Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater - Detroit Opera

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

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Overview

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has for more than 50 years entertained generations, transcended barriers and celebrated the African American cultural experience. Now, under the leadership of visionary artistic director Robert Battle, don’t miss this Detroit favorite as they honor the legacy of their founder while developing the next generation of choreographers.

Repertoire

Friday Evening

Roy's Joy's
CHOREOGRAPHER: Twyla Tharp
MUSIC: Roy Eldridge

Are You in Your Feelings?
CHOREOGRAPHER: Kyle Abraham
MUSIC: Various Artists

Revelations
CHOREOGRAPHER: Alvin Ailey

Saturday Evening and Sunday Matinee

For Four
CHOREOGRAPHER:  Robert Battle
MUSIC:  Wynton Marsalis

Unfold
CHOREOGRAPHER:  Robert Battle
MUSIC:  Gustave Charpentier (“Louise, Act III, Depuis Le Jour”); Sung by Leontyne Price with vocals by acclaimed soprano Brandie Sutton

Survivors
CHOREOGRAPHER:  Alvin Ailey
MUSIC: Max Roach ("Survivors" and "Triptych"), Strings for “Survivors” orchestrated by Peter Phillips

Revelations
CHOREOGRAPHER: Alvin Ailey

 

Program

Groups

Looking to bring a group of 10 or more? Contact Jeffery Sanders at groupsales@detroitopera.org to save today!

 

 

A Signature Evening with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

 

Join us on Saturday, March 18, 2023 for A Signature Evening with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in support of Dance education and mainstage programming at the Detroit Opera House—one of Detroit's largest cultural assets.

All sponsorships and individual evening packages include a ticket to the March 18, 2023 dance performance.

Click Here to Learn More

 

 

PRESS

“If you haven’t seen Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, you haven’t seen dance…[they’re] the most exciting dance company in the world. If you’ve never seen them perform, you have no idea what the human body can do, in terms of sheer grace, control, elegance, strength, and athleticism.”

- The Huffington Post

“Watching Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater can change your life. If that sounds like a slogan, it’s truth in advertising.” 

- The New York Times

“Movement that’ll move you. Plenty of reasons to see Ailey: the slew of thought-provoking new work and perennial favorites [that] feel especially relevant right now.” 

- New York Magazine

“Works that ignite rapturous responses and rouse the public to its feet out of sheer joy.”

- The Washington Post

“Passion and power mark the Ailey troupe’s annual run. [Robert] Battle is surely doing something right.” 

- Miami Herald

“The Ailey dancers set the stage on fire with contemporary repertory. Talk about electrifying. The dancers wrapped their bodies and souls around works created for them.” 

- Chicago Sun Times

Fast Facts

A Detroit Favorite*

Artistic Director: Robert Battle

Friday Runtime: 2 hours and 8 min with two intermissions
Saturday & Sunday Runtime: 1 hour and 42 min with two intermissions

Program Book: CLICK HERE

“Watching Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater can change your life. If that sounds like a slogan, it’s truth in advertising.”
– THE NEW YORK TIMES

About the Company

 

When Alvin Ailey and a small group of African American dancers took the stage on March 30, 1958 at New York City’s 92nd Street Y, the engagement was for one night only, but it turned out to be the start of a new era in the arts. Mr. Ailey envisioned a company dedicated to enriching the American modern dance heritage and preserving the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience. He became one of the trailblazers of modern dance, and the work of his Company grew to encompass education, community outreach, and cultural diplomacy. To date, the Company has gone on to perform for an estimated 25 million people at theaters in 48 states and 71 countries on six continents—as well as millions more through television, film, and online. More than 270 works by over 100 choreographers have been part of the Ailey repertory. In 2008, a U.S. Congressional resolution designated the Company as “a vital American cultural ambassador to the world.” Before his untimely death in 1989, Mr. Ailey named Judith Jamison as his successor, and over the next 21 years, she brought the Company to unprecedented success. Ms. Jamison, in turn, personally selected Robert Battle to succeed her in 2011, and The New York Times declared he “has injected the company with new life.”

Sponsors

Season Sponsor

Spring Dance Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor

 

Supported by:

and

Richard & Joanne Brodie
Marvin, Betty, and Joanne Danto Family Foundation Endowment Fund
Kevin Dennis & Jeremy Zeltzer

Fast Facts

A Detroit Favorite*

Artistic Director: Robert Battle

Friday Runtime: 2 hours and 8 min with two intermissions
Saturday & Sunday Runtime: 1 hour and 42 min with two intermissions

Program Book: CLICK HERE

“Watching Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater can change your life. If that sounds like a slogan, it’s truth in advertising.”
– THE NEW YORK TIMES

Sponsors

Season Sponsor

Spring Dance Sponsor

Presenting Sponsor

 

Supported by:

and

Richard & Joanne Brodie
Marvin, Betty, and Joanne Danto Family Foundation Endowment Fund
Kevin Dennis & