Story thread · 3 reports / 3 sources

A new PBS documentary shows the intensity and heart behind the Joffrey Ballet's ‘Winning Works’ competition

wbez.org · 4hShare

A new documentary captures the discipline, creativity and heart behind the Joffrey Ballet’s trailblazing “Winning Works” program for emerging artists historically excluded from ballet. “ Joffrey Ballet: The Next Movement ” premieres Friday at 9 p.m. Eastern (8 p.m. Central) on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app. The film was produced by Chicago-based Kartemquin Films and directed by South Sider Cam Be. It follows five choreographers over two weeks as they prepare new works featuring students from Joffrey’s Grainger Academy. The piece not only highlights the intensity of staging performances, but the personal stories of the BIPOC artists, many of whom have had to pave their own way in an art form that has, until recent years, mostly featured white dancers and choreographers. “I want you to understand the level of dedication it takes and the work these choreographers went through to get to the spaces they’re in,” said Cam Be, 44, of Bronzeville. “But also, I want you to understand that they’re

First report: Joffrey Ballet: The Next Movement — kpbs.org, 1d