The Ailey Blog

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…

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…

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…