Sommers Studio

- Becket, MA 01223

For residents of Massachusetts, particularly those familiar with the cultural vibrancy of the Berkshires, the name Sommers Studio in Becket carries a weight of history and artistic significance. More than a simple local dance hall, this building is a storied landmark deeply connected to the legacy of modern dance in the United States, forming an integral part of the world-renowned Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. It represents a piece of Massachusetts heritage where generations of dancers, choreographers, and movement artists have trained, rehearsed, and developed their craft.

The studio itself is named after Ben and Estelle Sommers, and its history traces back to the early days of the Jacob's Pillow institution. While new, larger facilities have been constructed over the years, the Sommers Studio remains a venerable and active space on the campus, continuing its original mission to support the art of movement. This facility serves as a touchstone for the rich, decades-long history of dance that has flourished in the tranquil and inspiring environment of Becket, Massachusetts. It’s a place where the art of dancing, as its primary offering, is not merely a hobby but a serious and celebrated pursuit, making it a compelling point of interest for anyone in the Commonwealth interested in the performing arts.

The Sommers Studio, ca. 1930, is a historically significant structure located in Becket, Massachusetts, within the grounds of the internationally acclaimed Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. Architecturally, the building is described as a one-and-a-half story, novelty-sided studio with an end-gable roof and a louvered cupola, possessing a vernacular charm that ties it to the Berkshires landscape. Its original construction and subsequent additions are tied directly to the development of the Pillow as a major center for dance.

Historically, the site where Jacob's Pillow now stands began to evolve in the early 1930s when dance pioneer Ted Shawn purchased the property. The first physical improvement he undertook was the conversion of the largest barn into a dance studio. The Sommers Studio, whether this original barn or an early addition, quickly became a critical rehearsal and teaching space for The School at Jacob's Pillow. This institution has consistently provided professional advancement programs in various dance forms, including Ballet, Contemporary, Musical Theatre Dance, and Tap, led by legends and luminaries of those fields. The studio's enduring purpose is the facilitation of intense, high-level dance training and rehearsal, embodying the heart of the "dance hall" type, albeit in a context of elite, non-recreational artistic development.

For Massachusetts residents, visiting the Jacob's Pillow campus—where the Sommers Studio resides—is an opportunity to connect with a global epicenter of dance. Although newer, larger rehearsal spaces have been built, the Sommers Studio is respected for its history and continues to serve vital roles, including being a backup studio for major events, ensuring the continuous flow of artistic activity on the campus.

The Sommers Studio is located on the campus of the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, MA 01223, USA. Becket is a picturesque town situated in the heart of the Berkshire Mountains of Western Massachusetts. The location is nestled among the region’s rolling hills and natural beauty, providing an inspiring and secluded setting ideal for artistic focus and creation.

As part of the Jacob's Pillow campus, the studio's accessibility is tied to the main festival grounds. While specific accessibility details for the historic Sommers Studio building itself are best confirmed directly with the Jacob's Pillow management, the general campus caters to a large influx of visitors, performers, and students each season. The campus facilities are designed to accommodate the needs of a major cultural institution, drawing visitors from across Massachusetts, New England, and the world. Visitors driving from other parts of the Commonwealth, such as the Greater Boston area or Central Massachusetts, will find Becket accessible via major state highways, typically involving a scenic drive into the Berkshires. It is recommended that visitors check the Jacob's Pillow official website for directions, parking information, and any accessibility accommodations available for the historic sections of the property before planning a visit. The peaceful, rural setting, while beautiful, requires intentional travel planning.

The Sommers Studio, as a specialized venue within a major dance institution, primarily offers services related to the professional practice and presentation of dance. Its services are focused on the core purpose of movement arts.

