Press Coverage

April 19, 2023

All Arts - At Alvin Ailey, Choreographers Explore New Directions in Dance

The eight-part ALL ARTS digital series "Alvin Ailey New Directions" traces the creative journeys of choreographers Quilan “Cue” Arnold and Maria Bauman during their New Directions Choreography Lab residencies. The studio is a stage in filmmaker Steven Tabakin’s “Alvin Ailey New Directions,” an eight-part digital series that follows choreographers Quilan “Cue” Arnold and Maria Bauman as they work with dancers from The Ailey School as part of their New Directions Choreography Lab residencies.

February 28, 2023

Dance Teacher - Renee Robinson Is on a Mission to Get Dancers Excited About Dance History

For the up-and-coming generation, dance history doesn’t always sound like the most exciting course. But for students at The Ailey School, former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer Renee Robinson is bringing enthusiasm to the class by helping her students make personal connections to the past. Robinson’s training began with classical ballet at 9 years old at The Jones and Hayward School of Ballet in Washington, DC. The school formed a small, regional ballet company called The Capital Ballet Company, where Robinson performed during her teenage years before graduating high school and moving to New York City.

February 25, 2023

Ebony - New York State Launches Travel Initiative To Increase Black Tourism

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced the launch of the “I Love NY” Black travel initiative, which is designed to grow tourism and encourage Black travel in New York State, during a presentation at the Joan Weill Center for Dance in New York City, home of the famed dance organization founded by Alvin Ailey. Dr. Hazel N. Dukes, president of the NAACP New York State Conference and a member of the NAACP National Board of Directors, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle gave remarks, followed by a performance from the Ailey School.

February 24, 2023

CBS 2 NY - New "I Love New York" campaign focuses on African American culture, history and activism

NEW YORK -- Gov. Kathy Hochul announced a tourism campaign highlighting Black History Month. The Alvin Ailey Student Dance Group kicked off the celebration Friday morning in Midtown, showcasing the importance of culture in New York. Hochul said the new "I Love New York" tourism campaign focuses on African American culture, history and activism. "We'll shine a light on abolition, the Underground Railroad, the civil rights movement, Black Lives Matter and beyond," said Hochul. "This building is where we come together to create dance that inspires, educates and unites," said Robert Battle, Alvin Ailey American Dance artistic director.

September 29, 2022

Dance Teacher - The Ailey School’s Ana Marie Forsythe Is on a Mission to Share Horton Technique With the Next Generation

International master teacher Ana Marie Forsythe has devoted nearly 50 years of her life documenting the Lester Horton technique in an effort to preserve it. “Dance has given me gifts that I never realized were possible when I took my first plié,” she says. “I enjoy sharing my breadth of knowledge of the Lester Horton technique because it has been a real gift to me, and I believe we should share our gifts with others.”

March 21, 2022

Broadway World - Dancer Spotlight: Hannah Alissa Richardson Of Ailey II Performing At The Ailey Citigroup Theater 3/23 To 4/3

First-year Ailey II member Hannah Alissa Richardson will join, the celebrated second company to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, as they return to their home, The Ailey Citigroup Theater, for a highly anticipated two-week season featuring 10 performances from March 23 to April 3. In the first New York Season led by Artistic Director Francesca Harper, the gifted 12-member ensemble will showcase their artistry in three programs featuring premieres and returning favorites: Dichotomous, New Lens and Pulse, as well as the special celebrating Robert Battle's 10th anniversary program paying homage to his visionary leadership and Ailey journey, which began in 1999 choreographing Mood Indigo for the second company. Broadwayworld had the pleasure of interviewing Hannah Alissa Richardson about her career and the upcoming performances by Ailey II.

February 17, 2022

The New York Beacon - Francesca Harper Is Changing The Trajectory Of The Ailey II Company New York

Francesca Harper, internationally renowned performer, choreographer, director, and multi-disciplinary artist, has changed the trajectory of The Ailey II Company New York after being tapped by Robert Battle, Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, to lead the renowned dance company in the 21st century. Harper assumed the duties of Artistic Director of Ailey II, the Ailey organization's acclaimed company of young dancers September 7, 2021, and immediately started preparing for Ailey II's return to the stage.

May 1, 2021

Dance Magazine - Best Of Both Worlds

For years, young dancers fresh out of high school who wanted to continue their training were faced with a choice: Join a trainee program or enroll as a dance major at a four-year university. Nowadays, the options are vast, ranging from one-year postgraduate training programs and second company positions to unique partnerships between lauded dance academies and colleges. As attitudes around dancers going to college have shifted, aspiring professionals now have a host of paths to choose from.

October 1, 2020

PBS Thirteen - NYC ARTS Profile: Spirit Of Ailey

A celebration of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and its educational mission, featuring dancer Solomon Dumas.

June 17, 2020

The Fordham Observer - Dancing Queen: Courtney Celeste Spears' Journey From Artists To Businesswoman

Dancer, actress, model, writer, entrepreneur, teacher and now businesswoman: Courtney Celeste Spears, Fordham College at Lincoln Center '16, is a master at turning her dreams into reality and is determined to use her platform to change the world.