NightWood
A fantastical journey through sound & light
November 17, 2023 – January 6, 2024
NightWood is an innovative and immersive sound and light experience set against the backdrop of Edith Wharton’s historic home. Wander the illuminated 3/4-mile route through the woods and gardens for an otherworldly experience that evokes wonder and awakens the imagination.
Don’t miss the FOUR new encounters this year!
The NightWood Experience
Watch the video documenting a previous installation to get a sense of the experience!
We are thrilled to announce a new dance component to this year’s fantastical sound and light experience.
Six esteemed teaching artists and choreographers from Berkshire Pulse will be on-site on December 20, 21, 22, and 23 to deliver choreographed routines at The Pool (Veronica Bone + Akinyemi Blackshear, duet); The Crossroads (Laura Coe + Liam Coote, duet); and The Stream (Shannon Nulf + Gillian Ebersole, duet). Start times will be staggered, beginning at 5:20 pm + 6:20 pm at the Pool, 5:30 + 6:30 at the Crossroads, and 5:40 + 6:40 at the Stream.
About the Dancers:
Akinyemi Blackshear
Akinyemi Blackshear earned a BFA in Dance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where they developed a diverse range of dance techniques. In 2017, Akinyemi moved to the Berkshires to intern at Jacob’s Pillow. Continuing their dedication to the arts, Akinyemi is committed to revitalizing The Kalonji Dance Project. Their dance project, with a focus on performance and community engagement, underscores their devotion to leveraging the arts as a transformative force in society.
Veronica Bone
Veronica Bone (she/her) is a dance artist born in Indiana and currently based in the Berkshires of Massachusetts. She graduated from Indiana University in 2018 with a BFA in Contemporary Dance and a certificate in Arts Administration, studying with company members of Bill T. Jones, Gallim, Batsheva, Vertigo dance companies, and others. Veronica moved to the Berkshires to work at Jacob’s Pillow and has found her way to Berkshire Pulse where she is the community and in-school program manager. Veronica is a member of the Qualia Dance Collective as well as a freelance artist and has performed at Jacob’s Pillow, the Foundry, Berkshire Theater Group, and Chesterwood, to name a few.
Laura Coe
Laura Coe is a dancer and choreographer from Los Angeles, California and Chatham, New York, and a proud member of the Chickasaw Nation. She has performed work by Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Bill T. Jones, Jill Johnson, Sidra Bell, LROD, Isadora Wolfe, and Corpi di donne, and collaborated on music videos and performance art installations, and received commissions from Choreography on the Edge, Theater Festival of Hudson, WordxWord, New England Conservatory, Analog By Choice, the Chesterwood Estate, and the Massachusetts Council for the Arts.
Liam Coote
Liam Coote has been dancing and choreographing since 2017. He graduated from Bard College at Simon’s Rock with a BA in both dance and chemistry. His main interests are flamenco and contemporary styles, with experience in ballet and hip hop. Recently he has been dancing at Berkshire Pulse and as a freelance artist. In his work, he aims to use principles of science and the natural world to bring life and beauty into movement.
Gillian Ebersole
Gillian Ebersole (they/them) is a dancer and choreographer, as well as a poet, dance writer, and researcher. Performed on stages in Los Angeles, Denver, and Paris, as well as across Berkshire County, their choreographic work merges a love for language and for movement. Gillian trained with Denver contemporary dance company Wonderbound, Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Company, Whyteberg, Gibney, and Bill T. Jones. Most recently, Gillian has performed and presented work at multiple venues in Berkshire County, including Jacob’s Pillow, The Foundry, and Chesterwood, frequently collaborating with choreographer Shannon Nulf and musician Benjamin Court.
Shannon Nulf
Shannon Nulf is a movement artist and choreographer whose work reflects her commitment to human connection and community building. She is a graduate of the University of Michigan with a BFA in Dance and minors in Movement Science and Performing Arts Management. She has performed and presented work at multiple venues in the Berkshires, including Jacob’s Pillow, The Colonial Theatre, The Foundry, and Chesterwood. Her frequent collaborators include choreographer Gillian Ebersole and musician Benjamin Court, and she has performed multiple times as a member of the Qualia Dance Collective, led by Fiona Scruggs.
If you enjoyed the soundtrack to last year’s NightWood encounters, use the button to the right to download the music for free!
Learn more about the project and the artists behind it.
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About NightWood:
Please dress for the weather! Trails may be muddy or icy at times: winter boots are recommended. NightWood is appropriate for visitors of all ages; however, due to rough terrain strollers are not recommended. Dates and times sell out; advanced purchase of timed-entry tickets is strongly encouraged. NightWood participates in the MCC Card to Culture program. -
Accessibility:
Please be aware that due to uneven terrain and stairs, accessibility is limited. NightWood is not walker or wheelchair accessible. We offer golf cart rides on select days. To book those, or if you have other questions about accessibility, please call 413-551-5100.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is your weather policy?
NightWood will be canceled in the event of unsafe or extreme weather conditions. In the event we have to cancel due to weather, we will offer a full refund. We will update the website and notify attendees of cancellations.
Can I change my date or time?
Yes. You may do so by emailing ticketbooth@edithwharton.org or calling 413-551-5107.
Are dogs allowed at NightWood?
While we love your dogs, dogs are not allowed at NightWood.
Are there any COVID protocols in place?
Please read about The Mount’s updated COVID-19 Health and Safety Guidelines here.
Is NightWood accessible for those with mobility challenges?
Please be aware that due to uneven terrain and stairs, accessibility is limited. NightWood is not walker or wheelchair accessible. We offer golf cart rides on select days. To book those, or if you have other questions about accessibility, please call 413-551-5100.
Thank you to our NightWood Community Nights sponsors:
This program is supported in part by grants from the Stockbridge, Alford-Egremont, and Pittsfield Cultural Councils, local agencies supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.