The Ailey Blog

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,…

Ailey II Artistic Director Francesca Harper and Ailey II dancers. Screenshot from Ailey II video.
Ailey II: Legacy Shaping the Future of Dance

Get to know Francesca Harper and how her deep understanding of the Ailey legacy influences her work with Ailey II.   Ailey II Artistic Director Francesca Harper follows in the footsteps of the strong Black women that came…

Ailey II Artistic Director Francesca Harper. Photo by Nir Arieli.
New Ailey II Artistic Director

Announcing Ailey II's New Artistic Director, Francesca Harper Internationally renowned performer, choreographer, director, and multi-disciplinary artist Francesca Harper has been appointed Artistic Director of Ailey II, the…

Jacqueline Green in Revelations, photo by Paul Kolnik
Ailey's Opening Night Virtual Benefit

While we truly wish we could host our traditional in-person Opening Night Gala, we’re thrilled that going virtual means even more of our Ailey family can join us on this very special night. This year’s first-ever Opening…

two dancers
Announcing Ailey’s Virtual Season, Dec 2–31

"This season we look forward to joining with you on a journey of reinvention and reimagination, that takes Ailey’s artistry to new heights with excellence, beauty, strength, hope, and love." —Robert Battle While we miss…

Revelations dancers
Thank you for your outpouring of support!

We hope you and your families remain safe and healthy. While this time continues to test us all, it also continues to reinforce our perseverance, humanity, creative courage, and deep commitment to each other. We are grateful…

A Message from Ailey Artistic Director Robert Battle

"Not all the works are political, but they certainly reflect my feelings about what goes on in this country. I mean I can't get over that, I'm a black man living in this." —Alvin Ailey As a black man living in this and as the…

Ailey Dancers Dance Together While Apart

Even in these hard times, our dancers strive to bring the world joy from the comfort of their own homes. During this stressful period, we find comfort and relief in the beauty of dance. Please enjoy this video created by some…

Part of Greenwood district burned during the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921
The Greenwood Story

The 35-block Greenwood District in Tulsa, Oklahoma, dubbed America's "Black Wall Street" by Booker T. Washington, became a prosperous center for black commerce in the early 1900s.  On May 30, 1921 a 19-year-old black man named…

Meet Jamar Roberts: Ailey’s First Resident Choreographer

  Jamar Roberts first saw the Ailey company perform in Miami, FL when he was a kid. He says, “I obsessed about it for a couple months,” but then he forgot about it until it was time to graduate from college. His professor…

Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya. Photo by Andrew Eccles.
Masazumi Chaya To Retire As Associate Artistic Director

After nearly five decades with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, our beloved Masazumi Chaya will retire as Associate Artistic Director at the conclusion of the New York City Center season on January 5, 2020. Having joined…, 1/ 5 Photo by Jack Mitchell…

Experience Ailey Live
Ailey Cal Performances Updates

Dear Friends: Due to a planned University of California system-wide strike that impacts the event, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s performance on Wednesday, April 10 at 8pm has been rescheduled to Sunday, April 14 at 7:…

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