Contemporary Dance: Carolyn Dorfman Dance, Terk Lewis, White Wave Dance

WHAT : Modern dance, expressive and human-centered choreography FREE : No tickets needed, just show up on the lawn! Contemporary Dance is curated by Tiffany Rea-Fisher. Carolyn Dorfman Dance (CDD) 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 name and logo embody its identity: “WHITE” reflects Korea’s national color and cultural spirit, while “WAVE” symbolizes the rising Korean Wave—Hallyu—sweeping across the world. For decades, Kim has been recognized as a pioneer of this movement, bringing Korean artistry into a dynamic dialogue with the international dance community. Choreography by Carolyn Dorfman Music by MacArthur Award-winning jazz violinist Regina Carter Choreography by Carolyn Dorfman Music sung by Rufus Wainwright, original song "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen Choreography by Carolyn Dorfman Commisioned score by Jessie Reagen (cello/vocals), Peter List (shahi baaja), and Daphna Mor “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. Choreography by Terk Lewis "Here NOW So Long" explores the turbulence of human emotion through 12 vivid scenes, weaving together a performance of an original score of guitars and electronics with 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. "Here NOW So Long" is the third chapter in Young Soon Kim’s acclaimed Here NOW series, which toured Korea in Seoul, Gwangju, and Seongnam in 2012. The fourth and final chapter, Eternal NOW, premiered at BAM Fisher in 2014. Choreography and direction by Young Soon Kim Original score by Marco Cappelli Additional music by Sam Carwford and Zeb Gould, Allen Won, and Szymon Broszka Performed by Michael Bishop, Kaylan Bradford, John Crim, Benjamin De Andrade, Bella Donatelli, Soomin Eum, Shujung Kim, Ellie Swainhart, and Juan David Viveros 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 . Bryant Park Picnic Performances presented by Bank of America is a free outdoor festival that welcomes all New Yorkers to experience the city’s vibrant arts and culture. The series provides a platform for extraordinary artists and serves as a vital outdoor venue for a wide array of New York’s cultural institutions. With additional support from the Harkness Foundation for Dance