Judith Jamison News

JAG Productions joins full-ship African-American music festival at sea with its production of the profound jazz musical, Lady Day at Emerson's Bar & Grill.

Last night, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th Anniversary holiday season at New York City Center kicked off with a star-studded Opening Night Gala Benefit performance and party led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, with iconic film stars Angela Bassett and Cicely Tyson as honorary chairs. Prudential Financial received the Ailey Legacy Honor for their generous support and commitment to Ailey, especially its education and community programs. The award was presented by Battle and Christopher Taylor, an alumnus of the inaugural AileyCamp Newark (2011) and a current scholarship student at The Ailey School, and accepted by Lata Reddy, Senior Vice President of Diversity, Inclusion and Impact at Prudential Financial.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Center's Principal Dance Company, returns to the theater's stage from November 28 - December 30, 2018 for a milestone season. During the Company's Ailey Ascending 60th Anniversary celebration, Artistic Director Robert Battle leads Ailey's 32 extraordinary dancers during this five-week holiday engagement that will elevate a legacy of excellence in artistry with premieres by some of today's most revered and prolific choreographers, including world premieres by Rennie Harris and Ronald K. Brown; a company premiere by Wayne McGregor; a new production of by Robert Battle; the return of a recent premiere by Jessica Lang, and special performances of rarely seen works by Alvin Ailey himself.

Works & Process, the performing arts series at the Guggenheim, presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater at 60 on Monday, November 5, 2018 at 7:30pm.   In honor of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 60th anniversary, Artistic Director Robert Battle, Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison, and choreographer Rennie Harris join in a conversation moderated by author and television producer Susan Fales-Hill that spotlights what truly makes Ailey so special. Leading up to a milestone holiday season at New York City Center November 28 - December 30, Ailey's acclaimed dancers perform highlights from signature classics by Alvin Ailey, repertory favorites by Robert Battle and Jamar Roberts and commissioned premieres that continue to break new ground, including Wayne McGregor's Kairos, and Rennie Harris' Lazarus - the Company's first-ever two-act ballet.  

As part of the "Ailey Ascending" 60th Anniversary celebration, the Choreography Unlocked Festival of performance, conversation, and master classes will take place at Ailey's home across two weekends - October 12 - 14 & 26- 28. Building on the success of the New Directions Choreography Lab, created by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle in 2011, the festival will elevate The Joan Weill Center for Dance's role in the community as a hub for creating and presenting new work and fostering the next generation of choreographers.  

As the "Ailey Ascending" 60th Anniversary celebration gets underway, Ailey II embarks on a 38-city world tour this Saturday, September 15, continuing through May 18 (schedule below). The renowned 12-member ensemble will inspire audiences in nearly two dozen cities across the U.S., including a stop in Atlanta as part of Ailey's Destination Dance initiative, which uses dance as a centerpiece for engagement through partnerships with cultural, civic, and educational institutions. Ailey II will reach international audiences in Canada, Poland, Germany, France and Luxembourg, and will return home for its annual New York season, taking place at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts March 13 - 17, 2019.    

There is much to celebrate as Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater heads into its 60th Anniversary season entitled Ailey Ascending. In addition to an unparalleled New York City Center holiday season November 28th - December 30th, the organization will honor and carry forward Alvin Ailey's pioneering legacy through a variety of exciting programs and events, including a two-weekend Choreography Unlocked festival of performance, conversation and master classes; rare discussions and legacy panels at partner institutions throughout New York City; and more.

Works & Process at the Guggenheim is pleased to announce its fall 2018 season, which includes new dance and music commissions, and a gala featuring a revival performance of a Works & Process Rotunda Project in the Guggenheim's iconic Frank Lloyd Wright-designed space. Since 1984 the performing-arts series has championed new works and offered audiences unprecedented access to leading choreographers, composers, dancers, musicians, and playwrights, among others. Programs explore the creative process through stimulating discussions with artists and riveting performance highlights. Each 70-minute program takes place in the museum's Peter B. Lewis Theater unless otherwise noted. Additional information is available at worksandprocess.org.

When Alvin Ailey and a small group of African-American modern dancers first took the stage in 1958, appearing at New York City's 92nd Street Y, the engagement was for one night only—but it turned out to be the start of a new era in the performing arts. Mr. Ailey became one of the groundbreaking greats in African American history, while the work of his Company grew beyond the limits of the stage to encompass education at all levels, community outreach and cultural diplomacy. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater now embodies six decades of achievement, celebrating the human spirit with performances that unite and inspire all.

Beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for a seven-performance engagement at the David H. Koch Theater June 13 - 17, 2018.  Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle as it reaches six decades, the Company's repertory for the season features works by eight choreographers - including a world premiere by Jessica Lang - across three programs. Alvin Ailey's must-see masterpiece Revelations is the uplifting finale of each performance.

The Ford Theatres presents Lula Washington Dance Theatre (LWDT) today, June 8 at 8:30pm, as part of its IGNITE @ the FORD! series. For this joyous evening of dance, the Ford Theatres has brought together three renowned choreographers - Kyle Abraham, Rennie Harris and David Rousseve - to set works on one of Los Angeles's most beloved contemporary dance companies, LWDT, alongside pieces by the esteemed Lula Washington and Tamica Washington-Miller. This performance is taking place in recognition of the 2018 Dance/USA Annual Conference, the country's broadest gathering of dance professionals, from June 6-9 in Los Angeles.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, will return to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for a five-day, seven-performance engagement at the David H. Koch Theater from June 13-17.

Artistic Director Robert Battle has announced exciting highlights to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Lincoln Center season at the David H. Koch Theater June 13 - 17. In addition to three diverse programs - Celebrate Women, Ailey, Then & Now, and Musical Icons - the engagement also includes The Ailey Spirit Gala benefit; three new Company dancers; and a series of activities for all as Ailey enters its sixth decade.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) for their 20th annual performance run on Mother's Day Weekend from May 11-13. The three-show celebration is the culmination of the Company's 21-city North American tour. Artistic Director Robert Battle leads Ailey's 32 extraordinary dancers as they continue the Company's legacy of using the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition to uplift, unite, and enlighten. Three diverse and exciting programs spotlighting premieres and new productions by influential choreographic voices will inspire audiences at Prudential Hall, all closing with a stirring finale of Alvin Ailey's always must-see American masterpiece, Revelations.

JAG Productions has announced casting for their upcoming production of Lanie Robertson's Tony award-winning play Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill. Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill directed by Jarvis Antonio Green (JAG Productions: Choir Boy, Fences, JAGfest), will run from May 24th-May 27th at the Engine Room in White River Junction, May 31st-June 3rd at The Grange Theater in Pomfret and June 7-10 at Main Street Landing's Black Box Theater in Burlington, VT.

The Ford Theatres presents Lula Washington Dance Theatre (LWDT) on Friday, June 8 at 8:30pm, as part of its IGNITE @ the FORD! series. For this joyous evening of dance, the Ford Theatres has brought together three renowned choreographers - Kyle Abraham, Rennie Harris and David Rousseve - to set works on one of Los Angeles's most beloved contemporary dance companies, LWDT, alongside pieces by the esteemed Lula Washington and Tamica Washington-Miller. This performance is taking place in recognition of the 2018 Dance/USA Annual Conference, the country's broadest gathering of dance professionals, from June 6-9 in Los Angeles.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will once again grace the stage at New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) Mother's Day Weekend with performances from Friday, May 11 - Sunday, May 13. 'Movement that'll move you" (New York magazine) is guaranteed for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 20th anniversary engagement at NJPAC - the culmination of the Company's 21-city North American tour.  Artistic Director Robert Battle leads Ailey's 32 extraordinary dancers as they continue the Company's legacy of using the African-American cultural experience and the American modern dance tradition to uplift, unite, and enlighten. Three diverse and exciting programs spotlighting premieres and new productions by influential choreographic voices will inspire audiences at Prudential Hall, all closing with a stirring finale of Alvin Ailey's always must-see American masterpiece, Revelations. Reserve tickets for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on May 11 - 13 by visiting NJPAC.org or 888.GO.NJPAC (888.466.5722) or the NJPAC Box Office.

Juilliard announced today that Alicia Graf Mack, former leading dancer of Dance Theatre of Harlem and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will become director of the Juilliard Dance Division on July 1, 2018. Juilliard Dance is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious training programs in the world, offering instruction in both ballet and modern techniques designed to create true contemporary dancers and choreographers.

Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to Seattle's Paramount Theatre with three performances April 27-29, 2018. The Company will perform two Seattle premieres and a total of five works by a wide range of choreographers. Alvin Ailey's timeless and inspiring American masterpiece Revelations will provide the finale for all three programs, which will take place at 8pm on April 27-28 and at 2pm on April 29.

Beloved as one of the world's most popular dance companies, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts for a seven-performance engagement at the David H. Koch Theater June 13 - 17, 2018.  Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle as it reaches six decades, the Company's repertory for the season features works by eight choreographers - including a world premiere by Jessica Lang - across three programs. Alvin Ailey's must-see masterpiece Revelations is the uplifting finale of each performance.