Editor’s note: This story was updated at 11 a.m. Saturday to include additional details.
A production manager for the dance center known as Jacob’s Pillow was killed on Friday, according to a statement from Jacob’s Pillow’s Director of Marketing and Communications, Nick Kepley.
Kat Sirico was killed in a “tragic accident” that occurred outdoors at the center’s campus on the afternoon of Aug. 1, Kepley said.
Authorities were immediately notified, and an investigation by state police and the state medical examiner is ongoing, according to Kepley.
The Berkshire State Police Detective Unit responded to Jacob’s Pillow for a reported fatality at 12:32 p.m. on Friday.
A spokesperson for the Berkshire County District Attorney’s told MassLive the investigation into the incident is still ongoing but noted there would be no criminal charges.
“The events leading to the fatal incident were due to a work place accident,” the spokesperson wrote in an email on Saturday.
During the afternoon of Aug 1, both the victim, (Sirico) and an intern were moving platforms used for staging a theater at Jacob’s Pillow, according to the email. The platforms were on a dolly and as both Sirico and the intern began moving it down a sloped area, they lost control and the dolly began to roll. Sirico tried to regain control of the dolly but tripped and fell. The dolly ran over the them and the platforms fell from the dolly, landing on Sirico. Bystanders attempted to save their life, according to the email.
Additionally, a separate investigation by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is also ongoing, according to Kepley. The director provided no further information about the incident.
“Kat was an alumni of the Pillow and an essential part of our team, and their spirit, generosity, and dedication touched the lives of many,” a statement on Jacob’s Pillow’s Facebook page reads. “We are holding their family, friends, and colleagues in our hearts as we grieve together.”
All performances and events from Friday, Aug. 1, to Sunday, Aug. 3 have been cancelled.
Sirico began work at Jacob’s Pillow as a production intern in 2005, according to their LinkedIn page.
They served as an event production manager for the organization from May through August 2024. They then returned to Jacob’s Pillow in 2025 as the production manager for the Doris Duke Theater.
Sirico also worked as a production manager throughout the United States, including, but not limited to, the Children’s Theater of Madison in Wisconsin and at the Fisher Center at Bard College.
They also worked as a faculty lecturer at the University of Rochester, according to their LinkedIn.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
