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One of two Jacob's Pillow theaters destroyed by fire
Nov 17, 2020 2:45 pm
Steve Barnes is reporting for the Times Union the Doris Duke Theatre, one of two indoor performance spaces at the 91-year-old Jacob's Pillow dance festival in Becket, Mass., was destroyed by fire early November 17. The wood structure was on fire when emergency crews first arrived at 7 a.m., and the entire building was engulfed soon thereafter, according to the account in The Berkshire Eagle. Responders battled the fire but were able to save only a sign that said "Doris Duke Theatre," the paper reported. The 619-seat Ted Shawn Theatre, named after the founder of Jacob's Pillow, was not damaged. The Doris Duke Theatre was open in 1990, and had a capacity of 230. The Duke generally showcased newer, more experimental dance ensembles or those suited its black-box-style performance space, which lacks a proscenium stage and has a wall that opens to the outside. Pamela Tatge, Jacob’s Pillow artistic and executive director said in an email, "We are heartbroken and we are relieved that no one was hurt. On behalf of everyone at the Pillow, we are grateful for the firefighters and officials who have responded so quickly to this devastating emergency on our grounds. We are grateful for the outpouring of support from around the world we have already received. We will rebuild.” Read the full story in the Times Union.