If you’ve ever spent a summer evening surrounded by dancers under open skies, you probably understand why Jacob’s Pillow isn’t just a place — it’s a feeling. Tucked into the hills of western Massachusetts, it’s where movement and meaning meet. In August 2025, however, something unthinkable happened that brought everything to a stop.
So, what happened at Jacob’s Pillow? Keep reading to learn the details of a tragic accident that resulted in the sudden and heartbreaking loss of a pillar of the community of Jacob’s Pillow.
What happened at Jacob’s Pillow was confirmed to be a tragic accident.
On the afternoon of Aug. 1, 2025, something went wrong. Kat Sirico, the festival’s beloved production manager, was helping move a stack of staging platforms down a hill. They weren’t alone — an intern was with them, just another day working behind the scenes at a place built on teamwork and trust. Unfortunately, the dolly carrying the platforms got away from them. Kat tried to stop it.
According to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, Kat tripped, and the equipment rolled over them. Despite emergency efforts, they didn’t survive…