New PBS doc premieres Friday

Joffrey Ballet: The Next Movement airs Friday at 9 p.m. Eastern on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS app. The Chicago-based Kartemquin Films production was directed by South Sider Cam Be.

Film follows five choreographers

Over two weeks, the documentary tracks five choreographers preparing new works for the 14th annual Winning Works showcase in March 2024, featuring students from Joffrey's Grainger Academy.

Meet the five choreographers

The featured artists are Manoela Gonçalves from Rio de Janeiro, Jainil Mehta from Mumbai, Martha Nichols from Brooklyn, Xavier Núñez from Puerto Rico, and Houston Thomas from Chicago.

Houston Thomas's emotional homecoming

Chicago native Houston Thomas began as a student in Joffrey's outreach program, danced professionally in Germany, and returned to Chicago for Winning Works after his mother's death.

His ballet premieres in February

Thomas's ballet, Dear Chicago: A Love Letter, will be performed by the Joffrey Ballet as part of the Notes on Love program in February.

Program opens doors for excluded artists

Winning Works is a trailblazing program for emerging artists historically excluded from ballet, highlighting BIPOC choreographers and dancers who have had to pave their own way in an art form that traditionally featured white performers.

Director Cam Be's vision

Director Cam Be, 44, wanted to show the dedication required and the personal struggles these artists face. He said, I want you to understand that they're just human beings, and that they have life experiences and trauma that they've had to deal with.

“I want you to understand that they're just human beings, and that they have life experiences and trauma that they've had to deal with.”

Behind-the-scenes drama unfolds

The documentary captures the intensity of staging performances, including performers navigating a two-week time crunch, injuries, unconventional props, and challenging dance styles.

Director relates to the struggle

As a Black director facing barriers in his own industry, Cam Be said he related to the choreographers and sees Winning Works as a foot in the door for artists of color.

“I think the 'Winning Works' program is a foot in the door.”

Film pushes for more opportunities

Be hopes the documentary creates a larger conversation to push for more opportunities for people of color, specifically Black people and women in the arts.

Message of inspiration for all

Be hopes viewers, even those new to ballet, find inspiration to push for something they want to do in their own lives.

Joffrey continues diversity efforts

The Joffrey Ballet participated in a 2025 WBEZ/Sun-Times survey on diversity in leadership and plans to forge ahead with its diversity, equity and inclusion programs despite Trump administration criticism of arts funding.