Tiger Hands

Jacob’s Pillow welcomes Brooklyn-based artist and producer Benjamin Akio Kimitch for his Pillow debut with Tiger Hands. Inspired by his varied training in Chinese dance and intimate encounters with Peking opera, Kimitch crafts a vivid, world-building performance that honors his late mother, a Japanese American folk dancer and taiko drummer.

In Tiger Hands, Peking opera technique becomes a channel for reconnection, transformation, and personal expression. In this cosmic work, Kimitch and his collaborators draw on the experimental energy that birthed this artform, simultaneously preserving and expanding tradition. Tiger Hands is performed by Pareena Lim, Julie McMillan Castellano, and Lai Yi Ohlsen; featuring music by Claire M Singer, costumes by Carlos Soto, makeup by Michael Chua, and dramaturgy by Jeffrey Gan. A 2024 Asian Cultural Council Fellow and 2023 Bessie Award winner, Kimitch has premiered his works at The Shed, The Noguchi Museum, Danspace Project, and more.

This program also features the world premiere of a new solo, Wind Blows, performed by Kimitch and set to music by Huang Ruo.