Tragic Loss at Jacob’s Pillow: Production Manager Kat Sirico Dies in Workplace Accident

On August 1, 2025, the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival in Becket, Massachusetts, was struck by tragedy when Kat Sirico, the esteemed production manager, lost their life in a workplace accident. This heartbreaking incident has left the dance community reeling, prompting the cancellation of all performances and events from August 1 to August 3, 2025, and the closure of the Jacob’s Pillow campus for the weekend.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 12:31 p.m. when Sirico and a summer intern were transporting platforms used for theater staging on a dolly across the property. While navigating a sloped area, they lost control of the dolly, which began to roll uncontrollably. In a courageous attempt to regain control, Sirico tripped and fell. Tragically, the dolly ran over them, and the platforms fell, landing on Sirico. Despite immediate efforts by bystanders to provide life-saving measures, Sirico could not be saved. The Becket Police Department, Berkshire State Police Detective Unit, State Medical Examiner, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigated the incident, concluding it was a workplace accident with no criminal charges filed.

According to reports, the accident occurred around 12:31 p.m. when Sirico and a summer intern were transporting platforms used for theater staging on a dolly across the property. While navigating a sloped area, they lost control of the dolly, which began to roll uncontrollably. In a courageous attempt to regain control, Sirico tripped and fell. Tragically, the dolly ran over them, and the platforms fell, landing on Sirico. Despite immediate efforts by bystanders to provide life-saving measures, Sirico could not be saved. The Becket Police Department, Berkshire State Police Detective Unit, State Medical Examiner, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) investigated the incident, concluding it was a workplace accident with no criminal charges filed.

The loss of Kat Sirico is a profound blow to Jacob’s Pillow and the broader performing arts world. As the community mourns, we extend our deepest condolences to Sirico’s family, friends, and colleagues. Jacob’s Pillow has promised to share details about memorial plans as they become available, offering a chance for the community to come together in remembrance of a remarkable individual.

Sources:

• Berkshire Edge. (2025, August 1). Production manager killed in accident at Jacob’s Pillow. The Berkshire Edge. https://theberkshireedge.com
• iBerkshires.com. (2025, August 2). UPDATE: Jacob’s Pillow production manager dies in accident on grounds. iBerkshires.com. https://www.iberkshires.com
• MassLive. (2025, August 2). Person killed in incident at Jacob’s Pillow on Friday identified. MassLive. https://www.masslive.com
• Times Union. (2025, August 2). Jacob’s Pillow production manager Kat Sirico dies, shows canceled. Times Union. https://www.timesunion.comWWLP. (2025, August 1). Jacob’s Pillow mourns unexpected death of production manager Kat Sirico. WWLP. https://www.wwlp.com