Inside the Pillow Lab: Nélida Tirado

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. Hailed by The New York Times as “magnificent” and “utterly compelling,” flamenco dancer Nélida Tirado is internationally recognized for her intensity, natural grace, and powerful style. In "Dime Quién Soy," Tirado embarks on a triumphant and challenging journey “dancing between cultures” in celebration of her authentic self. This non-traditional flamenco work uses music and dance to transcend and blur the lines of politics, race, and identity. Based in New York City, Tirado choreographs, performs, and teaches, earning accolades such as Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” and presenting her work at venues such as Joe’s Pub, Joyce Soho, Symphony Space, and many others including an appearance in the forthcoming film version of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical In The Heights. During her Pillow Lab residency, Tirado and collaborators will continue development on "Dime Quién Soy," an exploration of flamenco and identity that offers a prismatic perspective on politics, race, and diaspora through her own lived experience. The Pillow Lab, the Pillow’s year-round center for research and development, provides artists the crucial space and time in development, research, and technical stages of choreography-driven projects. Nélida Tirado RESIDENCY DATES: March 3-12, 2021 MOVEMENT MADE IN COLLABORATION WITH: Nélida Tirado Grace Baez Adriana Olivares Laura Peralta* Dorren Smith Eduardo Torres aka Eddie Torres Jr. *Indicates alumnus of The School at Jacob’s PIllow MUSIC: Gonzalo Grau - Composer/Pianist/Percussion/Singer Andres Vadin - Guitarist Bárbara Martínez - Singer Manolo Mairena - Singer/Percussion Marcos Lopez - Timbales/Percussion FILMING: Christopher Duggan NEL SHELBY PRODUCTION CREDITS Produced by Nel Shelby of Nel Shelby Productions Edited by Amber Schmiesing Graphic Design by Benjamin Richards Nina Gershonowitz, Project Manager Special thanks to Dr. Wendy Ziecheck for supporting this residency. Lead support for the 2020-21 Pillow Lab is provided by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. With Additional Support from: Deborah & Charles Adelman Arison Arts Foundation The Barr Foundation Harkness Foundation for Dance Christopher Jones & Deb McAlister Mertz Gilmore Foundation National Endowment for the Arts © 2021 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Inc.