A new documentary exploring the Chicago-based Joffrey Ballet offers an inside look at the company’s efforts to promote inclusivity and foster new creative voices in the world of classical dance. The film, titled “Joffrey Ballet: The Next Movement,” highlights the “Winning Works” program, which supports choreographers from underrepresented backgrounds in developing original ballet pieces.

Produced by Kartemquin Films, known for documentaries such as “Hoop Dreams” and “The Interrupters,” the film captures both the artistry of the dancers and the evolving nature of the ballet community. Central to the documentary are five emerging choreographers featured in “Winning Works”: Houston Thomas, Xavier Núñez, Martha Nichols, Manoela Gonçalves, and Jainil Mehta. Each brings a distinct perspective shaped by their diverse origins—ranging from Chicago’s South Side and Puerto Rico to Brooklyn, Brazil, and Mumbai.

Houston Thomas, a product of Joffrey’s Outreach Program, emphasizes that while the program isn’t structured as a competition, the desire to succeed remains strong. Xavier Núñez, 30, remarks he feels he is currently in his creative prime and shares that the first ballet he truly encountered was after securing professional work, underscoring ballet’s often prohibitive cost. The documentary also draws attention to an aging typical ballet audience, contrasted with the youth of the performers, framing “Winning Works” as an initiative to attract new, younger patrons and broaden ballet’s cultural reach.

Viewers are shown the choreographers’ creative processes, from rehearsal challenges to the dancers’ engagement with unconventional techniques. For example, Martha Nichols’s approach prioritizes human connection alongside artistry, while Jainil Mehta introduces movements that challenge classical ballet norms, such as twisting on the heel—an action traditionally discouraged in training. The program grants these artists access to Joffrey’s facilities and resources, including costume design, which supports their creative experimentation.

The documentary also grapples with ballet’s nature as an art form. Thomas notes that ballet need not be narrative-driven but instead celebrates the expressive potential of the human body. While the preparation and rehearsal process might not seem inherently dramatic, the film renders it compelling, offering a fresh perspective that could appeal even to those less familiar with dance.

“Joffrey Ballet: The Next Movement” was scheduled to air Friday at 9 p.m. on PBS, providing audiences an opportunity to witness the intersection of tradition, innovation, and diversity within one of America’s most respected ballet companies.