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 Extension Celebrates NYC Dance Week, June 13-22, With Free Classes To Unleash Your Inner Dancer

(New York) May 22, 2019 – This June, Ailey Extension invites New Yorkers to celebrate dance onstage and off when NYC Dance Week returns Thursday, June 13 through Saturday, June 22, coinciding with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Lincoln Center engagement June 12-16, 2019. Throughout the annual citywide festival, Ailey Extension will offer over 25 free* dance and fitness classes for adults of all experience levels at The Joan Weill Center for Dance – New York’s largest building dedicated to dance and the official home of Ailey. As a bonus, the entire family can come together on the dance floor during NYC Dance Week for a lively celebration of music, dance, and oral traditions with a free West African Family class with Maguette Camara on Friday, June 14 at 6:30pm.

The Ailey Spirit Gala Benefit At Lincoln Center On Thursday, June 13th Celebrates 50th Anniversary Of The Ailey School With One-Night-Only Performance & Party

(NEW YORK, NY) May 16, 2019 – The centerpiece of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Lincoln Center engagement is The Ailey Spirit Gala on Thursday, June 13th. The event launches the 50th Anniversary celebration of The Ailey School, which has served as a springboard for many notable artists, including more than 70% of the dancers in the Company. The evening’s Honorary Chair is award-winning actress Lorraine Toussaint, who currently stars in NBC’s “The Village,” Netflix’s “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power,” AMC’s “Into the Badlands,” and the recently released supernatural thriller “Fast Color.” She will also star in the upcoming films “Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark” and “The Glorias,” where she will portray the iconic feminist and civil right activist Flo Kennedy opposite Julianne Moore. Toussaint is the parent of a student at The Ailey School.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle Announces Programming For Lincoln Center Season June 12-16, 2019

New York – Updated May 9, 2019 – Artistic Director Robert Battle has announced exciting highlights to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s Lincoln Center season at the David H. Koch Theater June 12 – 16. In addition to the world premiere of Darrell Grand Moultrie’s Ounce of Faith and recent premieres by some of today’s most revered choreographers across three distinct programs – Bold Visions, Trailblazers, and Timeless Ailey – the engagement includes The Ailey Spirit Gala benefit celebrating the 50th Anniversary of The Ailey School; An Evening Honoring Carmen de Lavallade; and a series of special activities for people of all ages and backgrounds. The engagement also marks the debut of five new Company dancers.

Featured Press Coverage

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Shondaland - Judith Jamison Takes Us Through 60 Years Of Alvin Ailey's Brilliance

When Judith Jamison joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1965, there were 10 dancers in the company. Today, six decades after Ailey and a small group of black dancers gave their inaugural performance at the 92nd Street Y in New York City, his legacy now includes more than 250 original ballets, 30 dancers, a robust educational and training program, and sold-out performances all across the globe.

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OUT Magazine - Dance-Revolution

Troy Powell remembers the late Alvin Ailey fondly. The legendary choreographer saw something in Powell at nine years old and recruited him for a children’s program after leading a masterclass at his elementary school. Perhaps that’s why, when asked about Ailey’s legacy, Powell says simply, “It's magical.”

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The Observer - Fordham/Ailey BFAs Go Out With A Bang (And A Battement)

Running five blocks in five minutes, studying flashcards at the ballet barre or learning the Horton fortifications might sound all too familiar for students in the Fordham/Ailey B.F.A. program. The graduating class of 2019 spent eight semesters in a unique program that blends both academic rigor and artistic development as a dancer.