• Professional Dance Training and Rehearsal: Serving as a primary space for classes, workshops, and rehearsals for The School at Jacob's Pillow’s prestigious professional advancement programs.
• Specialized Dance Instruction: Historically used for intensive training in various forms, including Ballet, Contemporary, Musical Theatre Dance, and Tap, often led by world-renowned faculty.
• Choreographic Development: Providing an essential space for choreographers in residence to develop and refine new works, contributing to the global advancement of the dance form.
• Performance and Event Backup Space: Functioning as an alternative venue for lectures, performances, or classes, such as the popular Inside/Out performances, in case of inclement weather.
• Hosting Unique Artistic Events: Occasionally used for non-traditional, site-specific performances or installations, such as theatrical 'office parties' by visiting companies, showcasing its versatility.
• Historical and Architectural Interest: Serving as a visual and tangible link to the founding era of Jacob's Pillow, attracting dance historians, architects, and culturally curious Massachusetts visitors.

The Sommers Studio is distinguished by a unique set of features that combine historical significance with its ongoing artistic utility.

• Historic Landmark Status: The studio is officially documented as the Ben and Estelle Sommers Studio (ca. 1930) and is a contributing structure to the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival’s national significance, offering Massachusetts locals a chance to step into a piece of dance history.
• Architectural Character: It is noted for its charming, vernacular architecture, including its one-and-a-half story structure, novelty siding, end-gable roof, and distinctive louvered cupola, creating a unique aesthetic on the campus.
• Connection to Ted Shawn: The building is directly associated with the work of Ted Shawn and His Men Dancers in the early 1930s, forming the physical roots of the entire festival.
• A Center for 'Dancing': The core offering is high-level 'Dancing,' meaning it’s a facility built specifically for the demanding physical practice of professional dance, ensuring a dedicated and optimal environment for movement.
• Proximity to Pilates History: The Becket area holds fascinating connections to Joseph Pilates, who had a nearby property and taught at the Pillow, adding a layer of movement history surrounding the studio itself.
• Berkshires Location: Its scenic location in Western Massachusetts provides an inspiring, natural environment that is renowned worldwide for fostering artistic creation and retreat.
• Used by World-Class Artists: For nearly a century, the studio has been graced by the presence and work of countless legends and luminaries of the dance world, imbuing the space with an irreplaceable artistic energy.

Since the Sommers Studio is a specific venue within the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival campus, the most reliable way to find out about its usage, access, and specific programming is through the main organization. Direct contact details for the studio building itself are not typically provided, as it is managed centrally.

Address: Becket, MA 01223, USA (The general address for the Jacob's Pillow campus)
Phone: Contact the main Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival general line for inquiries. Specific phone numbers vary by department (Box Office, Administration). Massachusetts residents should look up the current main contact number on the official Jacob's Pillow website for accuracy.

Any administrative or rental inquiries related to the Sommers Studio, or questions about attending classes or performances held there, must be channeled through the Jacob's Pillow organization.

Choosing to engage with the Sommers Studio—whether as a visiting artist, a student of The School, or a culturally engaged Massachusetts visitor—means embracing a profound connection to the history of American dance. Unlike a typical community recreation center or commercial dance studio, the Sommers Studio offers a sense of heritage and artistic sanctity. It is one of the original structures where the vision of Ted Shawn materialized, transforming a Massachusetts farm into a global dance mecca.

For those in the Commonwealth passionate about the arts, visiting the site provides a tangible link to the past. The studio’s historic architecture and the knowledge that major figures in dance have worked and sweated within its walls offer an experience that cannot be replicated. Moreover, the studio continues to play an important role in the campus’s daily life, serving the next generation of professional dancers through The School at Jacob's Pillow.

The Becket location, set against the backdrop of the beautiful Berkshires, also provides a powerful incentive. This region of Western Massachusetts is celebrated for its cultural institutions, and Jacob's Pillow, with the Sommers Studio as one of its foundations, is a cornerstone of this reputation. Therefore, choosing to explore this "dance hall" is choosing to participate in a piece of living history, support a national treasure, and witness the art of 'Dancing' at its highest level in one of the most aesthetically pleasing and historically rich settings in all of Massachusetts.

Sommers Studio

Becket, MA 01223, USA