About Ailey

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital American “Cultural Ambassador to the World,” has performed for over 23 million people in 48 states and in 71 countries on 6 continents, celebrating the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition. Ailey’s permanent home is The Joan Weill Center for Dance, the largest building dedicated to dance in New York City, the dance capital of the world.

The Ailey Organization includes: Ailey II (a second performing company of young dancers and emerging choreographers), The Ailey School (one of the world's most extensive dance training programs), Ailey Arts in Education & Community Programs (which bring dance into classrooms and communities), and Ailey Extension (offering dance and fitness classes to the public).

Featured News Releases

August 02, 2017

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Announces Programming for New York City Center Season, November 29 - December 31

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Center’s Principal Dance Company, returns to the theater’s stage from November 29th – December 31st, 2017. Artistic Director Robert Battle leads Ailey’s 32 extraordinary dancers during this annual five-week engagement, which has become a joyous holiday tradition. The repertory features more than two dozen diverse works by some of the world’s preeminent dance-makers, including world premieres by Spanish choreographer Gustavo Ramírez Sansano and Ailey dancer Jamar Roberts, as well as new productions by Twyla Tharp, Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, and Talley Beatty.

July 20, 2017

Release Your Inner Performer And Take Center Stage At Ailey Extension This Summer

Each summer, Ailey Extension invites students to take their dancing to another level and unleash their inner performer. Beginner and advanced beginner dancers are welcomed to enroll in a four-week Summer Performance Workshop to learn and showcase choreography from some of Ailey Extension’s top instructors.

July 06, 2017

AileyCamp Keeps Inner-City Youth Dancing And Discovering This Summer In 10 Cities Nationwide

Now in its 28th year, AileyCamp is now underway this summer in 10 cities nationwide - inspiring students in challenging situations to discover their underlying potential, as well as the paths to set and achieve positive goals. Founded in 1989 by Alvin Ailey, the full-scholarship day camp uses the art of dance as a means to stretch the mind, body and spirit of more than 1,000 underserved students ages 11 to 14.

Featured Press Coverage

August 16, 2017

New York Amsterdam News - Ailey Extension Dance Classes: Release Your Inner Dancer

Have you ever sat in the audience at an Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performance during the magnificent dance company’s summer and winter seasons and thought wistfully, “I would love to try to do at least some of that!” Well, nothing’s impossible.

August 10, 2017

The Miami Herald - AileyCamp Miami Welcomes Its First Camper With Down Syndrome

Dance is what makes Kristina Lahoud come alive. Whenever she hears music, especially Rihanna, she can’t help but move with the beat... To follow her passion, Kristina joined AileyCamp Miami, an annual summer camp presented the past nine years by Adrienne Arsht Center.

August 07, 2017

The New York Times - Alvin Ailey Announces New York City Center Season

Jamar Roberts, a dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will take the leap from performer to choreographer next season with the premiere of "Members Don't Get Weary," his first piece for the company. Ailey announced on Wednesday that the work would debut in the troupe's annual season at City Center, running Nov. 29 through Dec. 31.