atlasmb
Though I have seen many dance performances, I never had the pleasure of visiting Jacob's Pillow. This film explained what, in part, I was missing.Never Stand Still starts with the origin and early history of the performance center and school that would become a significant cultural center dedicated to dance in all its forms. Over the years, the focus of the center grew from a concentration on modern dance to embrace all variations of dance, and the music that accompanies.Using archival footage, Never Stand Still reminds us of the cultural debt we owe the pioneers of dance in America, from Ruth St. Denis and Ted Shawn to Paul Taylor. These film pieces are narrated by today's dance icons and others who are new to the conversation. By discussing the processes that are used at Jacob's Pillow to teach and to perform, we get a behind-the-scenes view of dance culture and an understanding of how this Massachusetts retreat fits into the fabric of American dance.I am glad this film could educate me as to the mission of Jacob's Pillow. Perhaps someday I will have an opportunity to experience it firsthand.
