Works & Process is bringing a wide-ranging lineup of dance, theater, opera and creative programming to New York and beyond this fall, with a 2026 season focused on giving audiences a closer look at how performing artists develop their work.
The fall season, announced August 4, will take place at Guggenheim New York, Manhattan West and Free Food Refettorio Harlem. Programming includes premieres, performances, participatory dance events, artist conversations and creative residencies designed to connect audiences with artists throughout the creative process.
The season begins September 9 with Gather Round: Let’s Dance!, a free outdoor series presented with Manhattan West. Every Wednesday in September at 5 p.m., New York City dancers and choreographers will highlight social dance traditions through performances, lessons and open dance parties.
At the Guggenheim, SCUFF Queer Country Dancing will return for a Works & Process rotunda dance party presented in partnership with the museum’s Member Monday program. Guests can explore the museum’s galleries before joining a participatory dance lesson and party.
October will bring a particularly distinctive collaboration to Free Food Refettorio Harlem, New York City’s only free restaurant. Across four nights, Works & Process will present pop-up performances by the MasterZ at Work Dance Family.
The programming includes The 24/7 Diner, a Works & Process commission by Black trans femme choreographer and ballroom icon Courtney “Balenciaga” Washington. Inspired by the idea of an all-night diner open to everyone, the work combines street dance and theatrical storytelling to explore chosen family, resilience and joy.
Food serves as an important theme in the production, functioning as both physical nourishment and a metaphor for community and connection.
Works & Process will also continue its artist development work through more than 25 fully funded creative residencies annually. The program spans Colorado, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee and Vermont.
The residency initiative grew from the organization’s bubble residencies created during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since its launch, Works & Process has supported more than 1,000 artists through more than 100 residencies. Several of the resulting works have gone on to receive major recognition and tour nationally and internationally, including through the U.S. State Department.
The fall season at Guggenheim New York will feature performances and conversations with organizations and artists including Paul Taylor Dance Company, KEIGWIN + COMPANY, Miami City Ballet, The Metropolitan Opera, Minnesota Opera, Washington National Opera and Santa Fe Opera.
Later in the season, Works & Process will present productions including Peter & the Wolf with Isaac Mizrahi, Dance Heginbotham and Carnegie Hall’s Ensemble Connect, as well as Princess Lockerooo’s The NutWAACKer: A Dance Concert.
General ticket sales begin August 11 through Works & Process.
With its combination of performances, residencies and audience participation, the fall season continues Works & Process’ mission of bringing the creative process out from behind the curtain and giving audiences a more direct connection to the artists shaping contemporary performance.