Inside the Pillow Lab: Andy Blankenbuehler

During his residency, Blankenbuehler focused on a co-created piece, "Never Alone." Through movement, light, and projection, the world of the piece shifts from the codebreaking huts of Bletchley Park during World War II to steamy dance halls, intimate bedrooms, and the confines of submarines deep beneath the sea. The poetic potential in dance emerges from the internal struggles these characters face—codebreakers straining their minds to make sense of chaos, submarine crews deep underwater anticipating their enemy’s next move, and lovers reaching across distance, pouring their hearts and hopes into love letters. Andy Blankenbuehler was a recipient at the 2018 Kennedy Center Honors for his work on the musical "Hamilton." He is a three-time Tony Award winner for his choreography in the Broadway productions of "Bandstand," "In The Heights," and "Hamilton," for which he also received London’s Olivier Award. Other Broadway credits include "Bring It On," "9 To 5," "The People In The Picture," "The Apple Tree," "Annie," and the 2016 revival of "CATS." Most recently, Blankenbuehler co-wrote, directed, and choreographed the world premiere musical "Only Gold" at MCC Theater. He has received a Drama Desk and a Dance Magazine Award for his achievement in the theater. Blankenbuehler has served as choreographer for the Universal/Working Title feature film of "Cats," the Emmy-winning FX limited series "Fosse/Verdon," and the Lionsgate/ABC remake of "Dirty Dancing." He recently premiered his first ballet, entitled "Remember Our Song," for the Tulsa Ballet. Residency Dates: Nov 13 - 24, 2024. Directed and produced by Nel Shelby Productions. The 2024-2025 Pillow Labs received lead support from: The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation © 2024 Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, Inc. Music from the Sole’s new work is a National Performance Network (NPN) Creation & Development Fund Project co-commissioned by The Yard, Joyce Theater Foundation Inc, Works and Process, Inc., Guild Hall of East Hampton, Jacob’s Pillow, Dance Place, and NPN. The Creation & Development Fund is supported by the Doris Duke Foundation, the Mellon Foundation, and the National Endowment for the Arts (a federal agency). For more information: www.npnweb.org