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Massachusetts

The Berkshires: Tanglewood & Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival

Program No. 14963RJ
Discover the artistic traditions of the Berkshires and feel like a Tanglewood insider, experience the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and enjoy the renowned summer theater performance.
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Music FestivalsTheaterMusic AppreciationDance
Length
6 days
Rating (4.93)
Activity Level
Starts at
2,249
Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. Read More.
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals ( 5B, 4L, 4D )
7 expert-led lectures
4 expert-led field trips
5 performances
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
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Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m. Remember to bring your nametag (sent previously).
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 3:00 p.m. After you have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any up-updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Your program materials will be sent to you a few days before the program, digitally, through your roadscholar.org account. This includes your program itinerary, any related handouts, and restaurant/free time suggestions. Please plan to print them out and bring along to the program, utilize the hotel's business center to access them, or view them on your own personal electronic device. Orientation: 4:30 p.m. The Group Leader will greet everyone with a warm welcome and lead introductions. We will review the updated program schedule and any changes, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer any questions you may have. Knowledgeable group leaders, along with local experts, will provide educational content during your program. Program-related travel and transfers will be via private bus. Free time is reserved for your personal independent exploration. Please be aware that program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
Get to know your fellow Road Scholar participants with a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
Join a discussion lead by a theater faculty member about the show to be seen Tuesday, as well as insight into shows available on Thursday night during free time. (Participants interested in attending performances on Thursday's free evening or on nights pre- or post-program must arrange their own transportation and ticketing. Please see Day Four for additional details.)
Activity Note
Roughly 3 hours of standing and walking at museums; walking up to a couple of blocks at night, some stairs
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
We will depart the hotel by motor coach for a morning of discovery at The Mount, the former home of renowned American author Edith Wharton. A docent will guide us through the house, showcasing Wharton’s life, remarkable achievements, and lasting legacy. Edith Wharton, author of The Age of Innocence, Ethan Frome, and The House of Mirth, was the first woman to receive the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and to be granted full membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters. After the guided exploration you will have time to wander through the museum on your own.
Lunch:
At the museum.
Afternoon:
Upon our return to the hotel, you will have a bit of free time. Take these opportunities for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
This evening enjoy a performance: The Berkshire Theater Group presents Out of Character at The Unicorn Theatre
Activity Note
Walking a few blocks at Jacob's Pillow over gravel and wood-chip pathways, uneven, grassy terrain at night following performance
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
Theater review lecture with our expert theater faculty member, followed by a class on contemporary dance with Andrea Borak - you might even get the chance to try some moves! Andrea will also discuss what we will see at Jacob's Pillow later today.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
We will board our coach and journey to Becket, home of the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. Upon arrival we will receive a tour of the grounds and learn about the history and legends of the Pillow.
Dinner:
Picnic dinner at Jacob's Pillow
Evening:
Following dinner, weather permitting, enjoy a pre-show performance at the outdoor Henry J. Leir theater. Next, tune in for a pre-performance talk by a Pillow staff expert. This evening enjoy a dance performance at Jacob’s Pillow's Ted Shawn theater: Stephen Petronio Company
Activity Note
Full day with more than 6 hours away from the hotel; walking an estimated distance of 2 football-fields over grassy terrain and roughly paved paths with slight inclines.
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
In the morning we will have a class review of Jacob's Pillow Wednesday performance with dance expert Andrea Borak. Next, we will prepare for tomorrow night's BSO concert with a class led by a local professor.
Lunch:
At hotel.
Afternoon:
We will depart via motorcoach for Tanglewood. We will be escorted to the Tent Club where we will take in a lecture about the weekend's programming, given by a guest speaker. Following the lecture we will enjoy a complete walking tour of the Tanglewood grounds.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you would like. Your Group Leader is happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
Free evening to explore the area or take in a performance on your own. You will be provided with a complete list of restaurants and performance options when you arrive. Here are box office numbers in case you want to make early reservations. Those attending performances must arrange their own transportation and ticketing. Ticket prices vary. Tanglewood, in Lenox: 888-266-1200. Jacob’s Pillow, in Becket: 413-243-0745. Barrington Stage Company, in Pittsfield: 413-236-8888. Berkshire Theatre Group, in Stockbridge and Pittsfield: 413-997-4444. Shakespeare & Company, in Lenox: 413-637-1199. Williamstown Theatre Festival: 413-458-3253.
Activity Note
Walking the estimated distance of 2 football-fields on grassy terrain and roughly paved paths with slight inclines; semi-lighted, in a large crowd at the end of the night
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
At Tanglewood, we will have an exclusive opportunity to be special guests of the BSO and observe their closed rehearsal in The Shed.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time.
Dinner:
A boxed dinner provided by the hotel.
Evening:
Returning to Tanglewood one last time, we will enjoy a prelude concert at Ozawa Hall followed by the Boston Symphony Orchestra concert in The Shed. Performance: Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with María Dueñas
Activity Note
Hotel checkout by 12:00 p.m.
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
This concludes our program. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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Please Note: This program has itinerary variations on certain dates.
Jul 21, 2025 - Jul 26, 2025
Jul 21, 2025 - Jul 26, 2025
Aug 04, 2025 - Aug 09, 2025
Aug 11, 2025 - Aug 16, 2025
Jul 13, 2026 - Jul 18, 2026
Jul 27, 2026 - Aug 01, 2026
Aug 03, 2026 - Aug 08, 2026
Jul 21 - Jul 26, 2025 Itinerary Differences: Tuesday: Out of Character Wednesday: Angkor Dance Troupe and Stephen Petronio Company Friday: Mendelssohn Violin Concerto with María Dueñas