Troy Powell, Artistic Director

Troy Powell
Please Credit Photo: Ailey II Artistic Director Troy Powell. Photo Eduardo Patino
Add to Download Cart
On July 1, 2012, Troy Powell became only the second person to lead Ailey II since its inception in 1974. A native New Yorker, Mr. Powell began his dance training at the age of nine as a scholarship student at The Ailey School. Following his graduation from The High School of Performing Arts, he became a member of Ailey II and then joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1991. He toured throughout the United States, South America, Europe, and South Africa for ten years with the Company before becoming a master teacher at The Ailey School and resident choreographer of Ailey II. Mr. Powell has choreographed ballets for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, The Ailey School, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, National Dance Company of the Bahamas, and Alaska Dance Theater, as well as three episodes of “Sesame Street.”
 
His guest artist credits include performing with companies including Batsheva, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, and Complexions. Mr. Powell has been featured in an American Express commercial with the Ailey company and has also appeared on television in George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum, the PBS Great Performances: Dance in America special “A Hymn for Alvin Ailey,” choreographed by Judith Jamison, “America’s Next Top Model,” and most recently the Polish version of “So You Think You Can Dance.”
 

Featured News Releases

Ailey II's First Independent New York Season At The Joyce Theater

Ailey II’s “indefatigable, virtuosic, and relentlessly sexy” dancers (Los Angeles Times) return to The Joyce Theater from March 17 – 22 with two programs of premieres and recent audience favorites. The Company’s spring run at The Joyce will be the first time they will present an independent season at one of dance’s most cherished and historic venues.

Featured Press Coverage

TheBlade_AileyII_WorldTour_Toledo_PoetryInMotion_Feature_2.1.18

The Blade - Power Of Dance: Ailey II Explores Bond Between Ballet, Contemporary

When Troy Powell talks about the power of dance, you can almost see his face light up 600 miles away in Red Wing, Minn., where the Ailey II dance company is performing a week before arriving in Toledo. "We are all dancers in our own right," the artistic director says with the zeal of a missionary. "When I say dancing, I mean everyone is born to move. Everyone's born with a rhythm, that heartbeat or tone."

TheAspenTimes_AileyII_WorldTour_Aspen_TroyPowellInterview_FeaturePRINT_2.16.18

The Aspen Times - Alvin Ailey's Legacy Lives On

Troy Powell is carrying on the legacy of legendary choreographer Alvin Ailey with Ailey II, the young, 12-member dance company that will perform tonight at the Aspen District Theatre. Powell, the artistic director of Ailey II, has spent nearly his entire life exploring and performing Ailey's groundbreaking work reflecting the African-American journey.

AJC - Choreographer Juel D. Lane Brings Atlanta Flavor To Ailey II

Destination Dance, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s initiative to produce year-round programming in Atlanta, will wrap up its pilot season this weekend with performances that could launch a locally based choreographer to new heights. Juel D. Lane will make his choreographic debut with Ailey II, the organization’s second company, with “Touch & Agree (2017),” which premieres Oct. 21 alongside Renee I. McDonald’s “Breaking Point” and Ailey’s “Revelations” at the Rialto Center for the Arts.