Artistic Director, Alicia Graf Mack speaks with Tamron Hall about the New York City Center Center season, from December 3 – January 4, 2026. Ailey dancers, Isabel Wallace-Green, Solomon Dumas, and Hannah Richardson perform “Wade in the Water,” from Alvin Ailey’s Revelations.
Chicago native and dancer for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Solomon Dumas, speaks with ABC 7 about The Company’s engagement this weekend at The Auditorium.
Back in 2001, Solomon Dumas’ mother was listening to the car radio when she heard an interview with some of the dancers from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Her son had planned to enroll in theater camp, but after hearing about AileyCamp — a summer dance program for youth — she decided to enroll him there instead.
Alvin Ailey was a choreographer who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958 at just 27 years old. Ailey choreographed over 100 ballets and was known to showcase the many experiences of African Americans. Today, his legacy still lives at his dance theatre in New York.
In celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company members Khalia Campbell, Jacquelin Harris and Solomon Dumas perform an excerpt of Wade in the Water apart of Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece, Revelations on Live with Kelly & Ryan.
It was at Chicago’s Auditorium Theatre where dancers with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater would unknowingly perform for the last time before a nearly two-year hiatus. Fast forward to today, and they’re back on their first national tour. Ailey's Artistic Director Robert Battle and Chicago-native dancer Solomon Dumas speak with Angel Idowu about the Company's return.
When I was in high school, my friends at The Chicago Academy for the Arts told me about Lisa Johnson-Willingham, an impressive former Ailey dancer who was teaching Horton at Joel Hall Dancers & Center on Thursday nights. I decided I ought to give her class a try. The first time I went, I didn’t even pay for class. In fact, I don’t think I ever paid for her class. She was tough as nails, but she was always generous. The room was packed with people from all over the city. From modern dancers to professional ballet dancers to young students—everyone wanted to learn from her. Her classroom got so hot from sweaty bodies that the windows completely fogged up and contrasted the cold night outside.
A celebration of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and its educational mission, featuring dancer Solomon Dumas.
Since 1958, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has earned a reputation for passionate performance and innovation. The company’s mission is to “use the beauty and humanity of African-American heritage – and other cultures – to unite all people.” When the group performs at the Auditorium Theatre this week, it will be a homecoming for Chicago native Solomon Dumas. He’s one of 32 dancers in the national touring company. Dumas was just 13 years old when he first saw the acclaimed group at the Auditorium Theatre. A year earlier, he trained at AileyCamp Chicago, a summer day camp program for at-risk kids in 10 cities across the United States.
One of the world’s most popular dance companies, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are out with their annual showcase, “Ailey Revealed.” Watch three members of the company give a live studio performance of a portion of Ailey’s signature piece, “Revelations.”