Contemporary Dance: Dancing for the Wild

vildwerk. is a nonprofit organization founded in 2022 dedicated to raising environmental conservation awareness through dance. Bringing together leading artists, conservation organizations, such as World Wildlife Fund (WWF®), and cultural institutions, vildwerk. creates performances and public events that inspire action and deepen engagement with urgent ecological issues. Through collaborations with performing and visual artists from companies including New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, The Royal Ballet, and Martha Graham Dance Company, vildwerk. translates environmental realities into powerful live performance. 

Since its incorporation, vildwerk. has presented two sold-out New York City seasons: in 2024 at El Museo del Barrio and in 2025 at New York Live Arts. Its commissioned works have also been presented at events across New York City and internationally at the Ballet Icons Gala in London, England. It is an honor for vildwerk. to present an evening of works at Bryant Park’s Summer Stage on June 5, 2026. On January 21, 2027, vildwerk. will present its first Dancing For The Wild gala at New York City Center.

Chiara Gorodesky is a German-born English solicitor, conservation advocate, and performing arts executive based in New York City. She is the Founder of vildwerk. Her work bridges world-class artists with leading conservation partners. In addition to her philanthropic engagement with cultural and environmental initiatives, including The Ballet Association in London, Chiara was recently honored with the Outstanding Contribution to Ballet Award at the 20th Anniversary of the Ballet Icons Gala at the London Coliseum.

"Rock", "Ritual", "Earth", "Tree", "Ritual 2", "Gaia" 

The Moss project is an awakening that seeks to bring awareness through dance to the current global environmental crises that threatens the existence of all life on our planet. Buglisi honors Potawatomi author and botanist Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer whose “Gathering Moss” draws on the wisdom of indigenous ways of knowing and scientific knowledge for the sustainability of humanity through the practice of reciprocity.  This variation of the Moss Anthology is especially created for vildwerk., Buglisi celebrates composer Jeff Beal and projection designer Wendall Harrington, who invited BDT to be in residence at the Yale School of Drama.

“It is an enlightening experience working with film composer Jeff Beal, whose films illuminate social and environmental issues. We began our collaboration while BDT was in residence at UCSB during the very tragic time of mudslides and wildfires in Southern California near his home at the time. He is a true humanitarian.” – jb

Choreography by Jacqulyn Buglisi
Performed by artists of Buglisi Dance Theatre: Lauren Jaeger, Lindsay Jordensen, Isabella Pagano, Kate Reyes, Ane Arrieta, Grace Sautter, Ashley Bromfield, Emelyn Urdahl (Apprentice)

Commisioned score by Jeff Beal
Costumes by A. Christina Giannini
Rehearsal direction by Jessica Sgambelluri

A contemporary ballet inspired by the power, elegance, and mystique of the black panther. The work explores themes of vigilance, solitude, and strength. The choreography shifts between stealth and explosive physicality, capturing both the ferocity and grace of the animal spirit it evokes.

Choreography by Bradley Shelver
Performed by artists of Joffrey Concert Group: Annika Davis, Sydney Williams, Sophia Shane, Emma Rosay, Andrea Mendoza, Leo Freude, Pearl Madnick, Jake McCullough, Josh McCooey, Charlie Klepner, Nicolas Pacholoc, Andrew Kah

Music by Bryce Dessner, Teho Teardo, and Gabriel Prokofiev
Costumes by Erica Johnston

"Intersections of Life" was choreographed for Chattanooga Ballet's 50th anniversary. Choreographer Ingrid Silva was inspired by how we interact with each other in our lives. The classical music, set ot an original score by Brazilian composer Leandro Albuquerque, makes the movement feel effortless and powerful, like waves. It imagines us as water, navigating our own intersections and journeys.

Choreography by Ingrid Silva
Performed by Ariana Dickerson, Amar Smalls, Vinicius Freire, Thierry Blanchaard, Joshua Ponton and Eunhye Darbouze

Music by Leandro Albuquerque
Costumes by Haley Warner

“A long bus ride in Mexico took me to a butterfly sanctuary in the state of Michoacán. It was mesmerizing to see the sky become filled with butterflies. I was there for at least three hours quietly taking in this extraordinary beauty. I love that there are no borders for butterflies. Being based in NYC I’m a snowbird and I too ‘migrate’ to warmer climates in Mexico, Central and South America each winter. I feel a kinship with these butterflies, - their need for sunshine and warmth.” - Henning Rübsam

Choreography by Henning Rübsam
Performed by artists of Joffrey Concert Group, Solenn Etienne, Maximilian Tenenbaum, Julia Grady, and Valentina Rudkhevich

Music by Johann Sebastian Bach - "Prelude No. 1 in C Major" (from BWV 846), "Prelude and Fugue No. 3 in C Sharp Major" (BWV 848)
Costumes by David Quinn

Antonia Franceschi’s new duet, created for and in collaboration with vildwerk., is inspired by conservation efforts protecting the jaguar. Moved by the groundbreaking work preserving and recovering the world’s northernmost population of the jaguar through the Northern Jaguar Project, and by the historic story of Miní — a wild-born female jaguar from Argentina’s Iberá National Park who made history in 2025 as the first wild jaguar translocated for conservation as part of a major Rewilding Argentina initiative to strengthen genetic diversity in the Gran Chaco ecosystem — the ballet explores instinct, loss, resilience, and hope for the return of a species and its fragile ecosystem through an emotionally charged physical dialogue.

Choreography by Antonia Franceschi
Performed by Alexa Maxwell and Victor Abreu

Music by Ezio Bosso

"When The Water Breaks" explores the profound connection between the ever-shifting temperament of the ocean and the emotional landscapes of humanity. Through sweeping movement and musical fluidity, the ballet reflects the oceans dual nature - its serenity and its storms - as a mirror of our own inner tides.

Choreography by Bradley Shelver
Performed by artists of Joffrey Concert Group: Annika Davis, Sydney Williams, Sophia Shane, Emma Rosay, Andrea Mendoza, Leo Freude, Pearl Madnick, Jake McCullough, Josh McCooey, Charlie Klepner, Nicolas Pacholoc, and Andrew Kahl

Original score by David K. Israel
Costumes by Erica Johnston

Bryant Park lends out hundreds of free blankets on a first come, first served basis, or bring your own cotton or fleece blanket. To protect the lawn, please do not sit on waterproof materials such as plastic tarps, yoga mats, or inflatable chairs. 

Take a seat in one of the pre-set chairs on the lawn or grab a chair from the gravel. You can use a chair anywhere on the lawn except for the center lawn blanket zone. 

Purchase food and drinks from tents on the east side of the lawn or bring your own picnic. Look for Stout NYC and Heaster Street Fair vendors, and be sure to visit the Bryant Park Shop, too!

Visit the Bryant Park Shop tent for exclusive Picnic Performances merchandise and more.

Find a parachute, hula hoops, and more fun on the east side of the lawn at select events. 

Dogs are welcome on the gravel and bluestone, but not on the lawn.

Performances are cancelled when it is unsafe to be outdoors. In some cases, the lawn may be too wet to open but the performance may continue. Follow @bryantparknyc for day-of event updates. You can also check the lawn status on the bryantpark.org homepage.