The Ailey Blog

Students from The Ailey School Professional Division. Photo by Nir Arieli

5 Must-Have Summer Dance Intensive Essentials

Your bags are packed and you’re ready to leap into your Summer Intensive at The Ailey School. Being prepared is key to success, so we’ve compiled five summer intensive dance essentials you need to help you make this training…

3 Reasons to Get Your Kids Moving

Dance Squad with Ailey Launches on Noggin by Nick Jr. Ready to dance it out? The Ailey organization has partnered with Noggin by Nick Jr. for Dance Squad with Ailey, a new streaming series that encourages kids to move their…

AileyCamp: From New York City to Seattle

AileyCamp is a Life-Changing Program of Dance & Development From New York City to Seattle, AileyCamp changes the lives of children ages 11-14. Campers have the chance to master movement and freely express themselves as…, 1/ 5 Nasha Thomas-Schmitt with Newark AileyCampers, photo by Joe Epstein…, Want to learn more about AileyCamp? Explore More Our ability to fund AileyCamp for campers and their family is due to generosity from patrons like you. Support AileyCamp Want more stories like this in your inbox? Sign up…

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey's Night Creature, 2022 ONG performance. Photo by Christopher Duggan

The Secret Behind Alvin Ailey’s Night Creature Costumes

Only one production house has the formula Night Creature, Alvin Ailey’s bubbly champagne cocktail of a dance, shines not only for its movements, but for its exquisite costuming. British costume designer Jane Greenwood…, 1/ 4 Vernard Gilmore and Sarah Daley Perdomo in Night Creature, photo by Christopher…, More Night Creature View video snippets of the work and learn more about Ailey's Night Creature in the repertory section of our website. Check out the Company's tour schedule and see this bubbly work in a city near you.…

Women of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Leap into Women’s History Month Enjoy an epic photo gallery featuring a small handful of formidable women who have graced the stage as part of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. An Ailey dancer understands the spirit of…, 1/ 18 Loretta Abbott, photos by Nicola Cernovitch and Zoe Dominic…, Learn about these extraordinary women and more on our history timeline. Explore Ailey's History

The Ailey School Horton class taught by Ana Marie Forsythe. Photo by Kyle Froman

Exploring the Horton Technique

In Conversation with Ana Marie Forsythe Ana Marie Forsythe discovered the Horton technique at age 12 and quickly fell in love with its blend of Native American dances, anatomical studies, and other movement influences. Today,…

Ailey in Africa 1967. Courtesy Ailey Archives

5 Historic Ailey Tours

For over six decades, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has performed and taught workshops and masterclasses in 71 countries and on six continents, reinforcing Mr. Ailey’s vision that dance is meant to be shared. Designated…

Christopher Taylor. Photo by Nir Arieli.

5 Fun Facts about Rising Star Christopher Taylor

Christopher Taylor, one of the newest members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, has been dancing with the Ailey organization for half his life. During an Ailey Arts in Education program in middle school, he watched a…

The Art and Anguish of Survivors

Steel bars. Somber moves. The cry for justice. Survivors, Alvin Ailey’s moving tribute to Nelson and Winnie Mandela, returns to New York City Center Masazumi Chaya, former Associate Artistic Director, who danced with the…

Judith Jamison in Alvin Ailey's Cry. Photo by Jack Mitchell.

Judith Jamison’s Premiere Performance with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

It was October 30, 1965, when Judith Jamison made her debut as a dancer with the Ailey company, and the world of dance would forever be transformed. The performance took place at the Harper Theater Dance Festival in Chicago,…, 1/ 4 Mari Kajiwara, Melvin Jones, and Judith Jamison in Alvin Ailey's Revelations,…