Compagnie CNDC-Angers/Robert Swinston makes its Jacob’s Pillow debut with work by one of the greatest artistic innovators of the 20th century as part of the worldwide Merce Cunningham Centennial celebration. The company is led by current director of the National Center for Contemporary Dance in Angers, France, Robert Swinston, a longtime dancer with the Merce Cunningham Dance Company, later assistant to the choreographer and finally director of choreography.

The program opens with archival film of Merce Cunningham at Jacob’s Pillow followed by “Suite for Five” (1953-1958), “Inlets 2” (1983), and the frolic “How to Pass, Kick, Fall, and Run” (1965), which Swinston was awarded a Bessie Award for his role as a dancer and for his participation with Cunningham and Carolyn Brown in the reconstruction of the 2003 revival. Swinston is an original trustee on the Merce Cunningham Trust, whose mission is to carry Merce Cunningham’s legacy into the future.