Make Work
Two dancers in a deep partnered lean across a sunlit studio floor while dancers at the barre look on.

In theaters March 5, 2027

Make Work

Inside the studios of New York City Ballet, four emerging choreographers wrestle with the future of an art form in motion.

Festival screenings Get updates
The studio seen from a dark doorway: dancers at work in the light beyond.

The film

How does ballet remain relevant while continuing to evolve?

Make Work follows emerging and established choreographers through an intense ten-day creation process at New York City Ballet’s Choreographic Institute, where they navigate ideas, dancers, production and nerves.

Archival clips of George Balanchine and Jerome Robbins present ballet’s creative lineage, while leading choreographers illuminate the craft today.

Directed by
Linda Saffire and Adam Schlesinger
Produced by
Adam Schlesinger, Linda Saffire and Adrian Danchig-Waring
Featuring
Dancers of New York City Ballet
Running time
95 minutes

The choreographers

Four emerging choreographers at the New York Choreographic Institute.

  • Caili Quan in a green striped shirt, mid-sentence, in the studio.

    Caili Quan

  • Houston Thomas smiling, his head resting on one hand, in a striped shirt over a dark turtleneck.

    Houston Thomas

  • Harrison Ball in a black turtleneck, looking up as he speaks.

    Harrison Ball

  • Sarah Foster-Sproull in a dark jacket, speaking in the studio.

    Sarah Foster-Sproull

Also in the film

Alexei Ratmansky Justin Peck Wendy Whelan Christopher Wheeldon Pam Tanowitz Kyle Abraham Annabelle Lopez Ochoa Lar Lubovitch

Press

Press inquiries: Falco Ink, 212-445-7100

Screenings

See it at the festivals this November.

  • Nov 8Sunday, 4:30 PM PT

    San Francisco Dance Film Festival · World premiereBrava Theater Center, San FranciscoQ&A with directors Linda Saffire and Adam Schlesinger, moderated by Amy Seiwert, Artistic Director of Smuin Ballet

    Tickets

  • Nov 16Monday, 6:45 PM ET

    DOC NYC · New York premiereIFC Center, New YorkQ&A with directors Linda Saffire and Adam Schlesinger, editor Anne Barliant, cinematographer Claudia Raschke and composer Philip Sheppard

    Tickets

  • Nov 19Thursday, 6:45 PM ET

    DOC NYCVillage East by Angelika, New YorkQ&A with directors Linda Saffire and Adam Schlesinger

    Tickets

  • Nov 17–29Online

    DOC NYC onlineStreaming in the festival’s online program

    Tickets

In theaters

Opening nationwide on Friday, March 5, 2027.

Abramorama is releasing Make Work in theaters across North America. Sign up to hear when it opens near you.

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Abramorama presents a Got The Shot Films production, Make Work. Featuring Dancers of New York City Ballet. Music by Philip Sheppard. Edited by Anne Barliant. Director of photography Claudia Raschke, ASC. Executive producer Laura Johnson. Produced by Adam Schlesinger, Linda Saffire and Adrian Danchig-Waring. Directed by Linda Saffire and Adam Schlesinger.
Got The Shot Films makeworkfilm.com Abramorama