Contemporary Dance: Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Terk Lewis, WHITE WAVE Dance

Carolyn Dorfman Dance triumphantly returns to Bryant Park, bringing its signature blend of athleticism, storytelling, and emotional depth to one of New York City’s most iconic outdoor stages.

For over four decades, Carolyn Dorfman Dance has illuminated the human experience through bold, expressive contemporary dance that resonates across cultures and communities. Widely hailed as a consummate storyteller, Artistic Director Carolyn Dorfman creates works that weave together tradition, memory, and identity—inviting audiences to reflect on our shared humanity.

This special Bryant Park performance features excerpts from some of Dorfman’s most iconic works, set to an eclectic and evocative musical landscape. Highlights include "The Attitude of Doing", featuring music by MacArthur Award–winning jazz violinist Regina Carter; "Keystone, set to Rufus Wainwright’s haunting interpretation of Leonard Cohen’s" “Hallelujah”; and "Waves:, with a richly textured commissioned score by cellist and vocalist Jessie Reagen, beatboxer and shahi baaja player Peter List, and multi-recorder artist Daphna Mor.

Terk Lewis (Mansfield, OH) earned his BFA in Dance from Western Michigan University performing in works by Antony Tudor, Frank Chaves and Ron DeJesus. Lewis then went on to join Complexions Contemporary Ballet performing works by Artistic Directors Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Jae Man Joo, William Forsyth and Marcelo Gomes. Lewis later danced in “Jesus Christ Superstar Live” on NBC (Choreographed by Camille Brown) and performed in “Peter Pan” and “Rock of Ages” at Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera, as well as the music video “Cross Me” by Ed Sheeran. He has done industrial work for Hanes, Hyundai, FujiFilm, and V magazine. Lewis danced in the Lin Manuel Miranda Feature Film “In The Heights” (Choreographed by Chris Scott), at the Met Gala (Choreographed by Andy Blankenbuehler), in the Musical Series “Up Here” on Hulu (Choreographed by Sonya Tayeh), and at Radio City Music Hall for NBC (Choreographed by Shannon Lewis). Most recently Lewis performed on Saturday Night Live (Choreographed by Chris Bailey). Lewis is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and will complete his MFA in Dance from Montclair State University in May 2026.

Lewis is excited to create a new work for Bryant Park this summer. 

WHITE WAVE Dance, led by visionary Artistic Director Young Soon Kim, is an internationally acclaimed contemporary dance company known for its daring innovation, emotional depth, and expansive global reach. The company’s work has been featured on WW0R TV, Fox 5, PBS's NYC-ARTS, and CNN's Inside Asia. Ms. Kim, recipient of the 2023 Bessie's Angel Honoree Award and 2025 ITI Award nominee, has built a vibrant 40-year career creating work that is exhilirating, visually stunning, and deeply human-- marked by her signature blend of sweeping movement, sculptural imagery, and resonant storytelling.

“us” will follow romantic partners as they take a mirrored, introspective look at themselves. Peering into a storied history, an optimistic present and an uncertain future. The piece will examine the incremental evolution and dynamic sensitivities of chosen relationships. 

Special thanks to the Institute for American Musical Theatre

Choreography by Terk Lewis
Assisted by Elle Brandon
Performed by Michaesia Randolph, Zoi Nakamura, Erin Cobbler, Becca Nguyen

Music by Moby

"Here NOW So Long" is utterly compelling multimedia dance-theater work
marked by remarkable versatility and choreographic virtuosity of Young
Soon Kim. "Here NOW So Long" explores the turbulence of human emotion
through 12 vivid scenes, weaving together panoramic video imagery, a live
performance of an original score of guitars and electronics, and the fluid,
dramatic movement of WHITE WAVE's stunning dancers. The work extends
and breaks the boundaries of contemporary dance with themes of love,
longing, and inner conflict.

This excerpt will be presented with recorded music and without the multimedia elements.

Choreography and direction by Young Soon Kim
Performed by Michael Bishop, Kaylan Bradford, John Crim, Benjamin De Andrade, Bella Donatelli, Soomin Eum, Shujung Kim, Sumire Ishige, and Juan David Viveros

Original score by Marco Cappelli
Additional music by Sam Crawford and Zeb Gould

Love...Life...Community are at the core of Dorfman and Carter's work. In this joyously moving dance, they grow individually, nurture relationships, and harness the power of community. "The Attitude of Doing", co-commissioned by NJPAC with additional support from the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and NJSCA, premiered in the TD Moody Jazz Festival on November 16, 2022, with live performance by Regina and her recorded compositions. 

Choreography by Carolyn Dorfman
Performed by Maiko Adela (fka Harada), Tyler Choquette, Dominque Dobransky Pier, Hannah Gross, Brandon Jones, Jacob Kurihara, Mika Miranda, Aanyse Pettiford-Chandler, Charles Scheland, Jared Stern

Music by MacArthur Award-winning jazz violinist Regina Carter

"Keystone" is a duet that explores the endurance of relationships and the concept of staying power in a world that continues to embrace fast digital communication that is not aligned with the human pulse or true intimacy. "Keystone" was made possible in part by a 2011 Choreographic Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts (NJSCA). 

Choreography by Carolyn Dorfman
Performed by Dominique Dobransky Pier and Brandon Jones

Music sung by Rufus Wainwright, original song "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen

In "Waves", Dorfman, composers and dancers worked simultaneously in the studio to explore the multi-faceted aspects of 'waves'. Together, they created a rich dialogue; a sensation-based exploration of sound and motion, ultimately revealing a celebration of community. "Waves" was made possible in part by grants from New Music USA, The O'Donnell-Green Music and Dance Foundation, with generous support from the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation. 

Choreography by Carolyn Dorfman
Performed by Maiko Adela (fka Harada), Tyler Choquette, Dominque Dobransky Pier, Hannah Gross, Brandon Jones, Jacob Kurihara, Mika Miranda, Aanyse Pettiford-Chandler, Charles Scheland, Jared Stern

Commisioned music composition and recording by Pete List (beatboxing, shahi baaja, vocals), Daphna Mor (recorders, vocals), and Jessie Reagan (cello, vocals)

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.