JUNE 15 - JULY 4, 2026
at THE SPACE UPSTAIRS
PITTSBURGH, PA
THE PILLOW PROJECT
2026 INTENSIVE IMPROVISATIONAL STUDY
Develop your unique artistic presence, cultivate an informed practice,
and engage in a conscious curiosity for nuanced musicality and physical-poetry
THE PROGRAM
Since 2011, this 3-week immersive professional training program containing 100+ hours of classes and studies has been developed to foster an informed physical awareness, a committed personal practice, and a conscious curiosity in the hands-on experience of creating and engaging in professional work.
Mondays through Thursdays 10am-4pm / Fridays & Saturdays 5pm-11pm
The daily schedule includes:
- 2 hours of technique, body organization, and physical conditioning
- 2 hours of focused work in THE ELLIPSIS CONDITION improvisational study
- 90 minutes of practical labs in poetic communication, live-music labs, hands-on projection work, and company repertoire
-Open studio time for self-directed projects, filming, and practice
All students must be able to participate in all three weeks of the program.
"I’ve found the past three weeks to be incredibly healing. The Space felt less like a studio and more like a sanctuary—one that gently invited me to step fully into my “now.” It asked nothing of me but honesty and presence. Each day offered a quiet, powerful permission to dive deeper into myself—not to perform, not to impress, but simply to be, to move, to listen.
Unlike other intensives I’ve attended, this experience wasn’t about polishing technique or mastering repertory. There was no finish line, and no external standard of “excellence” to measure up to. In fact, the word “excellence” seemed to dissolve here, replaced by something far more meaningful: curiosity. A desire to explore rather than execute. To investigate rather than perfect.
As I tapped into my own curiosity, I started witnessing others do the same. There was a shared openness in the room—an unspoken understanding that we were all here to support, witness, and grow with each other. That kind of connection is rare, and it’s something I’ll carry with me long after this ends. "
— Ella Weerts
2025 Intensive Study Artist
"The past three weeks have been one of the most formative and impactful experiences I’ve ever had. As a dancer, I feel like a totally different person. I’m more confident in 'going Green', in various style and ranges of movement, in different musical circumstances. But I also feel like a different person spiritually and mentally. Something just clicked for me. I cannot express how grateful I am for being a part of this wonderful cohort of people this summer. Thank you again, words don’t do the magnitude of this experience justice."
—Jacob Cowan
2025 Intensive Study Artist
TUITION
Full tuition for the 3-week program is $900
If accepted into the program, a $100 non-refundable deposit will be due no later than March 20, 2026 to secure your spot in the program. This deposit will go toward your tuition.
Full tuition will be due no later than April 12, 2026.
Tuition is not prorated for missed program days.
Housing is not provided.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications accepted FEBRUARY 1, 2026 through midnight MARCH 1, 2026. There is no application fee.
Open to artists 18 to 26 years old.
Enrollment to the program is strictly limited to sixteen artists.
Early applications are strongly suggested.
All interested artists should apply by sending the following to study@pillowproject.org
1) A written personal artist statement expressing what most excites you about dancing and why you want to train at with The Pillow Project at The Space Upstairs: What are the mindsets and attitudes you believe would nurture the kind of collective to which you would want to belong? What is a specific goal that you want to accomplish during your time at The Space Upstairs? Example: instead of saying ‘I want to become a better dancer’, identify what you believe will contribute to making you a better dancer. (ie: working on your improvisational vocabulary; learning to be a better witness to others in class, being able to write and speak more thoughtfully about your work, etc.)
2) An accessible online link without the need for a password (YouTube or Vimeo preferred) to a recent video sample (2-4 minutes) of solo improvised movement with any music of your choosing. This video sample can be recorded informally with a phone or computer from any location, and must be submitted without any edits or filters/effects applied to the footage.
3) Include your preferred name/pronouns, contact email address and phone number.
The Pillow Project will review your application for the program and send you a notification of acceptance via email no later than March 8, 2026. Please reach out to us if you do not received a confirmation receipt after submission.
After you are accepted into the program, you will be asked to submit a $100 deposit to secure your spot in The Pillow Project 2026 Intensive Improvisational Study. Non-refundable deposits are applied to your full tuition.
If you have additional questions, please contact info@pillowproject.org or call 412-225-9269
