American Dance Festival Announces 2026 Performances
Durham, NC, March 25, 2026 — The American Dance Festival (ADF) is thrilled to announce its 2026 season. Performances will be presented from May 27 to July 25, and educational programs will take place from June 13 to July 25. The season will feature 49 performances by 26 acclaimed dance companies and choreographers, 9 world premieres, 12 ADF commissions, and 13 company/choreographer debuts. ADF celebrates the breadth of modern dance and the extraordinary artists who are pushing boundaries bringing audiences together to experience art in community with others.
“This season tells a powerful story about our rich history and exciting future,” says Jodee Nimerichter, Executive Director of the American Dance Festival. “ADF is a home for dance! It is a commissioner and presenter of world-class, globally influential work and a stage celebrating master works from the dance canon. From engaging with historic landmarks like Mutual Tower in Durham to sustaining decades-long international partnerships that helped shape modern dance in China, ADF’s impact begins here in Durham and extends far beyond North Carolina. This season is dedicated to the late ADF Director Emeritus Charles L. Reinhart and reflects both our history and our future. We’re thrilled to collaborate with an inspiring range of community partners including Carolina Performing Arts, Hayti Heritage Center, and Jewish for Good, among others, this season, reinforcing our commitment to serving as an anchor and catalyst for the arts.”
Opening the festival, Jesse Factor presents a performance paying homage to both Martha Graham and Madonna, all ADF alumni. Deeply inspired by the “High Priestess of Modern Dance” and the “Queen of Pop,” the work bridges tradition and popular culture. As the Martha Graham Dance Company marks its 100th anniversary, the tribute highlights ADF’s extraordinary legacy, connecting a modern dance pioneer, a global pop icon, and a contemporary choreographer. The fun will continue with an after-show dance party.