When the newest work of legendary choreographer, Bebe Miller, premieres next week, its cast will be moving with a confidence and ease that only follows from hours of rehearsal.

LUMBERYARD recently worked with Miller and the 6 performers of her new work, In a Rhythm, providing that crucial time as well as tech support.

We were only able to do so with the help of Jacob’s Pillow, which provided space for the residency while our new campus in Catskill, N.Y. is under construction.

“We are grateful to collaborate with Jacob’s Pillow,” says LUMBERYARD artistic director, Adrienne Willis.

“We believe that together supporting performers, with residencies like this, will become imperative to our sustaining the field of contemporary performing arts.”

How LUMBERYARD’s residency with Bebe Miller worked

At the beginning of November, Miller and her team – including dancers, a dramaturg, a costume designer, a lighting designer and a production manager – spent a week rehearsing with us at Jacob’s Pillow in Becket, MA.

LUMBERYARD staff offered their unique expertise:

• Dramaturg, Melanie George, worked closely with Miller’s dramaturg, Talvin Wilks, pulling together various threads of the work into a cohesive production.
• Technical director, Jason Wells, tested and optimized the performance’s lighting and sound

We also provided a company manager to coordinate meals and hospitality.

A sneak peek of world class performance as it comes together

Toward the end of our week together, Bebe Miller Company delighted a small audience with a 15-minute excerpt of In a Rhythm, at the nearby home of a LUMBERYARD patron.

A heartfelt, discussion between guests and the artists about the inclusive nature of performance followed.

Finally, on Saturday afternoon, a Jacob’s Pillow audience enjoyed a preview of the work-in-progress.

About Bebe Miller

Throughout her decades-long career, Miller has been celebrated for what The Star, in Johannesburg, South Africa described as “rearranging the spatial universe – with feeling.

“Her dances carve space, dissect space, refract space. This is not a cynical encounter. Anything but.”

LUMBERYARD dramaturg, Melanie George, describes Miller as an artist who brings to life the true spirit of modern dance – that an artist reflect a fully formed artistic voice that is at once steeped in its time and wholly individual.

“Miller is a visionary and a true collaborator. She is actively challenging herself at all stages of the process,”George said. “She is also a delight to work with, she knows how to make everyone in a room feel validated.”

In a Rhythm, will premier at Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio, where Miller is a professor emerita at Ohio State University, before it comes to New York City and to Seattle, next year.