Repertory

Nantucket Current - Acclaimed Dance Company Ailey II Performs At The Dreamland

The Dreamland hosted Ailey II, an internationally acclaimed second company of the legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, for a sold-out show this week, as well as a special performance for island students. The engagement marked the first time Ailey II has ever performed on Nantucket, and it was the official opening stop of the company's 2026–27 national touring season. The performance "stands as one of the most significant cultural performances in the Dreamland's history as the island's year-round nonprofit film, performing arts and cultural center," the non-profit stated.

The St. Louis American - A Bridge of Dance, Sound and Black Creative Imagination

This year marks a century since the births of musical giants — including John Coltrane and the region’s own Miles Davis and Chuck Berry. And in a season where Dance St. Louis is celebrating its 60th anniversary, it feels fitting that the organization chose to honor St. Louis’ own Berry not with nostalgia, but with new creation. Ailey II’s St. Louis stop at the Touhill Performing Arts Center delivered a tribute engrained in legacy, but pulsing with the urgency of now. The centerpiece of the evening was Berry Dreamin’, a new work choreographed by Chalvar Monteiro and set to the unmistakable twang and fire of Chuck Berry’s catalog. The ballet, commissioned by Dance St. Louis as part of its milestone anniversary, unfolded like a stream of consciousness. It became a dreamscape where thoughts don’t arrive in straight lines but in bursts, loops, and flashes of color

Fox 2 KTVI - Ailey II performs in St. Louis

Studio STL speaks with Ailey II’s Artistic Director, Francesca Harper, and company members, Meredith Brown and Xhosa Scott about the company’s engagement in St. Louis including the St. Louis premiere of Chalvar Monteiro’s Berry Dreamin’ in honor of Chuck Berry.

St. Louis Post - Dispatch - Dance St. Louis celebrates Chuck Berry’s 100th birthday with world premiere dance

When you think of dancing to Chuck Berry music, you may think duck walks or sock hops, but new choreography will have you seeing rock'n'roll originator and St. Louis native in a whole new light. This weekend, Ailey II will perform the world premiere of "Berry Dreamin,'" a contemporary work commissioned by Dance St. Louis for its 60th anniversary season to celebrate what would have been Chuck Berry's 100th birthday this year. Choreographed by Chalvar Monteiro, the piece draws on Berry's music and spirit while imagining a dreamlike world or memory, intimacy and human connection.

Hollywood Soapbox - INTERVIEW: Renée I. McDonald explores social media with latest Ailey II piece

Renée I. McDonald pulls double duty in life. She’s an acclaimed choreographer, whose latest work, Likes vs Life, is currently being presented at The Joyce Theater in Midtown Manhattan, courtesy of Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She’s also an attorney practicing in Jamaica. Both of these professions would seem to require a thorough and constant presence on social media, but McDonald is a once-in-a-while type of user of social media. And, in fact, the detrimental impacts of social media is the thesis of her new work.

Hartford Courant - Legendary African American Dance Company Returns to CT with Dances Featuring Chuck Berry and Beyond

Ailey II is a national treasure, one of just a handful of touring dance companies with the versatility, efficiency, malleability and bedrock creativity to work on a wide variety of stages and efficiently bring cutting-edge modern dance works to the masses. Many different Connecticut theaters have hosted Ailey II over the years, including the Westport Country Playhouse this past May. This week, Ailey II is bringing one of the several dance programs in its current repertoire to the Shubert Theatre in New Haven on Oct. 18.

Sheen Magazine - Ailey II, The Next Generation of Dance, Launches 28-City Tour October 4, 2024 – May 1, 2025

Ailey II, the celebrated second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will embark on a 28-city tour, October 4, 2024-May 1, 2025. The next generation of dance will captivate audiences across the United States from Albuquerque, NM, to Kansas City, MO, to Miami, FL, before returning home for its annual New York City season, March 26–April 6 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater. The 2024-25 repertory features two world premieres by former Ailey II member Alia Kache and by Houston Thomas, as well as repertory favorites and beloved classics.

Pix 11 - Celebrating 50 Years Of Ailey II

Francesca Harper, the artistic director of Ailey II, joins PIX11 to discuss the upcoming Golden Anniversary program at the Joyce Theater celebrating 50 years since the dance company was founded. Harper also brings along dancers from the program to give a preview of the upcoming performance.

Ailey II Performs Alvin Ailey's Revelations at Canterbury Cathedral

CBS2 NY - Dancers Of Ailey II Return After Lengthy Pandemic Pause; "It's A Homecoming For Me," Says Artistic Director Francesca Harper

The dancers of Ailey II are back on stage after a long pandemic pause. The season returns with exciting new works and leader Francesca Harper, who tells CBS2's Dave Carlin she feels like she's just come home. Carlin had an Illuminating conversation with Harper, the renowned dancer, choreographer, singer and writer whose role now is artistic director of Ailey II. On Wednesday the season opened, and she took the stage to introduce her dancers. She has familiarity with Ailey dating back to her childhood. Her mother was a dancer and longtime educator at Ailey, and she counts as her mentors the legend Judith Jamison and Sylvia Waters. She talked about the new work she premiered for the company and how she hopes it brings people hope.