Joffrey Ballet's Winning Works Competition: Inside the PBS Documentary

Julia Wagner · 2026-09-18

If you follow the dance world, you've probably heard whispers about Joffrey Ballet's Winning Works competition. It's one of those events that quietly shapes careers. And now, a new PBS documentary is pulling back the curtain. ### What Is Winning Works? Winning Works is an annual competition that gives emerging choreographers a rare shot: the chance to create a new work on a major ballet company. It's not just about winning a prize. It's about getting real stage time, real dancers, and real feedback. The competition focuses on choreographers of color, a group that's historically been underrepresented in ballet. Joffrey's commitment here isn't just talk. They put resources behind it. ### Inside the Documentary The PBS film follows several choreographers as they prepare for the big showcase. You see the late nights, the doubts, the moments when a movement finally clicks. - You watch them work with Joffrey dancers, who bring decades of combined experience. - You see the pressure of a premiere, where every step is judged. - You hear the choreographers talk about what it means to have this platform. It's not a glossy highlight reel. The documentary shows the messy parts too. And that's what makes it worth watching. ### Why It Matters for Dance Studios If you run a dance studio or teach classes, this documentary is more than entertainment. It's a teaching tool. For one, it shows young dancers what goes into creating a piece from scratch. They see that choreography isn't magic. It's work. Lots of it. > "Choreography is about making choices. And sometimes, the best choice is to throw out what you did yesterday." — a sentiment echoed by several choreographers in the film. Second, it highlights the importance of mentorship. The choreographers in Winning Works don't work in a vacuum. They have mentors, peers, and dancers who challenge them. That's a model any studio can adopt. Pair advanced students with younger ones. Let them create together. The results might surprise you. ### How to Use This in Your Studio - Host a screening night. Invite students and parents. Then lead a discussion. - Assign a choreography project. Give students a theme, a time limit, and a cast. - Bring in a guest choreographer. Even a local one can offer fresh perspective. The documentary also raises a bigger question: who gets to tell stories in dance? Winning Works answers by amplifying voices that are often ignored. Your studio can do the same, one class at a time. ### The Bottom Line Joffrey's Winning Works isn't just a competition. It's a statement. And the PBS documentary captures that statement in all its messy, beautiful reality. So whether you're a choreographer, a teacher, or just someone who loves dance, set your DVR. This is one you'll want to watch more than once.