Ailey II Artistic Director Troy Powell Annouces Three New Commisions and 30 Cities on World Tour

On September 15^th, Ailey II will embark on a 31-city world tour with 21 domestic stops includingKansas City, MO; Fayetteville, NC; Boulder, CO and Columbus, OH.  The international portion of Ailey II's tour will take them to Neuss Germany and nine French cities including Cannes, Beauvais and Toulon (full schedule on page two).  New Artistic Director Troy Powell will build upon Ailey II's remarkable tradition and bring a fresh dimension to this beloved company during his inaugural season.

 Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country's best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today's most outstanding emerging choreographers.  Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular dance companies in the country under the leadership of Sylvia Waters (from 1974-2012), combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs.  After over a decade of working alongside Sylvia Waters as Associate Artistic Director, Troy Powell announces three richly diverse new commissions in his first year as Artistic Director.

 "I'm extremely excited about this year's world premieres," says Troy Powell.  "I set out to challenge our 12 dancers and our fans by bringing in three new choreographic voices that expand the variety of what Ailey II presents to audiences all around the world."

 Acclaimed Paris-born choreographer Benoit-Swan Pouffer – a former member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the current Artistic Director of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet – brings a European flare to Ailey II's repertory with his new work, Rusty.  Set to the pulsating tones of composer Mikael Karlsson's score, Rusty features a cast of nine dancers, ethereal movement and lush partnering.  This contemporary piece explores the experiences of young artists – the challenges they face and the relationships they build as performers.  In 2010, Pouffer choreographed and appeared in the dance scenes for the big screen motion picture "The Adjustment Bureau" staring Matt Damon and Emily Blunt.

 Chicago native Malcolm Low – a 2012 New Directions Choreography Lab Fellow chosen by Robert Battle, Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – is a highly-regarded evolving choreographic talent.  His new work, One Forgotten Moment – set to original music by Damon White – depicts the love and loss of various relationships.  At times assertive and vulnerable, this work magnificently showcases the dancers' physical prowess and finesse. 

 Amy Hall Garner is emerging as one of America's diverse creative talents, with a career that spans from Broadway to ballet.  In her new work, Virtues – set to a vibrant score by Karl Jenkins – Garner delivers high energy with a sophisticated edge.  The dancers radiate with regal grace, while deftly executing a distinctive blend of contemporary modern and jazz movement.  Mrs. Garner has previously created works for students of The Ailey School and in 2011,  she became one of the first recipients of Joffrey Ballet's Choreographers of Color Award.

 This season, the Company welcomes seven new dancers; Jeroboam Bozeman, Tyler Brown, David Adrian Freeland Jr., Gentry George, Daphne M. Lee, Olivier Medus and Edward Spots.  In addition to the three world premiere works, Ailey II's touring repertory will include favorites such as Ailey Highlights, Divining, Doscongio, Echoes, External Knot, Quintet, Reference Point, Revelations,Shards, Splendid Isolation II, Takademe and The Hunt.  The Company will perform alongside members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and The Ailey School in Revelations with an expanded cast of 50 during Alvin Ailey's five-week New York season, November 28 - December 30.  After the conclusion of their world tour in early March, Ailey II will return to New York for its annual two-week season at The Ailey Citigroup Theater, March 13^th to March 24^th.  For more information visit www.alvinailey.org. 

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