Robert Battle News

Under the direction of Charles O. Anderson, Dorothy O'Shea Overbey and Gesel Mason, The University of Texas at Austin's award-winning dance company Dance Repertory Theatre returns to the stage in Fall For Dance, November 6-11 at the B. Iden Payne Theatre. An examination of embodiment and innovation through contemporary ballet, Fall For Dance features works by renowned guest artists, including Gregory Dolbashian and Sidra Bell. 

The Nurturing New Voices panel was a discussion on how arts institutions can nurture new voices. Moderated by Ailey Artistic Director Robert Battle with participants including Thelma Golden (Director and Chief Curator of The Studio Museum in Harlem), Rennie Harris (Founder of Rennie Harris Puremovement and Ailey's 2018–19 Artist-in-Residence), Tarell Alvin McCraney (playwright), Shanta Thake (Senior Director of Artistic Programs at the Public Theater), and Darren Walker (President of The Ford Foundation).

The night remained forever young at this year's Bessies, what with live performances, videos, tearful and grinning thank you's, hugs and cheers for the new slew of winners, and a costume sashay thrown into wild mix of celebration that took place tonight, October 8, at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.  As a prelude to the goings-on inside, impromptu dance performances, including Simone Forti's "Huddle," took place outside.  Ayodele Casel and Shernita Anderson hosted the evening.

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.  

Ailey's 60th Anniversary holiday season at New York City Center, November 28 - December 30, will elevate a legacy of innovation and excellence in artistry with premieres by some of today's most revered and prolific choreographers along with timeless treasures by Alvin Ailey. From Rennie Harris comes the Company's first two-act work, Lazarus, inspired by the life and legacy of Mr. Ailey and addressing the racial inequities our nation has faced, in 1958 when the company was founded and today.

10 Hairy Legs, the all-male repertory dance company is pleased to announce that Nikolas Owens and Michael Wang are members of 10 Hairy Legs, effective immediately. They join current company members Alex Biegelson, Robert Mark Burke, Derek Crescenti, Jared McAboy, Alexander Olivieri, Nicholas Sciscione and William Tomaskovic. Company member Bios.

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.

Northrop announces its 2018-19 Film Series, featuring several Oscar-winning films and diverse artistic voices from around the world. 

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.

The Princess Grace Foundation-USA (PGF-USA) has announced the winners of the 2018 Princess Grace Awards. The Awards will be presented at the annual Princess Grace Awards Gala and continue the legacy of Princess Grace (Kelly) of Monaco, who helped emerging artists pursue their artistic goals during Her lifetime. In total, the Foundation is awarding over $1 million to artists in theater, dance, and film. In the presence of Her Serene Highness The Princess of Monaco, this year's Gala will be held at Cipriani 25 Broadway on October 16, 2018. The evening will be co-chaired by Dennis and Phyllis Washington and Anne Sweeney and Phillip Miller.

The New Orleans Ballet Association announces its 2018-2019 dance season packed with stellar performances by four brilliant and world-renowned dance companies, including Diavolo | Architecture in Motion, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and BODYTRAFFIC, and a special 50th Anniversary Evening of Stars that will kick off NOBA's golden season (1969-2019).

Glasses clinked and cheers crowded the air as this year's 43 Bessie nominees were announced and celebrated today, July 11, at a cocktail party/press conference at Gibney 280, along with the winners of 2018 Juried Bessie Award and the 2018 NY Dance and Performance Award for Outstanding "Breakout" Choreographer.  (See attached for list of selected nominees)

As Ailey enters its sixth decade, AileyCamp, the organization's innovative full-scholarship day camp, marks its 30th anniversary reaching over 1,000 inner-city students in 10 cities nationwide with a life-changing experience. Founded by Alvin Ailey and Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey in 1989, AileyCamp is being implemented in collaboration with local organizations in Kansas City, MO; Kansas City, KS; Atlanta, GA; Baltimore, MD; Berkeley, CA;Chicago, IL; Miami, FL; Seattle, WA; Bronx, NY and Newark, NJ.  The valuable summer program gives underserved students ages 11 to 14 a supportive environment to use dance as a vehicle for developing self-esteem, self-discipline, creative expression and critical-thinking skills.

Battery Dance, in association with Battery Park City Authority, announces the 37th Annual Battery Dance Festival with performances from August 12-17, 2018 from 7pm to 9pm against the breathtaking backdrop of the New York Harbor at Robert F. Wagner Jr. Park in Battery Park City, culminating in a closing event and reception on August 18, 2018, from 6pm to 8pm at The Schimmel Center at Pace University. For more information, visit http://batterydance.org/battery-dance-festival/.

Juilliard Dance announces its 2018-19 season of performances of world premieres, masterworks in repertory, and new works developed by Juilliard students. The cornerstone of the season is New Dances: Edition 2018, featuring four world-premiere dances by innovative choreographers Stefanie Batten Bland (fourth-year class), alumnus Peter Chu (third-year class), Nelly van Bommel (second-year class), and Marcus Jarrell Willis (first-year class). Performances take place December 7, 8, 10, and 11, at 7:30pm and December 9 at 3pm in Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater. In the spring semester, Juilliard Spring Dances features repertory works by acclaimed choreographers: Bill T. Jones' D-Man in the Waters (Part 1); Alejandro Cerrudo's Little Mortal Jump; and Martha Graham's The Rite of Spring. Performances take place on March 27-29, at 7:30pm and March 30, at 2pm and 7:30pm in Juilliard's Peter Jay Sharp Theater.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's latest seven-performance stint at New York City's Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts reinforced that the beloved company brings an unrivaled level of artistry and athleticism to everything they do – from classical ballet to jazz and contemporary.

Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's 2018 Lincoln Center engagement continued last night with the star-studded Ailey Spirit Gala. The one-night-only benefit performance and party featured Honorary Chair Jussie Smollett, who stars on Fox's Empire and recently released his debut album, Sum of My Music. The evening honored Vikas Kapoor and Ailey Trustee Jaishri Kapoor for their remarkable support of the Ailey organization and their dedication to Ailey's educational initiatives. Gala Co-Chairs were Stephen Meringoff & Kim Charlton, Almaz & Marc S. Strachan, and Daria L. & Eric. J. Wallach; and Vice Chairs were Michele & Timothy Barakett, Robyn & N. Anthony Coles, Leslie & Tom Maheras, and Pamela D. Zilly & John H. Schaefer. Over $1 million was raised to support Ailey's extensive educational and training programs for young people, including AileyCamp and scholarships to The Ailey School.

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.