A tragic accident at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, Massachusetts, has claimed the life of longtime production manager Kat Sirico, 40, the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office confirmed Saturday.
The fatal incident occurred Friday afternoon while Sirico and a summer intern were moving heavy staging platforms on a dolly across the performance center’s grounds. According to the DA’s statement, the dolly began to roll uncontrollably down an incline. In an attempt to stop it, Sirico stumbled and fell. The dolly subsequently ran over them, and the platforms they were transporting fell on top.
Bystanders on site rushed to administer emergency aid, but unfortunately, efforts to revive Sirico were unsuccessful. Authorities responded to the scene at approximately 12:30 p.m. and later confirmed the incident as a workplace accident. No criminal charges are expected to be filed.
Jacob’s Pillow, a nationally renowned dance organization known for its annual nine-week summer festival, cancelled performances scheduled for August 1–3 out of respect for Sirico and the grieving community. Shows are expected to resume later this week.
In a statement shared online, Jacob’s Pillow honored Sirico as someone whose “spirit, generosity, and dedication touched the lives of many.” Sirico first joined the organization as an intern in 2005 and had since become an integral part of its technical team. Their professional experience also included work as an electrician with the Berkshire Theatre Group.
Originally from Rochester, New York, Sirico was widely respected in the regional arts and theater world. The Berkshire Theatre Group described them as “a beloved member of the arts community,” adding: “Kat’s dedication, warmth, and talent left a lasting impact on everyone they worked with. May their memory continue to shine brightly in the theaters they helped bring to life.”
The arts community across Western Massachusetts is mourning the loss of a dedicated professional whose behind-the-scenes work made live performances possible and unforgettable.
