Judith Jamison’s stunning, Emmy Award-winning 1993 tribute to Alvin Ailey uses explosive, full company dances and quiet solos to illuminate Ailey’s humanity and the dancers’ unique qualities. Narrative recollections from dancers are arranged by the multi-talented actor/playwright Anna Deavere Smith.

Hymn is a unique collaboration between two highly acclaimed talents from the worlds of dance and theater paying homage to Alvin Ailey. In this stirring tribute, using text derived from interviews with the entire company and Ailey’s own words, the dancers create a love letter to Mr. Ailey. Words and dancing illuminate each other and in episodic form the audience is taken on a moving journey of Ailey’s incredible contribution to dance and humanity.