About Ailey

Ailey Moves NYC!
Please Credit Photo: Ailey Moves NYC! Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Jeroboam Bozeman. Photo by Andrew Eccles
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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 25 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 Women's History Month With A Wide Range Of Lady-Led Workshops And New Weekly Classes

(NEW YORK) March 2, 2023 – This March, Ailey Extension invites all to celebrate Women’s History Month by joining in the fun during workshops taught by leading ladies of the dance world. Each workshop makes room for guests of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and experience levels to honor the impact of women in dance and embrace their own feminine energy while exploring a variety of exciting techniques. Throughout the month, dancers will have several chances to get moving and grooving with renowned women artists in a non-competitive environment at the Joan Weill Center for Dance – NYC’s largest building dedicated to dance.

Ailey II - The Next Generation Of Dance - Returns To The Ailey Citigroup Theater For Two-Week Season March 22 - April 2

NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 23, 2023 — Ailey II, the renowned second company to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will return to its home, The Ailey Citigroup Theater, for a highly anticipated two-week season—the second led by Artistic Director Francesca Harper—featuring 14 exhilarating performances from March 22- April 2. The gifted ensemble of rising stars will treat audiences to two dynamic programs, Poetic Motion and Empowered, spotlighting works by founder Alvin Ailey, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle, William Forsythe, Francesca Harper, Andrea Miller, and former Ailey Company member Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater 2023 North American Tour Kicks Off During Black History Month and Reaches 22 Cities From February 3 - May 14

NEW YORK – JANUARY 25, 2023 – After an acclaimed four-week holiday season in New York, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, beloved as one of the world’s most popular dance companies, will continue to grace stages from coast-to-coast during a 22-city North American tour starting February 3 in Toronto, Ontario during Black History Month. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, the passionate spirit and extraordinary technique of Ailey’s dancers will be showcased in a diverse repertory of new works, repertory favorites and Ailey classics. On February 7, a week-long engagement at The Kennedy Center launches with the annual Washington, D.C. Gala Benefit to support Ailey's D.C. programs, including the creation of new works, Arts-In-Education activities, and scholarships to talented young area dancers to attend The Ailey School in New York. Other stops on the 22-city tour include Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, and Detroit, culminating with a Mother’s Day performance in Newark on May 14.

Featured Press Coverage