“I am trying to show the world we are all human beings, that color is not important, that what is important is the quality of our work, of a culture in which the young are not afraid to take chances and can hold onto their values and self-esteem, especially in the arts and in dance. That’s what it’s all about to me.”
Alvin Ailey was an acclaimed dancer who changed modern dance forever. In 1958 he formed the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater which operates to this day with the same ethos 65 years later. From the Kennedy Center:
Ailey began his career during a period when opportunities for African American dancers like himself were severely limited. Ailey wanted to create a company that allowed African American dancers to display their talents and to express their experiences and heritage. Decades later, when he formed the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, it was one of the first professional companies where dancers of all races and backgrounds were welcome.
In recent news:
- Alvin Ailey artistic director discusses return to Atlanta during Black History Month – The Atlanta Voice
- New Dances and the Classics Keep Audiences Loving Alvin Ailey The Washington Informer
- A love letter to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – The Atlantic
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