing Legacy at Jacob’s Pillow
Photo Jamie Kraus, courtesy of Jacob’s Pillow
This summer, Red Clay Dance Company made a powerful imprint on the historic grounds of Jacob’s Pillow — a milestone not just for our company, but for the lineage of African Diasporic dance itself. To take the stage as the first touring company from Red Clay to perform at this internationally recognized site was more than a performance; it was an act of reclamation, resistance, and celebration.
The Henry J. Leir stage — framed by the open sky and mountain breeze — became the canvas for our stories of joy, struggle, connection, and freedom. Through works like Written on the Flesh and RRMNH, our dancers offered not only choreography, but truth. Truth rooted in community. Truth rooted in Artivism. Truth spoken through the body.
Here’s what our Company Members had to say about what it meant to dance at Jacob’s Pillow:
“My experience at Jacob’s Pillow was nothing short of magical. Stepping onto that historic stage was a dream come true — it carried a sense of legacy and artistry that was truly humbling. Every moment felt special, from the way the light hit the stage to the stillness of the surrounding landscape. What made it even more memorable was the incredible crew. They were not only kind and welcoming, but also deeply attentive to every detail, making sure we felt supported and understood throughout the process. Their care and professionalism elevated the entire experience, allowing me to focus fully on the art and presence of the performance.” – Janiya Pearson
“Performing at Jacob’s Pillow as a Red Clay Touring Company member was empowering, fulfilling, and honestly a dream. I felt grateful to be a part of the history of Red Clay as the first company group to perform at the Pillow. My favorite moment was performing Written on the Flesh as I felt honored to bring Black joy, Black perseverance, and Black realities to the historic Pillow stage. This is an experience I will always cherish and take with me.” – Alex Kinard
“Performing at Jacob’s Pillow was such an unforgettable experience. As an artivist, dancing on the Henry J. Leir Stage gave us dancers a global platform to showcase our message of freedom. Continuing to amplify our stories of resistance, hope, and perseverance through movement is an indescribable experience — and it means so much to me to be a part of the Jacob’s Pillow legacy.” – Chanelle Turnbull
“Performing at Jacob’s Pillow was a dream come true! I’ve always seen so many great dancers and companies perform there. It’s like a badge of excellence for your dance career. Coming with Red Clay was just icing on the cake. As an artivist, it meant so much to share the stories of our ancestors as well as our message for today — to dance the change that we hope to see. I feel that I’m doing my due diligence as an artivist and storyteller to change, inform, or remind the audience of our message. It means that I’m dancing with a purpose. Jacob’s Pillow was a blessing to say the least.” – Chantal’ Hill
“Performing at Jacob’s Pillow was an amazing opportunity and experience that I’ve been dreaming of since beginning my professional career. And getting to perform a work with such a powerful message truly amplified my voice as an artivist. To experience and showcase dance artivism at such a historic site meant my voice could be heard from anywhere in the world.” – Amaya Arroyo
“Jacob’s Pillow was a surreal experience! Performing under a bright blue sky with the wind blowing across the stage brought new perspectives to our work. Especially for RRMNH, a piece about reconnecting and reclaiming nature, it was a blessing to be on such an iconic stage looking out over a crowd of people from all walks of life with the wind blowing back our capes and the clouds giving us shade. The staff and people at Jacob’s Pillow were also incredible! They made sure we were well taken care of and had everything we needed to perform and feel our best!” – Kylea Canada
“Performing at Jacob’s Pillow for my very first show was a powerful milestone in my journey as a dancer, artivist, and Black woman. Standing on a stage with a complex history — once rooted in cultural appropriation — I felt the significance of reclaiming that space, joining the legacy of Black and brown dancers now telling our own stories through our bodies. My debut in Written on the Flesh empowered me to connect deeply with the strength of my people and our ongoing fight to live fully in our Blackness. Waving the Pan-African flag at the end felt revolutionary — a bold start to my work as an artivist. I wasn’t just performing movement; I was embodying story, purpose, and community, uplifted by the energy of the audience and the support of my fellow dancers. I’m truly honored and excited to be part of this company, to dance alongside these incredible artists, and to tell the stories of my people through movement.” – Taylor Jackson
Photo Jamie Kraus, courtesy of Jacob’s Pillow
To perform at Jacob’s Pillow is to join a lineage. To perform as Red Clay Dance Company is to shift it — to reshape what legacy can look like when rooted in Black joy, Black brilliance, and Black movement. This moment reminded us why we do this work. Why our bodies carry more than just steps. Why Artivism is not a concept but a calling.
We’re proud of the work, proud of the artists, and proud to bring this legacy forward into Season 17.
