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's Opening Night Gala Benefit Performance And Party Honors Philanthropist Elaine Wynn & The Elaine P. Wynn Family and Foundation Wednesday, December 4 at 7pm

NEW YORK – November 11, 2019 —Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will launch a five-week holiday season on December 4 with a star-studded gala benefit performance at New York City Center and party at the New York Hilton Midtown Grand Ballroom. The special evening celebrates philanthropist Elaine Wynn and the Elaine P. Wynn & Family Foundation. Wynn’s generous contributions have supported the creation of new works as well as the Elaine Wynn & Family Education Wing, which in 2017 added three floors – featuring four dance studios and two classrooms – to The Joan Weill Center for Dance, New York’s largest building dedicated to dance.

Ailey Extension Reveals Workshops Related To Ailey's New York City Center Season, New Classes, And Holiday Promotions

(New York) November 5, 2019 – Boost your dance skills at Ailey Extension this November with specialized workshops and new classes led by Ailey’s extended family of movement experts. Dancers of all experience levels will have several chances throughout the month to train with the esteemed choreographers and trainers helping Ailey dancers prepare for the upcoming holiday season engagement at New York City Center. This month’s workshops allow dancers to receive hands-on modern dance coaching with Ailey Rehearsal Director Matthew Rushing; learn a spiritually refreshing mix of modern and African dance from celebrated Choreographer Ronald K. Brown, whose work remains part of Ailey’s current repertory; and build endurance fit for a dancer with Master Trainer Steven Lopez, who trains his Ailey dancer wife Constance Stamatiou between performance seasons. With new workshops, classes, and promotional deals, students have a wider range of opportunities to sharpen their dance skills.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Returns To Atlanta's Fabulous Fox Theatre February 20-23, 2020 With "AILEY REVEALED" As Part Of 21-City North American Tour

ATLANTA – November 1, 2019 – Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world’s most popular dance companies, announces a return to the Fabulous Fox Theatre, February 20 – 23 as part of a 21-city North American tour, for their highly anticipated 2020 Atlanta engagement with six inspiring performances showcasing Ailey’s 32 extraordinary dancers. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Atlantans will be mesmerized and moved with diverse works by preeminent choreographers, including world premieres that shine a spotlight on social issues by celebrated choreographer Donald Byrd and Ailey dancer and first-ever Resident Choreographer Jamar Roberts. Full programming and details will be announced in January 2020.

Featured Press Coverage

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Pix 11 - Renowned Ailey School Still A Force In Dance World Half A Century Later

For 50 years, the Ailey School on the west side of Manhattan has provided world class training to dancers of all ages and backgrounds from New York City and around the globe. From Madonna to Jasmine Guy, alumni have gone on to be trailblazers in the industry. Launched by Alvin Ailey in 1969, the school started out with just 125 students and aimed to provide access to arts and dance to under-resourced communities. Ailey’s message of inclusivity is one that resonates to this day with the school’s co-directors, Tracy Inman and Melanie Person.

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WWD - Keeping Up With Choreographer Camille A. Brown

Camille A. Brown has had a marquee year. The choreographer and dancer earned her first Tony nomination for best choreography for “Choir Boy,” making her the first black woman to be nominated for the category in over two decades (Marlies Yearby was nominated for “Rent” in 1996). And this fall, she has two major revivals on the horizon: the Met Opera’s season-opening “Porgy and Bess,” which marks Brown’s debut at the major arts institution, and Ntozake Shange’s influential “For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When the Rainbow Is Enuf” at the Public Theater. She’s also choreographing a piece for Alvin Ailey’s upcoming season at City Center and working with director George C. Wolfe on the film adaptation of “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom.” There are two tours on the horizon, too: for “Once on This Island” and her namesake company, Camille A. Brown and Dancers, for which she continues to dance.

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Dance Spirit - Letter To My First-Year Self: Meagan King

After all the work that goes into applying to college BFA programs, it can seem like getting that long-awaited acceptance letter is the be-all and end-all. But talk to most seniors, and they'll tell you that acceptance is just the beginning of a whirlwind experience. We asked five senior dance majors from some of the nation's top programs to look back on their college journeys and offer advice to their freshman selves. From The Ailey/Fordham BFA program, we spoke to Meagan King.