Inside the Pillow Lab: Sonya Tayeh & Jenn Freeman
Inside the Pillow Lab is an intimate new film series that captures works in process and behind-the-scenes moments of what it’s like for artists to live, work, and rehearse together again in COVID-compliant residencies on the Pillow’s retreat-like campus.
"Is It Thursday Yet?" is a stimulating hybrid of theatricality and clinical analysis, a solo dance work with live musical accompaniment exploring autistic choreographer and dancer Jenn Freeman’s neurodivergent brain in motion. Diagnosed in her adulthood at age 33, Freeman’s work seeks to foster the understanding of autism for herself and others. Directed by Tony Award® winner Sonya Tayeh, "Is It Thursday Yet?" will be scored with original live music from renowned U.S. musician Holland Andrews and utilizes recordings from Freeman’s autism diagnosis sessions, with accompanying vocals, clarinet, drums, and electronic music elements. Embracing child-like surrealism, the work in development will include vibrant, colorful, and tactile scenic design by Tony Award® winner Rachel Hauck and is inspired by Freeman’s sensory sensitivities to texture, color, light, and sound. Projected footage from her childhood along with clinical information will undergo digital re-imaging and will be woven into the story, serving as a narrative.
INSIDE THE PILLOW LAB
Sonya Tayeh and Jenn Freeman
Is it Thursday Yet?
RESIDENCY DATES:
November 2-13, 2022
CO-CREATORS:
Jenn Freeman and Sonya Tayeh
PERFORMED BY: Jenn Freeman
CO-CHOREOGRAPHED BY: Jenn Freeman and Sonya Tayeh
DIRECTOR: Sonya Tayeh
COMPOSER: Holland Andrews
SCENIC DESIGN: Rachel Hauck
MEDIA DESIGN: Joseph Digiovanna
COSTUME DESIGN: Márion Talán de la Rosa
MUSICIANS: Holland Andrews and Joshua Strmic
CREATIVE CONSULTANTS: Alexander Hammer
CREATIVE ASSOCIATES: Maddy Wright, Lily Sheppard, and Holly Thiel
GENERAL MANAGEMENT: ArKtyoe – Thomas O. Kriegsmann
NEL SHELBY PRODUCTIONS
Nel Shelby, Producer & Videographer
Christopher Duggan, Videographer
Sonia Bartolomeo, Project Manager & Editor
Benjamin Richards, Graphic Animation
The 2022-2023 PILLOW LAB RECEIVES LEADERSHIP SUPPORT FROM:
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation
© 2022 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Inc.