More Than Dance : Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

ANCHOR:
The world renown Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrated its 50th anniversary in New York. Ailey's continued success stems from an approach more broader than just dancing.

STORY:
The 50th anniversary of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater marks a great celebration for the dance company, who has now performed for over 21 million people worldwide since its conception.

Moreover the dance company's desire to promote African American culture and modern dance has won it recognition by a congressional resolution as a American Cultural Ambassador to the World.

At the root of the dance company is faith in God. Founder Alvin Ailey found inspiration through spirtuals and gospels during his upbringing.

Judith Jamison, Artistic Director

"It is about a strong belief in God. And a strong belief that you can hit any precipice in your life and you will be able to succeed on the other hand and that there is a promise land.

Being a dancer for Alvin Ailey is more then just having great technique you also need character.

Renee Robinson, Principal Dancer

"I have been in the company for 26 years and I remember as a young dancer listening to him speak to the more season dancers. When you are not in the studio I know you do not have much time to go out and learn about other things. You have to go and see other performers. You have to continue to read and study. The richer you are as a person the more the audiences will enjoy the performances."

Besides enriching lives through dance on stage, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater spreads the medium of dance through classrooms and workshops.

Renee Robinson, Principal Dancer
"It's not just performance, we also go to the community and talk to children and give master classes and workshops. We reach across the street and around the world."

For 18 months the dance organization will celebrate with performances, special events, and free dance workshops throughout New York City.

So if you would like to learn a little bit more about African American culture and modern dance. Here is the place to be. It is the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Center and it is actually not very hard to find. The street has been named in honor of Alvin Ailey. This is Sean Seid NTDTV, New York.

Category:

Entertainment

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[scottishrosefaerie]

From the moment I saw these people perform, I was in love. They are amazing talented people who do what they do so well. I got the chance to see them in Philadelphia, a dream come true. They are amazing and anyone who made negative comments are seriously missing the point of what these people are doing. I don't see any of you doing anything this beautiful with your lives.

[Magesa]

These clips really don't do justice to the actual company. I've seen the dance which is in the videos: it may not look all that special in these short clips, but the dance, called "Revelations," is one of the absolutely most extraordinary things I've ever seen, when its live and seen in its entirety. This is a famous and fantastic company, much more so than is evident in the video.

[babyphatgurl3271]

you should type n collage dance company we are dancing too bird we are realli kud i been dancing wit dem fo 4 yearz we are amazing young hs studentz danceing like we ben dancn all of our livez (witch most of us have) but day are lyk 5 ppl who just started and dat wuz der 1st performace kud u tell no

[babyphatgurl3271]

i wnt to avlian alaily diz summa itz so funn imma be a perfes.dancer wen i ket out of hiigh skool day are very funn and funni ppl too work with

[antoniomrtz]

you just showed your ignorance with that comentary

[anshinmaru1]

I just saw this fantastic dance company in Louisville - they are terrific. I read some ignorant comments about race. I am white and feel these dancers are wonderful - I could care less what color they are - they are artists, beautiful and strong. "Revelations" is extraordinary. Go see them.

[webbsjwebb]

thanks for the negative perpetuation of all the ugly stereotypes some of us are trying to rise above. why would anyone log onto an artistic site such as this, which is dedicated to beauty and act so g d stupid? learn to better yourselves, starting with speaking and writing...

[looseassociation]

ignorant

[undrgrndwmn]

There are white people in the company.