Inside Works & Process Fall 2025: NYCB, ABT, Joffrey and More Take the Stage

The Works & Process Fall 2025 season is set to launch on September 3, offering audiences a rare chance to peek behind the curtain at some of the world's leading ballet companies. Known for blending performance with conversation, the series has become a staple of New York's cultural calendar, turning the iconic Guggenheim Museum and other regional venues into laboratories for creativity and dialogue.

Five Ballet Powerhouses, One Season of Innovation

This fall's lineup brings together five major institutions: New York City Ballet (NYCB), Dance Theatre of Harlem, American Ballet Theatre (ABT), San Francisco Ballet, and the Joffrey Ballet. Each will showcase not just polished performances but the often unseen process of creation—how a piece moves from studio rehearsal to full-scale production.

The format, a mix of live performance and discussion, has long given Works & Process its reputation as the "artist's workshop for the public." For dance lovers, it's a rare chance to see choreographers, dancers, and designers demystify their art in real time.

A Standout Collaboration: Jamar Roberts and Iris van Herpen

Among the season's most anticipated events is a new commission for NYCB by Jamar Roberts, celebrated choreographer and former resident choreographer at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Roberts' work often merges social themes with bold physicality, and this latest piece is no exception.

Elevating the project even further is a collaboration with visionary Dutch designer Iris van Herpen, whose futuristic fashion creations have dressed stars like Beyoncé and Björk. Known for blending haute couture with cutting-edge technology, van Herpen will design the costumes for Roberts' new ballet. The pairing promises to blur the lines between fashion, movement, and performance art in ways that could redefine the aesthetics of ballet on stage.

Expanding Beyond the Guggenheim

While the Guggenheim Museum remains the home base for Works & Process, the Fall 2025 season will also reach universities and regional venues, expanding access to audiences beyond New York. The outreach aligns with Works & Process' mission of education and engagement, creating opportunities for students and communities to interact directly with world-class artists.

A Season for Dance Enthusiasts and the Culturally Curious

From the elegance of San Francisco Ballet to the trailblazing work of Dance Theatre of Harlem, each program is designed to show not just what ballet is—but what it can become. By spotlighting process as much as product, Works & Process positions itself as a vital bridge between artists and the public.

As ballet companies experiment with new narratives, technology, and collaborations, the Fall 2025 season offers a roadmap for where the art form is heading. For anyone passionate about dance, fashion, or the future of live performance, this is the season to watch.