Illuminating the Talents of the Berkshires at Jacob’s Pillow

The artists for both the afternoon and evening shows were chosen through an open call in the spring, as part of the Pillow’s initiative to provide more exposure and performance opportunities for local and regional dance-makers.

For the evening performance, founder of Qualia Collective and Teaching Artist Fellow through the Massachusetts Cultural Council Creative Youth Development program, Scruggs, will present an excerpt from her work “Chiaroscuro,” which is designed to be performed in nature.

“Throughout the choreography process, I was inspired by being barefoot in the grass and how different surfaces affect movement patterns in the body,” she explained in a recent interview. “I considered the logistics of performing in nature and being surrounded by trees, sunlight, birds chirping, and the rustling of the wind. Nature serves as the backdrop, similar to scenery or sets on stage.”

The term “chiaroscuro” refers to the stark contrast of light and shadow often seen in Baroque art. Scruggs’ piece draws inspiration from the music and paintings of that era, while also playing with the emotional qualities associated with light and dark. The excerpt she presents at the Pillow is described as light and bouncy, featuring jumps and a sense of uplift. She was inspired by Baroque court dances and the joy of dancing with others.

Scruggs and Qualia Collective will also showcase a duet excerpted from their signature work, “Qualia,” which explores physics concepts such as time, space, and kinetic energy. This performance on the Pillow stage will create the effect of two humans appearing as tiny particles in a vast universe, dancing under the open sky.

Bell will bring his new solo piece, “Rosing,” to the Pillow. The piece was originally performed outdoors at Chesterwood in Stockbridge, Mass., the home of artist Daniel Chester French. Bell, who is the dance artist in residence at the estate, premiered “Rosing” in the Studio Garden earlier this summer.

“The outdoor setting was like a little room, surrounded by lilacs on one side and a row of peonies on the other,” Bell described. “There was a sense of quiet from the flowers, and the dance was inspired by filling that specific space and honoring that stillness.”

As with many of Bell’s works, the movement in “Rosing” is accompanied by his own poetry, which he recites while dancing. The poems explore gardening both literally and metaphorically, delving into the nurturing and lifecycle of relationships and the growth of living things. For the Pillow performance, Bell has added another layer by incorporating piano music from Felix Mendelssohn’s “Songs Without Words.”

“Jane and Fiona,” the duet performed by Mansfield and Sydney McManus, is a natural extension of their collaboration and a celebration of their individual voices after years of interpreting the work of others. Mansfield previously danced with Pilobolus Dance Theater and Compagnie Marie Chouinard in Montreal, while McManus was part of Victor Quijada’s company Rubberband.

“We felt a surge of energy working in a space that allowed us to explore our own artistic direction,” Mansfield shared. “It was incredibly exciting to create our own work. I’ve always been a vessel for someone else’s vision, so transitioning into being my own vessel was both scary and empowering.”

Structured as a collection of vignettes, the duet transitions from athletic physicality to tender, theatrical moments. While originally created for a black box theater, it retains a connection to the outdoors, as it emerged from the women’s friendship and their shared exploration of Montreal through long bike rides on bicycles named Jane and Fiona.

The natural world also serves as inspiration for Mansfield’s work in other ways. She emphasized the importance of being in the woods and hiking every day since she resides on top of a mountain in the Berkshires. The environment provides resources, recharges her creative energy, and serves as a constant source of inspiration. She believes her true nature is best experienced in nature.