Jacob's Pillow fest has international flavor

Jacob's Pillow is celebrating its 75th anniversary with a dance festival that gathers 20 international companies from four continents, featuring a record five US company debuts, a company world debut, at least three world premieres, and six US premieres, the company has announced.

Highlights of the season in the Ted Shawn Theatre include the following:

Nina Ananiashvili and the State Ballet of Georgia present a Pillow-exclusive program of classical ballet and contemporary work, June 20-24.

Canada's Coleman Lemieux & Compagnie performs contemporary repertoire June 27-July 1.

Nederlands Dans Theater II brings a US premiere of "Sleepless" by Jiri Kylian and other works July 4-8.

The new group Dancers of the Royal Danish Ballet, 12 leading dancers selected from the company, makes its US debut with a program including a world premiere July 11-15.

The Paul Taylor Dance Company presents a new ensemble work co-commissioned by the Pillow July 18-22.

The Brazilian contemporary dance troupe Mimulus makes its US debut July 25-29.

Switzerland's Ballet du Grand Théâtre de Genève makes its US debut Aug. 1-5.

The Mark Morris Dance Group returns for its 21st season with a repertory program set to live music Aug. 7-11.

England's Henri Oguike Dance Company makes its US debut Aug. 15-19

Hubbard Street Dance Chicago performs Aug. 22-26.

The Doris Duke Studio Theatre will host these companies:

Aurélia Thierrée , Charlie Chaplin's granddaughter, performs in the dance theater work "Aurélia's Oratorio," directed by her mother, Victoria Thierrée Chaplin, June 28-July 1.

Club Guy & Roni, a contemporary dance group from the Netherlands, makes its US debut with a work to live music July 5-8.

The US troupe Big Dance Theater presents "The Other Here," created partly during a residency at the Pillow, which synthesizes dance with live Okinawan pop songs, texts, and other sources, July 12-15.

The Australian troupe Chunky Move will perform a dance/theater/multimedia production based on an original documentary film by artistic director and choreographer Gideon Obarzanek July 19-22.

Bad Boys of Dance featuring Rasta Thomas will appear for the first time anywhere with several world premieres July 26-29.

The New York-based Reggie Wilson/Fist and Heel Performance Group, which draws on African-American traditions including spirituals, step dancing, and the blues, performs Aug. 2-5.

The troupe nathantrice/RITUALS , also based in New York, will perform Aug. 9-12.

Bridgman/Packer Dance brings a hybrid of dance and visual media Aug. 16-19.

New York's Bebe Miller Company brings multimedia work with music Aug. 23-26.

Other events include "Invisible Wings," a piece commissioned by the Pillow and based on the Pillow's history as a station on the Underground Railroad, which will be revived outdoors Aug. 20-22 and Aug. 24-25 ; a 75th-anniversary dance gala on June 16; Donna McKechnie performing in an informal benefit, "A Jazz Happening," with Pillow students Aug. 19; and a season finale benefit on Aug. 25.

Box Office opens Feb. 20. 413-243-0745. For more information, visit jacobspillow.org.