The story of the life, work, and legacy of dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey, founder of the world-renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, is explored in the eight-part documentary series Portrait of Ailey, available for free on the AILEY website.

Conceived and directed by Ailey II Artistic Director Emerita Sylvia Waters in collaboration with Dominique Singer and the Ailey Archives, this exceptional film series charts the course of Mr. Ailey’s life, from his early childhood influences to his professional collaborations with composers, designers, and generations of dancers. Combining rare archival performance footage of Mr. Ailey with interviews and historical images, Portrait of Ailey is a beautiful work of art as well as an invaluable resource for anyone interested in learning more about our founder and his artistic accomplishments.

Portrait of Ailey is also a unique learning tool for dance educators as well as social studies and history teachers in grades 9–12. By accessing Portrait of Ailey via PBS LearningMedia, educators can share videos with students online, use the “Build a Lesson” tool to craft curriculum-based lessons inspired by the films’ themes, and download handouts and discussion questions to engage your class in Mr. Ailey’s historic creative legacy. 

"Portrait of Ailey" and each of its chapters are made available for educational use only. Commercial and all other use or distribution of "Portrait of Ailey", in whole or part, is strictly prohibited without the express written authorization of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc.