Ballet Hispánico at Jacob’s Pillow
A few weeks ago, Ballet Hispánico came to Jacob’s Pillow to celebrate their belated 50th Anniversary.
It was a belated celebration — they were supposed to perform at the Pillow in 2020, when the Festival was canceled — and it was definitely worth the wait!!
NSP has worked with Ballet Hispánico for many years, capturing student recitals for their school, filming shows in NY and the Pillow and Vail Dance Festival, we even worked with them to produce their 50th Anniversary gala online in the early months of the pandemic.
It was exciting and wonderful to see them perform for a live audience again at Jacob’s Pillow. A true celebration of 50 amazing years!!!
I hope you’ll tune into the online screening of Ballet Hispánico at Jacob’s Pillow, available on-demand through August 12! RSVP for free!!
I’ve worked with Ballet Hispánico many times over the years. And, as a matter of fact, I was working in the box office of The Joyce Theater in 1996 when I first saw the company perform live. That was way before I was a dance fan like I am now. Back then, I liked dance – I had seen a lot of dance, but I was most interested in being a part of the theater and the production. That changed when I saw Ballet Hispánico perform. I fell in love!
The company performed two pieces that have stayed with me to this day. One was titled Goodnight Paradise, and the other was a solo piece where the dancer had a bowl of water on the top of his head while doing flamenco on a ramp. I went back and saw that show each night I could that week and each time I was wowed all over again.
Since then, I’ve worked with Ballet Hispánico several times at their space in New York City, with their school at The Apollo Theater, at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and at Vail Dance Festival.
When the company came to Jacob’s Pillow for Festival 2021 to celebrate their 50th Anniversary, I couldn’t wait to make deeper connections with the artists.
I made creative portraits with a handful of Ballet Hispánico dancers, but I have to say – creating something beautiful that really meant something to Omar and Antonio and Levon and Melissa made my week. Capturing memories of their relationships and growing families is something I hold close to my heart.
I’m so grateful for Jacob’s Pillow for giving me the opportunity to make these connections. I’m feeling really good about being an artist among all of the artists who come to the Berkshires.