History - 1963

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Collaborates with Duke Ellington

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs in a Chicago program entitled “My People: First Negro Centennial,” a collaboration between Duke Ellington and Talley Beatty.

Judith Jamison sees Alvin Ailey perform with the Company for the first time in Philadelphia.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs at the Rio de Janeiro International Arts Festival.

Joined the Repertory in 1963

Explore Current Repertory

Credit

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Amy Hall Garner's 'CENTURY', photo by Paul Kolnik

CENTURY Amy Hall Garner

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Kyle Abraham's Are You in Your Feelings? Photo by Paul Kolnik

Are You in Your Feelings? Kyle Abraham

Credit

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Caroline Dartey in Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish's 'Me, Myself and You', photo by Paul Kolnik

Me, Myself and You Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's James Gilmer and Coral Dolphin in Alonzo King's 'Following the Subtle Current Upstream'. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

Following the Subtle Current Upstream Alonzo King

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Ronald K. Brown's Dancing Spirit. Photo by Paul Kolnik

Dancing Spirit Ronald K. Brown

Members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey's 'Memoria'. Photo by Steve Wilson.

Memoria Alvin Ailey

lvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Vernard Gilmore in Alvin Ailey's Reflections in D. Photo by Paul Kolnik.

Reflections In D Alvin Ailey

View All Current Repertory

Labyrinth

Labyrinth, choreographed by Alvin Ailey, made its earliest appearance in 1963 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music only to be reconceived as Ariadne on the Harkness Ballet in 1965. The theme of the ballet was based on the Greek tale of Theseus and the Minotaur. It was premiered in Paris in the space that is now used by the Festival de Danses du Marais. This work remained in the repertoire of the Harkness Company for several years.