Massachusetts
The Berkshires: Tanglewood & Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival
Program No. 14963RJ
Discover the artistic traditions of the Berkshires and feel like a Tanglewood insider, experience the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival and enjoy the renowned summer theater performance.
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Itinerary
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date.
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While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
13 meals (
5B, 4L, 4D
)
8 expert-led lectures
4 expert-led field trips
6 performances
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Welcome Dinner, Orientation
Location:
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
Meals:
D
Stay:
Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield-Berkshires
Activity Note
Hotel check-in from 3:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration begins at 3:00 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to meet the Group Leader and confirm orientation time and place. Orientation: The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.
Dinner:
Get to know your fellow Road Scholar participants with a welcome dinner at the hotel.
Evening:
Join a discussion lead by a theatre faculty member about the play to be seen Tuesday, as well as insight into the faculty's opinions of other plays available on Thursday night during free time. (Participants interested in attending performances on Thursday's free evening or on nights pre- or post-program must arrange their own transportation and ticketing. Please see Day Four for additional details.)
Day
2
Edith Wharton's Home, Free Time, Theatre Performance
Location:
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield-Berkshires
Activity Note
Roughly 3 hours of standing and walking at museums; walking up to a couple of blocks at night, some stairs
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
We will depart the hotel by motor coach for a morning of exploration at The Mount - the home of the noted American author, Edith Wharton. A docent will give us a guided tour. The Mount chronicles Wharton’s life and her remarkable achievements and legacy. Edith Wharton was the author of The Age of Innocence, Ethan Frome, and The House of Mirth. She was the first woman awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and a full membership in the American Academy of Arts and Letters.
Lunch:
Boxed lunch at museum.
Afternoon:
After lunch, you will have time to explore museum on your own. Upon return to the hotel, you will have a bit of free time. Take these opportunities for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions.
Dinner:
At a local restaurant.
Evening:
This evening enjoy a performance: TBD
Day
3
Theatre & Dance Class, Jacob's Pillow
Location:
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield-Berkshires
Activity Note
Walking up to a few blocks at Jacob's Pillow over gravel and wood-chip pathways, uneven, grassy terrain at night following performance
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
Theatre review class with our expert theatre faculty member, followed by class on contemporary dance, with Andrea Borak.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Coach bus trip to Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in Becket. Tour of the grounds.
Dinner:
Boxed dinner at Jacob's Pillow
Evening:
Following dinner, weather permitting, enjoy a pre-show performance at the outdoor Henry J. Leir theater. Next, tune in for a pre-performance talk by a Pillow staff expert. This evening enjoy a dance performance at Jacob’s Pillow's Ted Shawn theater: TBD
Day
4
Jacob's Pillow Review, Music Class,Tanglewood, Free Evening
Location:
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
Meals:
B,L
Stay:
Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield-Berkshires
Activity Note
Full day with more than 6 hours away from the hotel; walking an estimated distance of 2 football-fields over grassy terrain and roughly paved paths with slight inclines.
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
Morning class review of Jacob's Pillow Wednesday performance with a local expert. Music class with an expert professor to prepare for your fullest enjoyment of the BSO concert.
Lunch:
At hotel.
Afternoon:
Depart via motorcoach. In the Linde Center for Music and Learning at Tanglewood, we will hear a live interview with a musician or BSO staff member. The talk will be followed by an important orienteering tour of the grounds with a BSO volunteer.
Dinner:
On your own to enjoy what you would like. Your Group Leader is happy to offer suggestions.
Evening:
Free evening to explore the area or take in a performance on your own. You will be provided with a complete list of restaurants and performance options when you arrive. Here are box office numbers in case you want to make early reservations. [Those attending performances must arrange their own transportation and ticketing. Ticket prices vary. Tanglewood, in Lenox: 888-266-1200. Jacob’s Pillow, in Becket: 413-243-0745. Barrington Stage Company, in Pittsfield: 413-236-8888. Berkshire Theatre Group, in Stockbridge and Pittsfield: 413-997-4444. Shakespeare & Company, in Lenox: 413-637-3353. Williamstown Theatre Festival: 413-597-3383.]
Day
5
BSO Closed Rehearsal, BSO at Tanglewood
Location:
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Holiday Inn & Suites Pittsfield-Berkshires
Activity Note
Walking the estimated distance of 2 football-fields on grassy terrain and roughly paved paths with slight inclines; semi-lighted, in large crowd at the end of the night
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
At Tanglewood, we will have to opportunity to be special guests of the BSO in their otherwise closed rehearsal.
Lunch:
At a local restaurant.
Afternoon:
Free time.
Dinner:
A boxed dinner provided by the hotel.
Evening:
Return to Tanglewood. Enjoy the Boston Symphony Orchestra Concert. Performance: TBD.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Central Berkshires - Pittsfield
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Hotel checkout by 11:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At hotel
Morning:
This concludes our program. If you are transferring to another Road Scholar program, detailed instructions are included in your Information Packet for that program. We hope you enjoy Road Scholar learning adventures and look forward to having you on rewarding programs in the future. Don’t forget to join our Facebook page and follow us on Instagram. Best wishes for all your journeys!
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