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| Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison, and Robert Battle. Photo by Eric N. Hong, Andrew Eccles, and Brian Guillaux |
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater began on March 30, 1958
with a debut performance, featuring late master choreographer, Alvin Ailey and a professional ensemble of black modern dancers.
Forming into a resident dance company in 1960, the dance theater began establishing its reputation in the 60s with Alvin Ailey’s classic
masterpiece, Revelations, along with gaining international status under the presidential selection of John F.
Kennedy’s “President’s Special International Program for Cultural
Presentations.”
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| Loretta Abbott and Alvin Ailey in Revelations. Photo by Nicola Cernovitch |
In 1963, the company continued to solidify its history in
modern dance, performing in Duke Ellington’s "My People: First Negro Centennial" – Ellington’s historical
composition, commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation
Proclamation. From the mid-sixties
through decade’s end, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continued a series
of historical performances, as Ailey choreographed Anthony and Cleopatra, starring Leontyne Price, to an opening
performance at the 1968 Olympics and a subsequent performance at The White
House for President Johnson.
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| Alvin Ailey and Carmen de LaVallade. Photo courtesy of Ailey Archives |
Closing out the 60s with the establishment of a school, the dance
company continued performing throughout the world and locally with an early 70s
performance of Ailey’s Cry, further bringing to light Ailey’s choreographic mastery and
Judith Jamison’s magnificent talent as a dancer.
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| Alvin Ailey Photo by Normand Maxon |
From then on, a timeline of innumerable awards and
performances followed under the directions of Founder, Alvin Ailey and Artistic
Director Emerita, Judith Jamison, both receiving prestigious awards and medals
along with the company itself, which continues to reign as masters of
modern dance under current directions of Artistic Director, Robert Battle,
and Associate Artistic Director, Masazumi Chaya who are carrying on the legacy
of Ailey’s modern dance movement with a troupe of professional dancers.
The
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is currently on a
23-city North American tour continuing through May, followed by a return to New
York’s Lincoln Center in June. For complete
tour engagements, visit http://www.alvinailey.org/2014-north-american-tour
