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

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Returns To Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre From February 20-23 With "AILEY REVEALED" Season Performances As Part Of 2020 United States Tour To 21 Cities

ATLANTA – UPDATED January 10, 2020 – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world’s most popular dance companies, returns to the Fabulous Fox Theatre from February 20 – 23 for six dynamic performances featuring three separate programs that bring the “Ailey Revealed” 2020 season to Atlanta and 21 cities across the United States. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Ailey’s 32 extraordinary dancers will bring to life two topical world premieres that shine a spotlight on social issues – celebrated choreographer Donald Byrd’s Greenwood and Ailey Dancer and Resident Choreographer Jamar Roberts’ Ode. Company premieres and new productions will be presented by preeminent choreographers Aszure Barton, Camille A. Brown, Judith Jamison and Darrell Moultrie. Alvin Ailey’s must-see American masterpiece Revelations will culminate each program.

Ailey Extension Dances Into 2020 With Special Workshops To Help New Yorkers Reach Their New Year's Resolutions

(New York) January 8, 2019 – This January, Ailey Extension is helping New Yorkers dance into 2020 and reach their New Year’s resolutions with workshops designed to help people get moving as they tap into new skills and experiment with different approaches to dance. Students of all experience levels are welcome to learn about and explore Ailey’s genius as a choreographer during a Celebrating Alvin Ailey workshop with Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison; practice confidence at an Absolute Beginner Heels workshop with celebrity dancer Jessica Castro; learn the fundamentals and flavor of Salsa from two-time world salsa champion Bruno Alexander Rodriguez; experience the richness and diversity of West African dance and drum in a day of classes at the West African Celebration with recognized choreographer Maguette Camara & Friends; or make dance a fun family affair at the West African Family Day workshop with The Ailey School instructor Imani Faye. Whether New Yorkers are looking to try new experiences, spend more time with family, take on new hobbies, or simply get moving more often, Ailey Extension has a workshop to help take steps towards their 2020 goals.

Ailey Extension Spreads Holiday Cheer With Festive Dance Parties, New Weekly Classes, And Workshops And Free Class Promotion In Conjunction With Ailey's New York City Center Engagement

(New York) December 13, 2019 – Ailey Extension is spreading joy to the dance world with themed workshops to keep everyone in the holiday spirit. Over the next few weeks all are welcome to take part in festive workshops tied to the joyous season and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s holiday engagement through January 5, 2020 at New York City Center. Dancers can celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at Matthew Johnson Harris’ HoliSLAY Hip Hop Cardio Dance Party and jump start their New Year’s resolutions sweating it out at a Zumba® Holiday Dance Party with Richard Martinez; or practice walking into the new year with confidence at a Runway & Vogue workshop with Pose on FX stars Dominique A. Jackson and Jason Rodriguez and discover the secrets of feeling powerful at an Absolute Beginner Heels workshop with Jessica Castro. Let the spirit of Ailey’s holiday performances provide motivation to learn Ailey’s signature style at Intro to Ailey Classics with Sarita Allen and explore Mr. Ailey’s genius as a choreographer at Celebrating Alvin Ailey with Judith Jamison.

Featured Press Coverage

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The New York Times - #SpeakingInDance: Elevating Hope Amid Danger

"There's danger in the air, and the character that I portray is supposed to resemble hope at the highest power," said Jeroboam Bozeman, a member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, about his role in "Ode." In this powerful new dance created by Jamar Roberts for the company's season at City Center (through Jan. 5), the dancers explore the effects of gun violence to a jazz score by the pianist Don Pullen. In this solo, Mr. Bozeman said he sees himself "kind of like a high priestess," he said. "Someone who oversees, but also has this sense of wisdom. I think about Trayvon Martin. I think about Philando Castile. I think about Sandra Bland. I think about Eric Garner. These are people we lost to police brutality." He admires how Mr. Roberts created such a multilayered, poetic dance about such a brutal subject.

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The New York Times - An Ailey Dancer's Goddess Quality

Jacqueline Green was a shy 13-year-old when her mother, considering possible schools in Baltimore, observed two qualities that her daughter possessed. "You're the artsy child," Ms. Green recalled her saying. "You're flexible." Soon after, Ms. Green found herself at a dance audition for Baltimore School for the Arts. It was not only her first audition, it was also her first ballet class. "I had on Payless tights and shoes, and I don't know where we found a leotard," Ms. Green said. "I had my hair slicked back in this bun and I thought: 'People actually do this? Holding our arms out is tiring.'"

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Dance Spirit - From Summer Intensive To Dream Job

It's every young dancer's fantasy: Attend a summer intensive, dazzle the artistic staff with your flawless technique, land a company contract, and grand-jets into the sunset. If only it were that simple, right?... We caught up with six pros who followed the summer-intensive-to-dream-job route to get the inside scoop on how to give yourself a fighting chance at that coveted end-of-summer offer. For Jamaris Mitchell, who's in her first season with Ailey II, attending the company's summer intensive made all the difference.