The Ailey Blog

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 Collage
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,…

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…

See Where Ailey Began

Founded in 1958, the company embodies Mr. Ailey’s pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people.

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