Jacob’s Pillow Unveils State-of-the-Art Theater Blending Dance and Technology

Within the gallery of Jacob’s Pillow’s Doris Duke Theater last week, large screens lined the walls as part of the immersive show “Dancing the Algorithm.” Initially appearing blank, one screen came alive as a dancer began improvising before it, with the interface multiplying her movements into a fluid cascade of limbs that expanded across the white backdrop.

This exhibition explores how the human body in dance can both influence and interrogate technology, presenting a blend of surreal and captivating video art. Among the pieces, a dancer’s form transforms into landscapes such as forests, oceans, and deserts, while other works use code and blockchain technology to dictate choreographic sequences.

Rebuilt after a devastating fire in November 2020, the Doris Duke Theater reopens tomorrow as one of the most technologically sophisticated dance venues worldwide. Curated by Katherine Helen Fisher, “Dancing the Algorithm” highlights the theater’s commitment to merging performance art with advancing technology, and it will remain open throughout this year’s Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.