At Right - Dancers Perform in "Revelations"The lights dim and there is a profound hush that rolls over the sold out crowd. Hearts beat loudly with anticipation as the curtains slowly open. A solitary light beams down on a strong, regal-like black woman adorned with a beautiful head wrap. She deliberately unwraps the headpiece an uses it to scrub the floor. After illuminating her trials and sorrows in movement, she eventually rises toward a life of freedom. This dance, depicting the courage and determination of an African American woman entitled, "Cry," is the type of choreography that will immortalize Alvin Ailey.
For the past fifty years, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT), has not only recorded the history of the African American experience through modern dance, but has also touched the lives of children and adults with their physically awe-inspiring, technically exact and powerfully expressive performances. Internationally, they are known as cultural ambassadors of good will, promoting the uniqueness of black Americans and the preservation of the American dance heritage.
Born in Texas, January 5, 1931, Ailey was raised by his single mother. On a junior high school field trip to see The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo he discovered a whole new world of expression, dance. Ailey began his serious dance training when a high school friend brought him to Lester Horton's classes. The influence of Horton's dance troupe, which included American Indian and Japanese influences, can be seen in later years in Mr. Ailey's multi-cultural style.
In 1958, the Ailey Company emerged from performances in New York City. This small group of dancers changed the aesthetic quality of modern dance forever. When Mr. Ailey started creating dances he drew from his childhood experiences with spirituals and blues as his inspiration. It was during this period of his life that he conceived his most loved and acclaimed work entitled, "Revelations." This trilogy portrays an array of spiritual worship, which has become a tradition to see in the "finale" of most performances.
Alvin Ailey was the first modern dance choreographer to successfully produce a "pointe" ballet entitled, "Feast of Ashes." In 1970, after traveling all over the world with their dance, the company became internationally recognized for combining Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Latino and African genres, to produce a fascinating and unique dance experience. That same year, with an original score commissioned from Duke Ellington, Ailey created, "River" for The American Ballet Theatre. This was the first ballet to convincingly merge jazz dance and ballet technique.
Ailey dancers, known for their uncanny versatility and strength, are trained in Horton technique. Ailey is famous for calling Horton a “modern tops and ballet bottoms” approach. The lower body is strong and angular while the upper body remains totally expressive.
After his untimely death in 1989, his long time prodigy, Judith Jamison, became the Artistic Director of AAADT. Following in the tradition of Mr. Ailey she continues to promote new choreographers, a multi-cultural curriculum at the Ailey Center, and initiatives to bring dance into the community through adult and children's arts programs. The Ailey Camp works with preteens, to strengthen their bodies and minds. Developing leadership and communication skills, as well as a respect for themselves and others, the children are encouraged to discover the special inner qualities that they can offer to the world.
Jamison has also blossomed into a choreographer of note. "Love Stories" is a collaboration with Modern dance wonder Robert Battle and Hip-Hop renegade Rennie Harris, set to music by Stevie Wonder. The piece was inspired by the idea of “Sankofa” the Akan word which means “go back” (Sanko) and “take” (fa). The concept means that we don’t know where we are going until we know where we have been. “Love Stories" is about whatever a dancer gets from being in a studio alone in front of a mirror…the solitude of that place,” says Jamison. “It’s about trying to be as honest with oneself as possible. That is what Alvin was always about….bringing us to our true selves.”
The AAADT has performed in most states, and in 71 countries on six continents, for over 21 million people. Dance historians can recall a time when ballet and modern dance were very different and even competitive disciplines. Alvin Ailey and his company changed that forever. During his lifetime, Mr. Ailey has received many prestigious awards including Kennedy Center Honors, in 1998 for his extraodinary contribution to American culture and achievement in the performing arts. The company remains committed to promoting the Ailey heritage in which dance as a medium honors the past, rejoices in the present and marches intrepidly into the future, making new and even more unique contributions to mankind.
Clips from Revelations
Born in Texas, January 5, 1931, Ailey was raised by his single mother. On a junior high school field trip to see The Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo he discovered a whole new world of expression, dance. Ailey began his serious dance training when a high school friend brought him to Lester Horton's classes. The influence of Horton's dance troupe, which included American Indian and Japanese influences, can be seen in later years in Mr. Ailey's multi-cultural style.
In 1958, the Ailey Company emerged from performances in New York City. This small group of dancers changed the aesthetic quality of modern dance forever. When Mr. Ailey started creating dances he drew from his childhood experiences with spirituals and blues as his inspiration. It was during this period of his life that he conceived his most loved and acclaimed work entitled, "Revelations." This trilogy portrays an array of spiritual worship, which has become a tradition to see in the "finale" of most performances.
Alvin Ailey was the first modern dance choreographer to successfully produce a "pointe" ballet entitled, "Feast of Ashes." In 1970, after traveling all over the world with their dance, the company became internationally recognized for combining Modern, Ballet, Jazz, Latino and African genres, to produce a fascinating and unique dance experience. That same year, with an original score commissioned from Duke Ellington, Ailey created, "River" for The American Ballet Theatre. This was the first ballet to convincingly merge jazz dance and ballet technique.
Ailey dancers, known for their uncanny versatility and strength, are trained in Horton technique. Ailey is famous for calling Horton a “modern tops and ballet bottoms” approach. The lower body is strong and angular while the upper body remains totally expressive.
After his untimely death in 1989, his long time prodigy, Judith Jamison, became the Artistic Director of AAADT. Following in the tradition of Mr. Ailey she continues to promote new choreographers, a multi-cultural curriculum at the Ailey Center, and initiatives to bring dance into the community through adult and children's arts programs. The Ailey Camp works with preteens, to strengthen their bodies and minds. Developing leadership and communication skills, as well as a respect for themselves and others, the children are encouraged to discover the special inner qualities that they can offer to the world.
Jamison has also blossomed into a choreographer of note. "Love Stories" is a collaboration with Modern dance wonder Robert Battle and Hip-Hop renegade Rennie Harris, set to music by Stevie Wonder. The piece was inspired by the idea of “Sankofa” the Akan word which means “go back” (Sanko) and “take” (fa). The concept means that we don’t know where we are going until we know where we have been. “Love Stories" is about whatever a dancer gets from being in a studio alone in front of a mirror…the solitude of that place,” says Jamison. “It’s about trying to be as honest with oneself as possible. That is what Alvin was always about….bringing us to our true selves.”
The AAADT has performed in most states, and in 71 countries on six continents, for over 21 million people. Dance historians can recall a time when ballet and modern dance were very different and even competitive disciplines. Alvin Ailey and his company changed that forever. During his lifetime, Mr. Ailey has received many prestigious awards including Kennedy Center Honors, in 1998 for his extraodinary contribution to American culture and achievement in the performing arts. The company remains committed to promoting the Ailey heritage in which dance as a medium honors the past, rejoices in the present and marches intrepidly into the future, making new and even more unique contributions to mankind.
Clips from Revelations
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