The new theatre’s design embraces the Pillow’s diverse history to create an accessible and inclusive space for dialogue, collaboration, and education. The new Doris Duke Theatre maintains the intimacy of the former studio theatre, which was lost to a fire of undetermined cause in November 2020, while incorporating a new digital backbone. The ability for the facility to adapt to different programmatic needs as well as future technical upgrades is key to the theatre’s purpose as a makerspace and digital lab and will ensure long-term resiliency and future growth.
The design allows for multi-use flexibility, so that the building can support performances, events, residencies, and more, sometimes simultaneously. The theatre seats up to 230 patrons in the main performance space, with an array of seating and stage configurations. The building features two lobbies with sliding doors, creating multiple entrances and exits. The west lobby welcomes visitors from the spacious artist quadrangle and provides a covered, naturally ventilated space for pre-show talks alongside a new exhibition area.
The east lobby serves as a warm-up and rehearsal space for artists, while also accommodating receptions and meetings as needed. This embrace of the site and nature, balanced with a desire to push the boundaries of dance, embodies the ambition for the theatre and captures the magic of performing at Jacob’s Pillow. Contributions from Indigenous artists include visual art installations, a medicinal garden with local and Indigenous plantings near the entrance, and a fire pit for gatherings and celebrations.
Jacob’s Pillow has continued to engage community members, artists, technicians, staff, Board members and Indigenous stakeholders through workshops and engagement sessions to inform the design process. The new Doris Duke Theatre restores a second indoor performance venue for Jacob’s Pillow’s annual summer Dance Festival alongside the flagship Ted Shawn Theatre. It also provides year-round studio space on the Pillow campus, complementing the Perles Family Studio, home to The School at Jacob’s Pillow and the Pillow Lab artist-in-residence programme.