By USC Kaufman Staff

The USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance is proud to announce its Spring 2026 lineup of performances and events, featuring world premiere works, distinguished guest artists and celebrated repertory. The semester highlights USC Kaufman’s continued commitment to artistic innovation and excellence in dance education.

This spring, USC Kaufman welcomes an exceptional group of award-winning artists and creative leaders, each contributing new world premiere works created specifically for the school’s BFA students. Guest artists include a Tony and Emmy-nominated choreographer and director, a Princess Grace Award winner, renowned choreographers and talent developers, and the director of the prestigious Beijing Dance Theater.

Special guests and original works

USC Kaufman is pleased to welcome John Carrafa, an Emmy-nominated choreographer and two-time Tony Award nominee whose work spans Broadway, film and television. Carrafa earned an Emmy nomination for Only Murders in the Building and has received numerous industry honors, including Lortel, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Obie Awards, as well as the Media Choreography Award and the World Dance Award for Feature Film Choreography.

Founding faculty member and Assistant Professor of Practice Patrick Corbin will also premiere a new original work on BFA students — his first since 2021. His return to choreographing for the program marks a significant milestone, as Corbin becomes the third founding faculty member to create an original work during the school’s 10th Anniversary Year celebration.

Fresh off receiving a 2025 Princess Grace Award, choreographer Houston Thomas joins the Spring 2026 season to create his first original work for the BFA program. A former soloist with the Dresden Semperoper Ballett, Thomas brings an extensive performance and choreographic résumé, with recent commissions from Washington Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, The Juilliard School, ABT Studio Company, Ailey II and The School of American Ballet, among many others.

Jana Thompkins, originally from Texas, is also set to create her first original work for the school. She has performed with some of the world’s most influential music artists, including Lady Gaga, Usher, Ne-Yo, Lil Wayne, Jason Derulo, Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj, Gwen Stefani and Missy Elliott. Thompkins now focuses her career on choreography and artist development, bringing her industry experience into the studio with the next generation of dancers.

Making her first appearance with the program, groundbreaking choreographer Yuanyuan Wang, founder and director of Beijing Dance Theater, brings her innovative fusion of Chinese and Western modern dance forms to campus. Her work continues to push the boundaries of contemporary movement and cultural storytelling.

In addition to new creations, Spring 2026 will feature contemporary repertory, including the acclaimed Whereabouts Unknown by Jiří Kylián, restaged by faculty member Fiona Lummis, offering students the opportunity to perform seminal works by internationally-regarded choreographers.

All five original works, along with the presentation of Whereabouts Unknown, will be featured in four performances during the annual Spring BFA Showcase, the culminating program of the academic year. Performances will take place April 30–May 2, 2026, at USC’s Bing Theatre. Tickets are free and will be available for registration later this spring.

Spring 2026 performances and events

USC Kaufman is also pleased to share other student-centered and campus-wide performances taking place throughout the 2026 Spring Semester. See below for more details. 

MAJOR by Ogemdi Ude
February 4, 2026
Bovard Auditorium

Fresh Sesh
February 26, 2026
Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center

Cypher Summit
March 6-7, 2026
Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center

Kaufman Connections Spring Culmination
April 16, 2026
Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center
Invitation Only

Spring BFA Showcase
April 30, 2026
May 1, 2026
May 2, 2026
Bing Theatre

USC Kaufman Commencement, Class of 2026
May 15, 2026
USC Campus

City of Angels/City of Light Performance with CSNM
Late May/Early June
Paris, France
Invitation Only

Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center’s 10th Birthday Celebration
October 2026
USC Campus

Performances, dates, and times are always subject to change. Visit us online for future updates and ticket information.

Public programs/performances are open to all eligible individuals. USC Kaufman operates all of its programs and activities consistent with the University’s Notice of Non-Discrimination. Eligibility is not determined based on race, sex, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or any other prohibited factor.