About Ailey

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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

Ailey II - The Next Generation Of Dance - Embarks On 2019-2020 World Tour With Performances In More Than 30 Cities

(New York) – September 13, 2019 – Over the next six months Ailey II is traveling around the globe inspiring audiences in more than 30 cities. The tour will take the acclaimed 12-member ensemble of rising stars across the U.S. from Towson, MD to Atlanta, GA to St. Louis, MO. Ailey II will also reach international audiences in Germany, France, and Italy before returning home for its annual New York season, taking place March 25 – April 5, 2020 at Ailey Citigroup Theater. Ailey II, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s junior company that serves as a bridge between The Ailey School and the professional dance world, is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most promising emerging choreographers.

Ailey Extension Bounces Into Back-To-School Mode With Lively New Classes And Workshops For Kids And Adults

(New York) September 6, 2019 – As the nation enters back-to-school mode, Ailey Extension welcomes students of all ages and experience levels to fall into fitness at its lively new classes and workshops. Ailey Extension is excited to introduce two new weekly classes taught by renowned instructors Danielle Lima, one of the foremost samba teachers in the USA; and Joan Peters, one of the original Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company members and master teacher of the Dunham technique. Ailey Extension will also offer an additional Beginner Ballet class taught by American Ballet Theatre Certified Teacher Anna Lederfeind.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Announces Special Events To Introduce New York City Center Engagement December 4, 2019 - January 5, 2019

NEW YORK – September 5, 2019 — The Ailey School, now celebrating its 50th anniversary, was selected to perform in the 2019 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade®. Over 100 students from all programs of The Ailey School will answer the call of “Let’s Have a ParadeTM,” the iconic phrase that has signaled the start of every Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade since 1924. Led by The Ailey School Co-Director Tracy Inman, the dancers from age seven to 25 will perform a dance inspired by the “Rocka My Soul” finale of Alvin Ailey’s American masterpiece Revelations.

Featured Press Coverage

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The Telegraph - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Programe A, Sadler's Wells, Review: A Stirring And Skin-Pricklingly Exciting Evening

Alvin Ailey was born in rural Texas in 1931. Like so many other African Americans then and since, he experienced frightful racism, but astonishing talent and tenacity allowed him to claw his way up to become one of America's best-loved dancer-choreographers. He founded his own, contemporary troupe - Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - in 1958 as a vehicle and haven for black Americans who wanted to dance for a living. And, although Ailey himself died in 1989, his company lives on loud and proud, under the sterling directorship of Robert Battle.

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BBC Radio - Front Row With Kirsty Lang

In 1958 Alvin Ailey, aware that there were few opportunities for African-American dancers and choreographers, founded a company to tell the stories of black people through movement. Since then the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has become one of the most popular modern ensembles in the world. The company's artistic director, Robert Battle, talks to Kirsty Lang about its history, ambition and that constant difficulty - to get boys to dance.

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The New York Times - Modern Dance Finds An Unexpected Home

The dance world doesn't always escape the land of television without a bruise or two. The camera loves nothing more than a bloody toenail. And then there's "Pose," on FX. This look at the ballroom scene in New York City is equal parts grit and glamour. Its horrifying moments don't have anything to do with perpetuating stereotypes about a dancer's pain, but with the brutality of AIDS, which devastated the dance community.