The Miami Times - Ailey II Ascending
World class dance company brings elite young dancer and three premieres to the Arsht Center.
Francesca Harper
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.
Dance Magazine - How Dancers Can Push Past Typecasting to Create Fuller Careers
When Sara Mearns was a young dancer with New York City Ballet, she says, she kept finding herself in a certain kind of role: “big dancing, dramatic, romantic, emotional.” It took her late coach Susan Hendl to imagine her in something different, casting Mearns in Jerome Robbins’ Dances at a Gathering. “She was the first person that took a chance on me doing something quieter,” says Mearns. “I’m so grateful to her, because once she did that, then everybody else saw it and was like, ‘Oh, wait, she can dance another way.’”
Dance Teacher - How to Cast and Coach Dancers in Roles Outside of Their Comfort Zones
Shortly after Adam McKinney took the helm at Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre in 2023, he promoted Grace Rookstool from the corps de ballet to soloist. The following season, he cast her as both the Sugar Plum Fairy and a stepsister up to mischievous antics in Cinderella. During PBT’s most recent season, McKinney says, he was certain she’d “perform a sumptuous ‘Emeralds.’ ” Rookstool also embodied Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, ending the run with an onstage promotion to principal.
Here & Now - Interview with Francesca Harper and Sylvia Waters
Ailey II’s Artistic Director, Francesca Harper, and Artistic Director Emerita, Sylvia Waters discuss the rich, 50-year history of Ailey II.
The New York Times - A Proving Ground Always in Motion
Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, turns 50 this year. Since its creation, some things have remained consistent: It has always served as a bridge between student and professional life. It has always been filled with ambitious young people aspiring to join the main troupe. And, as members of every generation agree, the experience has always been demanding — extremely so.
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.
Dance Magazine - Why I dance
My relationship with dance has been defined by witnessing. It began at an early age within the vibrant walls of the dance studio. It was more than a space of movement; it was my haven, a second home sculpted by the passion of my mother—Denise Jefferson, a devoted student and teacher of Martha Graham’s technique, and eventually director at The Ailey School. She was passionately devoted to her craft.
NBC New York - Dancing Into History At Ailey II
News 4’s Checkey Beckford interviews Artistic Director of Ailey II, Francesca Harper.
Avenue Magazine - Performance Enhancers: A New Wave Of Leaders Are Transforming The Dance World
Francesca Harper, Artistic Director Ailey II. The dancer, choreographer, singer, actor, producer, teacher, director and educator, as well as ballet consultant for the Oscar-winning Black Swan, became the artistic director of AIley II eight months ago, following in the footsteps of her late mother, Denise Jefferson, who directed The Ailey School from 1984 until 2010. "It feels so much bigger than me," she has said of the appointment.