The summer of 1942 was the inaugural season of the Ted Shawn Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow, America’s oldest dance festival. Performances were organized around a central theme, "The American Dance." That landmark season offers inspiration for operating amidst today’s pandemic, with fascinating contrasts in addressing world culture.

The Pillow’s Director of Preservation, Norton Owen, will include rare archival films in this presentation with both historical significance and contemporary ramifications. Owen is a curator, writer, and archivist who has been associated with Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival since 1976, serving as Director of Preservation since 1990.

This program is presented by The National Arts Club.