Observer
  • Business
  • Art
  • Lifestyle
  • Culture
Newsletters
  • Business
    • Finance
    • Media
    • Technology
    • Policy
    • Wealth
    • Insights
    • Interviews
  • Arts
    • Art Fairs
    • Art Market
    • Art Reviews
    • Auctions
    • Galleries
    • Museums
    • Interviews
  • Culture
    • Theater
    • Opera
    • Dance
    • Film
    • Interviews
  • Lifestyle
    • Nightlife & Dining
    • Style
    • Travel
    • Gift Guides
    • Interviews
  • Power Index
    • Nightlife & Dining
    • Business of Art
    • A.I.
    • PR
  • About
    • About Observer
    • Advertise With Us
    • Reprints
Newsletters

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Founded in 1958 by Alvin Ailey, a trailblazing African American choreographer and dancer, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has been headquartered in New York City, serving as a platform for showcasing the richness of African American heritage through the medium of dance. Ailey’s vision was to create a company that would celebrate the unique traditions and experiences of the African American community, breaking barriers and challenging societal norms through powerful and evocative performances. The repertoire of the company encompasses a wide range of styles, including modern dance, ballet, and African dance, all infused with Ailey’s signature expressionism and emotional depth. Notably, the company’s signature piece, “Revelations,” choreographed by Ailey himself in 1960, has been hailed as a masterpiece of modern dance, exploring themes of struggle, resilience, and joy through the lens of the African American spiritual tradition. Read more about Theater and Dance.

A dancer seated on a bench lifts his arms in front of a screen as an audience of visitors, including children and a photographer, watches inside the interactive exhibition "Dancing the Algorithm" at Jacob’s Pillow.

Norton Owen, Alvin Ailey and A.I. in the Berkshires

With photo archives, video and generative A.I., the latest exhibitions at Jacob’s Pillow invite visitors to reflect on the choreography of memory and innovation.
By Caedra Scott-Flaherty
Five dancers lie intertwined on a stage beneath a dramatic backdrop of clouds. They wear light, flowing costumes, and their pose suggests a sense of yearning or reaching towards something greater.

Ailey’s Angels: A Look at the Company’s New York City Center 2024 Season

In classics and world premieres, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater brings us as close as we can get to the ultimate unknown.
By Caedra Scott-Flaherty

‘Edges of Ailey’ Brings Dance to the Whitney

Don't miss the accompanying performance series with a lineup that includes Trajal Harrell, Ralph Lemon, Kevin Beasley and Sarah Michelson.
By Caedra Scott-Flaherty
Two dancers, a man and a woman, perform floor work on a darkened stage

92NY Celebrates 150 Years With Spectacular Performances and a New Exhibition

By Caedra Scott-Flaherty
A male dancer holds a female dancer with her splayed legs stretched

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Premieres Two New Works at City Center

By Caedra Scott-Flaherty
Woman with blonde hair wearing dark blue blazer

Art World Comings and Goings: The Guggenheim’s New Director and More

By Alexandra Tremayne-Pengelly
A group of dancers on stage reaches for the sky

Brooklyn Bonds: Alvin Ailey’s Return to BAM

By Caedra Scott-Flaherty

How Strength Training Helped Dancer Elisa Clark Return to the Stage

By Charlotte Barnett

Choreographer Ellenore Scott Is Changing Broadway Two Shows at a Time

By Sarah Parker

No Total Lockdown for Broadway During Omicron Surge

By Annie Levin

Dance Masters and Brand-New Opera in NYC This Fall

By David Cote

The Summer’s Best Performances of Dance and Opera, From Lincoln Center to Alvin Ailey

By David Cote

Troy Powell, Artistic Director of Ailey II, Has Been Fired for Sexual Misconduct

By Juan Michael Porter II

Superb Dancing Makes Up for What Choreography Lacks at Alvin Ailey

By Robert Gottlieb

Brandon Stirling Baker Is the Lighting Designer Dance’s Brightest Stars All Want to Work With

By Charlotte Barnett

The Ups and Downs of 2018’s Fall for Dance

By Robert Gottlieb
Stack-Up Choreography: Talley Beatty Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Credit Photo: Paul Kolnik studio@paulkolnik.com nyc 212-362-7778

Ailey Goes on Hunting for Stronger Repertory

By Robert Gottlieb
Revelations.

‘Revelations’—For Better or Worse—Remains Alvin Ailey’s Only Masterpiece

By Robert Gottlieb
Lucinda Childs’ Dance.

This Fall’s Dance Season Is Jam-Packed

By Robert Gottlieb
Satellite Collective

Look Out for This Stylish Art Collective

By Wayne Northcross
Return, performed by the Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Two Dance Companies Move Beyond Balanchine

By Robert Gottlieb

These 20 Heroes Under 40 Give Millennials a Good Name

By The Editors
Robert Battle's Awakening. (Photo by Paul Kolnik)

Alvin Ailey’s Superb Dancers … And Their Less Than Superb Repertory

By Robert Gottlieb
Mentor Henry Mcgee was a major influence in Mr. Whitaker's personal and professional life. (Photo: Andy Kropa/Getty Images)

Mark Whitaker: Henry McGee Guided Me Through New York’s Media World

By Mark Whitaker
More
  • ARTS
    • Art Fairs
    • Art Market
    • Art Reviews
    • Auctions
    • Galleries
    • Museums
  • BUSINESS
    • Energy
    • Finance
    • Media
    • Policy
    • Technology
    • Climate
  • CULTURE
    • Books
    • Dance
    • Film
    • Opera
    • Theater
  • LIFESTYLE
    • Autos
    • Hotels
    • Nightlife & Dining
    • Restaurants
    • Style
    • Travel
  • WEALTH
    • Billionaires
    • Parties
    • Philanthropy
    • Real Estate
  • EXPERT INSIGHTS
    • A.I. Experts
    • Art Market Experts
    • Climate Experts
    • Finance Experts
  • POWER LISTS
    • PR Power List
    • Nightlife & Dining
    • Business of Art
    • A.I. Power List
  • INTERVIEWS
    • Art World
    • Business Leaders
    • Tastemakers
    • Entertainers
  • ABOUT
  • ADVERTISE
  • CONTACT
  • NEWSLETTERS
  • RSS FEEDS
  • SITEMAP
  • TERMS
  • PRIVACY
  • REPRINTS
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Cookie Settings
  • Do not sell my data
Powered by WordPress VIP

We noticed you're using an ad blocker.

We get it: you like to have control of your own internet experience.
But advertising revenue helps support our journalism.

To read our full stories, please turn off your ad blocker.
We'd really appreciate it.

How Do I Whitelist Observer?

How Do I Whitelist Observer?

Below are steps you can take in order to whitelist Observer.com on your browser:

For Adblock:

Click the AdBlock button on your browser and select Don't run on pages on this domain.

For Adblock Plus on Google Chrome:

Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Enabled on this site.

For Adblock Plus on Firefox:

Click the AdBlock Plus button on your browser and select Disable on Observer.com.

Then Reload the Page