About AILEY

Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack with members of the Company
Please Credit Photo: Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack with members of the Company. Photo by Andrew Eccles
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Founded by Alvin Ailey on March 30, 1958, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is one of the most acclaimed dance companies in the world. With a repertory that boasts close to 300 works by more than 100 choreographers, it has performed in more than 70 countries on six continents and has been designated a "vital American Cultural Ambassador to the World” by a US Congressional resolution. 

The Ailey Organization includes: Ailey II (a second performing company of young dancers and emerging choreographers), The Ailey School (one of the world's most extensive dance training programs), Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs (which bring dance into classrooms and communities), and Ailey Extension (offering dance and fitness classes to the public). Using the American modern dance tradition and the beauty of the African American cultural heritage, AILEY enlightens, unites, and inspires all people.   

Featured News Releases

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Announces December 2 Opening Night Gala With Multiple Grammy Award-Winning Artist SZA And Award-Winning Filmmakers Spike Lee And Tonya Lee As Honorary Chairs

NEW YORK — October 13, 2026 — On Wednesday, December 2, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will raise the curtain on its 2026-27 season at a dazzling Opening Night Gala with multiple Grammy Award-winning artist SZA and Award–winning filmmakers Spike Lee and Tonya Lee as Honorary Chairs. Kicking off the company’s five-week holiday engagement at New York City Center, the gala begins with a 6:30pm one-night-only program featuring the world premiere of Power of Love in honor of music icon Luther Vandross, followed by dinner and dancing at the Ziegfeld Ballroom.

Ailey Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack Announces Debut Children's Book, Introducing Rhythm, With Vibrant Illustrations

NEW YORK – September 24, 2026 – Alicia Graf Mack, the Daria L. and Eric J. Wallach Artistic Director of AILEY, announces her debut children’s book, Introducing Rhythm, set for release on November 9 to kick off National Children’s Book Week (November 9–15). With full-color illustrations by artist Justin Campbell, Introducing Rhythm invites readers ages 4–12 into a joyful world of movement, music, and self-discovery.

Ailey II, The Next Generation Of Dance, Launches 2026-27 Season with 27-City US Tour

NEW YORK, NY – September 2, 2026 – Ailey II, the dynamic second company to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will embark on a 27-city tour across the country, September 22, 2026–April 11, 2027. The next generation of dance will present a riveting repertory featuring a world premiere by Ailey II’s very own Artistic Director Francesca Harper in collaboration with Jermaine Spivey, mesmerizing new productions by Alvin Ailey and Ronald K. Brown, and cherished classics that showcase the company’s virtuosity. The season concludes with a New York City spring engagement at the Ailey Citigroup Theater from March 31 to April 11.

Featured Press Coverage

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Dance Informa - Alicia Graf Mack announces debut children’s book, ‘Introducing Rhythm’

Alicia Graf Mack, the Daria L. and Eric J. Wallach Artistic Director of AILEY, announces her debut children’s book, Introducing Rhythm, set for release on November 9 to kick off National Children’s Book Week (November 9–15). With full-color illustrations by artist Justin Campbell, Introducing Rhythm invites readers ages 4–12 into a joyful world of movement, music, and self-discovery.

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The Root - Why the ‘Confuse the Enemy’ Challenge is the TikTok Dance White Folks Can’t Seem to Get

It looks like Black dancers finally have a trending TikTok dance that white folks can’t steal or replicate with the “Confuse the Enemy” challenge. Syncopated arm movements, dramatic running and Camden Bop choreography have caused the trend to go viral among Black audiences on TikTok – without the unwelcome interference from white content creators. Then, late last week, Ailey dancers entered the discourse with their own dance cover. “Did someone call for us?” the video was captioned. Four performers — Corrin Rachelle Mitchell, Isabel Wallace-Green, Shawn Cusseaux and Ashley Kaylynn Green — joined the trend from backstage dressed in a mix of costumes and street clothes, as they were minutes away from the start of a performance of the iconic Ailey piece “Revelations.”