Alvin Ailey: 60 Years of Revelations

Alvin Ailey rose from a childhood of extreme poverty in the segregated world of small-town Texas to become a leading figure in the world of modern dance.

As a choreographer, dancer and director, Mr. Ailey played an important role in establishing black modern dance. He became a noted Broadway dancer and, starting in the late 1950’s, a choreographer of work that explored and celebrated a wide range of the black experience.

His company gained the nickname “Cultural Ambassador to the World” because of its extensive international touring. Ailey’s choreographic masterpiece Revelations is believed to be the best known and most often seen modern dance performance. He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1988. In 2014, President Barack Obama selected Ailey to be a posthumous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

At the age of 22 Ailey met and befriended Hollywood dance choreographer Lester Horton. It was then, Ailey began full-time study at Horton’s school and became a mentee of Horton. He joined Horton’s company in 1953, making his debut in Horton’s Revue Le Bal Caribe. It was during this period that Ailey performed in several Hollywood films. Like all of Horton’s students, Ailey studied other art forms, including painting, acting, music, set design, and costuming, as well as ballet and other forms of modern and ethnic dance.

When Horton died in November 1953 the tragedy left the company without an artistic director. The company had outstanding contracts that required and desired new works. When no one else stepped forward, Ailey assumed the role of artistic director. Despite his youth and lack of experience (Ailey was only 22 years old and had choreographed only one dance in a workshop) he began choreographing, directing scene and costume designs, and running rehearsal and he also directed one of the shows for the company.

To offer more opportunities for Black talent, Ailey formed his own group, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, in 1958. The group presented its inaugural concert on March 30, 1958. Notable early work included Blues Suite, a piece deriving from blues songs. Ailey’s choreography was a dynamic and vibrant mix growing out of his previous training in ballet, modern dance, jazz, and African dance techniques. Ailey insisted upon a complete theatrical experience, including costumes, lighting, and make-up. A work of intense emotional appeal expressing the pain and anger of African Americans, Blues Suite was an instant success and defined Ailey’s style.

“Mr Ailey wanted to say something about our beauty, our intelligence, our craft and our experience,” says Judith Jamison, lead dancer in the 60’s and 70’s, as well as former Ailey artistic director. “He wanted to make dance accessible.”

For his signature work, Revelations, Ailey drew upon his “blood memories” of Texas, the blues, spirituals, and gospel. These forces resulted in the creation of his most popular and critically acclaimed work. Ailey originally…

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Alvin Ailey rose from a childhood of extreme poverty in the segregated world of small-town Texas to become a leading figure in the world of modern dance.

As a choreographer, dancer and director, Mr. Ailey played an important role in establishing black modern dance. He became a noted Broadway dancer and, starting in the late 1950’s, a choreographer of work that explored and celebrated a wide range of the black experience.

His company gained the nickname “Cultural Ambassador to the World” because of its extensive international touring. Ailey’s choreographic masterpiece Revelations is believed to be the best known and most often seen modern dance performance. He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1988. In 2014, President Barack Obama selected Ailey to be a posthumous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

At the age of 22 Ailey met and befriended Hollywood dance choreographer Lester Horton. It was then, Ailey began full-time study at Horton’s school and became a mentee of Horton. He joined Horton’s company in 1953, making his debut in Horton’s Revue Le Bal Caribe. It was during this period that Ailey performed in several Hollywood films. Like all of Horton’s students, Ailey studied other art forms, including painting, acting, music, set design, and costuming, as well as ballet and other forms of modern and ethnic dance.

When Horton died in November 1953 the tragedy left the company without an artistic director. The company had outstanding contracts that required and desired new works. When no one else stepped forward, Ailey assumed the role of artistic director. Despite his youth and lack of experience (Ailey was only 22 years old and had choreographed only one dance in a workshop) he began choreographing, directing scene and costume designs, and running rehearsal and he also directed one of the shows for the company.

To offer more opportunities for Black talent, Ailey formed his own group, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, in 1958. The group presented its inaugural concert on March 30, 1958. Notable early work included Blues Suite, a piece deriving from blues songs. Ailey’s choreography was a dynamic and vibrant mix growing out of his previous training in ballet, modern dance, jazz, and African dance techniques. Ailey insisted upon a complete theatrical experience, including costumes, lighting, and make-up. A work of intense emotional appeal expressing the pain and anger of African Americans, Blues Suite was an instant success and defined Ailey’s style.

“Mr Ailey wanted to say something about our beauty, our intelligence, our craft and our experience,” says Judith Jamison, lead dancer in the 60’s and 70’s, as well as former Ailey artistic director. “He wanted to make dance accessible.”

For his signature work, Revelations, Ailey drew upon his “blood memories” of Texas, the blues, spirituals, and gospel. These forces resulted in the creation of his most popular and critically acclaimed work. Ailey originally…

Continue Reading