"UNPACKED: a dance adventure" 2026 Show @ Waterside Plaza NYC 8.18.26

International dancer, creator, and educator Taylor Gordon presents "UNPACKED: a dance adventure" August 18, 2026 at Waterside Plaza in NYC. Back for its third NYC season following an April performance at the Peru Bienal in Lima, this semi-autobiographical dance narrative follows the parallel journeys of an Army soldier and a touring performer – siblings exploring the world until tragedy strikes. Rooted in contemporary jazz, the vibrant show navigates travel, grief, friendship, and fun, celebrating the people we carry with us who make every step worthwhile.
Choreographer Taylor Gordon's brother was in the Army, deployed twice to Afghanistan, and committed suicide on August 9, 2016. She aims to share his story in a way that celebrates life and inspires others to keep living.​ The show premiered August 2024 and continues to evolve with the goal of continued international touring opportunities in 2027. The August 2026 production will commemorate the 10-year anniversary of Nick Gordon's death.
“The morning after my Army soldier brother killed himself, I taught a dance class at the United Nations. I took ballet in Boston after his casket arrived home from Fort Bragg. And for the years following his death, I danced. I danced across more than ten different countries, as far away as I could physically and emotionally escape to. It’s all I knew how to do to heal," says creator Taylor Gordon, who conceived the show in collaboration with more than 30 international artists from 5 different countries.

Tickets
Tax-deductible donations to support the artists:
Waterside Plaza in an outdoor space at East 26th Street & East River, NYC
International director/dhoreographer Taylor Gordon has been based in NYC for more than 20 years. Her performance credits include some of the dance world's biggest stages, including Lincoln Center, Radio City Music Hall, The Kennedy Center, Carnegie, Hall, Jacob's Pillow, international tours, commercials, and film. Amongst other places, she has taught and performed in Peru, Japan, India, China, Indonesia, The Philippines, Taiwan, Cuba, Europe, and the UK. Recent choreography credits include Dance Lab NY's Production Prep Lab & Broadway Choreography Intensive, Princeton University (2 new musicals), CounterPointe13, Carnegie Hall Presents: NYFA Cabaret, Dixon Place, Queens Outdoor Dance Festival, Women in Motion, Uptown Rising, Nacre Dance, and Exit12 Dance Company. She assisted several Broadway choreographers as a Show Supervisor for RWS Global and recently danced in pre-production for NY City Center Encores! She has been a Resident Director for Dublin Worldwide Productions since 2019 and a dancer with Exit12 Dance Company since 2010. Taylor has been featured prominently in The New York Times, CNN, NBC, CBS, FOX5, ABC, The Times of India, Huffington Post, Dance Magazine, Dance Spirit, Dance Teacher, and United Airlines Hemisphere Magazine. www.taylorjgordon.com
The 2026 “UNPACKED: a dance adventure” cast will be announced in July. Original vocal covers by Sarah Bomber, Nick DiSandro, Charity Farrell, Felicia Martis, Nino Ruggeri, Stacey Rose, Nikki Sember, and George Tidmore.

"UNPACKED" premiered in August 2024 in NYC with 30 international performers in the cast. Taylor is passionate about giving performance opportunities to emerging artists and collaborating with live musicians. The show will be performed again August 18, 2026 at Waterside Plaza NYC and on tour in NH at Theater in the Wood August 21. Seeking additional touring opportunities nationally and internationally.
www.taylorjgordon.com/unpacked

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