Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the Ailey Board of Trustees, and staff mourn the untimely passing of two longtime members of the Ailey family: E.J. Corrigan, Technical Director, and Calvin Hunt, Senior Director of Performance & Production, who died within a week of each other in the spring of 2014.
 

Calvin Hunt, left, and E.J. Corrigan, right, during the 2010-2011 Ailey season. Photo by Guido Goldman


E.J. Corrigan made many valued contributions to Ailey's performances since joining the production team in 1988, but he most cherished his self-appointed position as "head of morale," for which he was revered. His tradition of joyous barbecues in tour cities with Ailey dancers and crew and their local counterparts, along with his adventurous spirit, will be greatly missed. Generous of heart, he once biked coast to coast to support those dealing with catastrophic illness. E.J. loved the Ailey company and enjoyed each day to the fullest. Our hearts go out to his daughter Ana Luisa Corrigan, and all his family and friends.

In 1982, at the invitation of Alvin Ailey, Calvin Hunt joined the production staff and over the next three decades he became a pivotal leader within the organization, working closely with Artistic Directors Judith Jamison and Robert Battle. Calvin played an integral role managing Ailey's tours around the world, extending Ailey's role as a cultural ambassador. Calvin had an unparalleled love for Ailey and a passion for life. His sense of humor, wise counsel, and warm friendship will be deeply missed. He was an extraordinary man whose passing is a great loss to the Ailey family and the world of dance. Our hearts go out to his wife Margaret, their two children Eli and Brenna, and his entire family.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrated the lives of E.J. Corrigan and Calvin Hunt at New York City Center on May 20, 2014.  View videos from the memorial service:

• Excerpt from Grace, choreographed by Ronald K. Brown. Performed by Linda Celeste Sims, Demetia Hopkins, Matthew Rushing, Antonio Douthit-Boyd, Vernard J. Gilmore, Glenn Allen Sims, Daniel Harder, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Belen Pereyra, Ghrai DeVore, and Rachael McLaren.
• Remarks by Bennett Rink, Executive Director
• Remarks by Joan Weill, Chairman of the Board of Trustees
• Remarks by Robert Battle, Artistic Director
• Remarks by Al Crawford, Joe Gaito, Dacquiri T'Shaun Smittick, and Kristin Colvin Young
• Remarks by Judith Jamison, Artistic Director Emerita
• Video Memories of E.J. Corrigan and Calvin Hunt
• Excerpt from Opus McShann, choreographed by Alvin Ailey.  "Doo Wah Doo" performed by Matthew Rushing and Glenn Allen Sims.
• Excerpts from Revelations, choreographed by Alvin Ailey:
  "I Wanna Be Ready," performed by Guillermo Asca, music sung by Rachael McLaren and Marcus Jarrell Willis.
  "Rocka My Soul," performed by Hope Boykin, Jeroboam Bozeman, Sean Aaron Carmon, Elisa Clark, Sarah Daley, Ghrai DeVore, Antonio Douthit-Boyd, Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Renaldo Gardner, Vernard J. Gilmore, Jacqueline Green, Daniel Harder, Jacquelin Harris, Collin Heyward, Demetia Hopkins, Megan Jakel, Yannic Lebrun, Michael Francis McBride, Akua Noni Parker, Belen Pereyra, Samuel Lee Roberts, Matthew Rushing, Kanji Segawa, Glenn Allen Sims, Linda Celeste Sims, Jermaine Terry, and Fana Tesfagiorgis.

Notes of condolence may be shared here:

Sign the Guest Book for E.J. Corrigan

Sign the Guest Book for Calvin Hunt

"It is with profound sadness that we report the deaths of two integral members of the production team at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater...Dance companies, even ones as big as Ailey, are like families: The reason you like what you see onstage has much to do with what happens behind the curtain." --Gia Kourlas, Time Out New York
"RIP: Calvin Hunt and E.J. Corrigan of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater"

"These were two of the smartest, kindest, most dedicated men I have known. Their commitment to the Ailey organization was unrivaled...And now we are all crying together. And remembering our youth, our better selves, our friends." --Michael Kaiser, Huffington Post
"Calvin and E.J."