It is now my second week as an intern at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, Massachusetts. In a short amount of time, I have learned a lot and I want to share my journey as I continue to grow even more through this experience.
Where in the world am I?
According to their website, Jacob’s Pillow, affectionately known as “the Pillow”, is “a treasured 220-acre National Historic Landmark, a recipient of the prestigious National Medal of Arts, and home to America’s longest-running international dance festival.” Each summer, a 10-week international dance festival is hosted at the Pillow, featuring all types of dance.
With these titles and accolades, it may come as a surprise that Jacob’s Pillow is kind of in the middle of nowhere. That is part of the beauty of the Pillow though; it serves as a retreat, a type of safe haven, where dancers are free to explore their artistic potential without the distractions of everyday life.
This site, located in the woods on top of a mountain, also serves as the home of seasonal staff and interns. I, along with 31 other interns from all over the world, live in cabins that overlook the beautiful landscape of the mountains. A favorite pastime of ours is to watch the sunset!
What in the world am I doing?
Now, you may wonder: What in the world am I doing up on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere for an entire summer?
I am a Patron Services Intern, which means I make sure that every Pillow patron has a positive experience. I’ll be learning valuable skills in the box office, as well as front-of-house in the theaters.
When in the world does the festival start?
The 2022 festival kicks off on June 18th with the 90th-anniversary gala. However, we have been in all-hands-on-deck mode preparing for this since May 24th. With only a couple of weeks to go until the gala, I can’t wait to see all the hard work and preparation pay off soon!
Comments