The Ailey Blog

Bennett Rink, photo by Andrew Eccles
Meet Executive Director Bennett Rink

Over his 30 years with the Ailey organization, and as Executive Director since 2013, Bennett Rink has been guided by Alvin Ailey’s own words: to give dance back to the people.   Mr. Rink, who is celebrating his tenth year in…

Ailey Campers in Ballet Class
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…

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…

Noggin
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…

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

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:…

Sur le Pont d'Avignon by Ailey II

Ailey II brings the popular children’s song “Sur le Pont d’Avignon” to life as they dance their way across the medieval bridge. The first two lines of the song “Sur le pont d’Avignon/On y danse, on y danse” translates to “On…

Ailey II Dances Like You

Ailey II company members hit the streets of New York City for inspiration and New Yorkers obliged by showing off their best dance moves. Then, the Ailey II dancers put all the moves together to create a whole new high-energy…

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.

Explore Our History

Join Us

Premium seats reserved for members only. Learn more about how you can help support Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and enjoy great perks.

Learn More