Becket, Mass. — Jacob’s Pillow, one of the most iconic and historically significant dance centers in the United States, has announced the cancellation of the remainder of its 2025 season following a fatal workplace accident. The decision halts performances at the famed festival’s indoor and outdoor stages, a blow to the international dance community and to Berkshire County’s vibrant arts scene.
A Tragic Incident That Stopped the Season
On August 1, 2025, production manager Kat Sirico was working with an intern to move staging platforms on a dolly down a sloped area on the Jacob’s Pillow campus. According to officials, the load became uncontrollable, and in attempting to stop it, Sirico tripped and fell. The dolly rolled over Sirico, and the platforms followed, causing fatal injuries.
The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office has ruled the death a workplace accident. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner determined the cause of death to be blunt force trauma. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched an investigation, which remains ongoing.
The loss of Sirico, a respected leader and alum of Jacob’s Pillow, prompted an immediate pause in performances. What began as a weekend cancellation soon extended to the entire remainder of the season.
The Decision to Cancel the 2025 Season
Initially, Jacob’s Pillow canceled performances for the weekend of August 1–3. On August 5, leadership announced that all remaining events through the planned season end date of August 24 would be canceled.
In a public statement, Executive and Artistic Director Pamela Tatge expressed that the decision was made “out of deep respect for Kat’s memory, the well-being of our staff, and the time needed to process and grieve this tremendous loss.”
Ticket holders are being contacted via email and offered options for refunds or to donate the value of their tickets to support the organization’s future programming. Many patrons, especially long-time supporters of the Pillow, have already indicated their willingness to contribute as a way of honoring Sirico’s legacy.
The Historical Significance of Jacob’s Pillow
Jacob’s Pillow is not just a performance venue it’s a living archive of American dance history. Founded in the 1930s by modern dance pioneer Ted Shawn, the Pillow became a place where groundbreaking work in dance could thrive. Over the decades, it has hosted legends from across the world, premiered iconic works, and nurtured the careers of countless artists.
The Pillow’s Ted Shawn Theatre, America’s first theater built specifically for dance, has stood as a testament to the art form’s importance. Its Henry J. Leir Stage, the famed outdoor stage that looks out over the Berkshire hills, has long been a favorite for both artists and audiences.
I have always admired how beautiful that outdoor stage is watching performances there, whether in person or through streamed broadcasts, feels like dance and nature are moving together in perfect harmony. The way the sunset light falls across the stage is something unique to the Pillow, a reminder that art can be shaped as much by its surroundings as by the movement itself.
A Site That Has Faced Loss Before
This is not the first time Jacob’s Pillow has had to navigate a season-altering loss. In November 2020, the Doris Duke Theatre, one of the campus’s central performance spaces, was destroyed in a devastating fire. The loss of the theater was a major blow, not only for the organization’s ability to present work but also for the memories tied to the space.
In the years since, Jacob’s Pillow has worked tirelessly to rebuild and reimagine its spaces while maintaining its programming. The organization’s resilience after the fire demonstrated its deep connection to the dance world and its community of supporters.
Other Recent Moments in the Dance World
The Pillow’s cancellation comes during a year already full of transformative moments in dance. From Misty Copeland’s retirement (read more here), which marked the departure of one of ballet’s most influential figures, to national conversations on arts funding and its economic impact (read more here), the performing arts community has been navigating both triumphs and challenges.
For more dance world news (read more here).
Economic and Community Impact of the Cancellation
The decision to cancel the rest of the season will ripple beyond the Pillow itself. The festival draws thousands of visitors each summer, boosting the local economy through hotels, restaurants, and tourism. The cancellation will inevitably impact these businesses during what is typically their busiest time of the year.
However, the organization is better positioned than many to weather the financial loss, thanks to a strong endowment and recent successful fundraising efforts. In the wake of the Doris Duke Theatre fire, Jacob’s Pillow demonstrated an ability to rally resources and support quickly, a resilience that may help sustain it through this tragedy.
Remembering the People Behind the Performances
While the spotlight often falls on the dancers and choreographers, incidents like this remind us of the essential contributions of production teams, stagehands, and technical staff. These individuals ensure that performances happen safely and seamlessly, often working long hours in physically demanding roles.
Kat Sirico was one of those vital behind-the-scenes leaders. Her dedication to the Pillow and her impact on its productions will be felt long after this season.
Moving Forward
Jacob’s Pillow leadership has stated that the remainder of 2025 will be devoted to supporting staff, addressing safety procedures, and preparing for the future. The OSHA investigation will likely inform updated safety protocols to prevent similar incidents.
The organization’s history suggests it will return with renewed purpose. The legacy of Ted Shawn, the memory of the Doris Duke Theatre, and the beauty of the Leir Stage remain guiding forces. Audiences around the world will be looking forward to the Pillow’s return, knowing that when it does, it will carry with it the memory of those who shaped it, on stage and behind the scenes.
Closing
Jacob’s Pillow’s 2025 season will be remembered not for the performances that graced its stages but for the loss that silenced them. As the dance world mourns the passing of Kat Sirico, it also reflects on the fragility of the systems and people who make art possible.
The cancellation underscores that even in places dedicated to beauty and artistry, safety and the well-being of those who create it must come first. The Pillow’s leadership has made it clear that they will honor Sirico’s legacy by carrying those priorities forward into future seasons.
Happy Dancing,
Taylor B.
