Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater launched its first-ever virtual season, bringing people from all across the world together through dance. Associate Artistic Director Matthew Rushing and choreographer Yusha-Marie Sorzano discuss the virtual season and the process of developing a new work during a pandemic.
The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has been devastating for the performing arts in New York City, with concert venues and Broadway theaters shut down. But those who run the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater were determined not to cancel the Company's traditional holiday shows. The result is Ailey Forward, a series of nine performances online that are available for free. Ailey Forward is a fitting title for these presentations, which extend from now through to the end of the year. The work was filmed at a variety of locations in the city, including Wave Hill Public Garden and Cultural Center overlooking the Hudson River in the Bronx. That's where a new work called "Testament" was filmed, and it is a tribute to Ailey's resilience.
Through the end of December, you can enjoy free virtual performances from The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Associate Artistic Director Matthew Rushing and former company member Yusha-Marie Sorzano discuss Ailey Forward and their new ballet Testament, as a celebration of Revelations 60th anniversary.
Every December, the dancers of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre fill the City Center stage, night after night, with their joy, very, and technical prowess. Traditionally, most of those performances end with "Revelations," Ailey's signature work from 1960. Ailey's virtual season kicks off, on Dec. 2, with an online gala, featuring excerpts from "Revelations," filmed outdoors at Wave Hill, in the Bronx.
NPR's Michel Martin speaks with Robert Battle, artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, about their new all virtual season and how the pandemic has impacted the world of dance.
As if Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater didn't have enough to deal with while creating a high-profile new work during the pandemic, there was the weather. Rain scuttled much of an outdoor shoot for its new dance film, "Testament," — a contemporary response to the company's signature piece, "Revelations."
The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater has become a cultural landmark in the world of dance. For the last six decades, dancers from the iconic company have performed signature masterpieces all over the globe. Now as we celebrate the holidays during these unprecedented times, the theater debuts its first virtual engagement to honor one of its classic ballets called Revelations.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle joins "GMA" live to share a sneak peak of the Company’s groundbreaking new season, titled "Ailey Forward."
Join us for a conversation with living legend, Judith Jamison. Ms. Jamison is the Artistic Director Emerita for Alvin Ailey.
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is the latest company to move ahead with new work while performing arts spaces remain almost completely shut down in New York. The troupe's monthlong December season will include a world premiere from Jamar Roberts, Ailey's choreographer in residence, and the debut of a collaborative response to Alvin Ailey's "Revelations" by Matthew Rushing, Clifton Brown and Yusha-Marie Sorzano.