The Berkshires: Tanglewood & Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival
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At a Glance
What You'll Learn
- Attend a closed rehearsal by the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, and take an evening BSO concert in The Shed.
- Enjoy a performance by one of the area’s widely renowned and reviewed theater companies, such as Barrington Stage Company, Berkshire Theatre Group, Williamstown Theater Company or Shakespeare & Co.
- Take in two performances at the world-famous Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival and enjoy pre- and post-performance insight from an experienced contemporary dancer.
General Notes
Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.
- 2024
- 2025
- Jul 08 - Jul 13
- Jul 22 - Jul 27
- Aug 05 - Aug 10
- Aug 12 - Aug 17
- 2024
- 2025
- Jul 08 - Jul 13
- Jul 22 - Jul 27
- Aug 05 - Aug 10
- Aug 12 - Aug 17
Activity note: Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon: Program Registration begins at 3:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to meet the Group Leader and confirm orientation time and place. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. 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 theatre faculty member about the play to be seen Tuesday, as well as insight into the faculty's opinions of other plays 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 full day of exploration at the Norman Rockwell Museum. Join a docent for a guided visit. The museum is home to the world's largest collection of original Rockwell art. The American painter and illustrator is best known for the cover illustrations of everyday life he created for The Saturday Evening Post magazine for over nearly five decades.
Lunch: Boxed lunch at museum.
Afternoon: After lunch, you will have time to explore museum on your own. Upon 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: TBD
Activity note: Walking up to a few blocks at Jacob's Pillow over gravel and wood-chip pathways, uneven, grassy terrain at night following performance
Breakfast: At hotel
Morning: Theatre review class with our expert theatre faculty member, followed by class on contemporary dance, with Andrea Borak.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Coach bus trip to Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket. Tour of the grounds.
Dinner: Boxed 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: TBD
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: Morning class review of Jacob's Pillow Wednesday performance with a local expert. Music class with an expert professor to prepare for your fullest enjoyment of the BSO concert.
Lunch: At hotel.
Afternoon: Depart via motorcoach. In the Linde Center for Music and Learning at Tanglewood, we will hear a live interview with a musician or BSO staff member. The talk will be followed by an important orienteering tour of the grounds with a BSO volunteer.
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: 413-637-3353. Williamstown Theatre Festival: 413-597-3383.]
Activity note: Walking the estimated distance of 2 football-fields on grassy terrain and roughly paved paths with slight inclines; semi-lighted, in large crowd at the end of the night
Breakfast: At hotel
Morning: At Tanglewood, we will have to opportunity to be special guests of the BSO in their otherwise closed rehearsal.
Lunch: At a local restaurant.
Afternoon: Free time.
Dinner: A boxed dinner provided by the hotel.
Evening: Return to Tanglewood. Enjoy the Boston Symphony Orchestra Concert. Performance: TBD.
Activity note: Hotel checkout by 11:00 a.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!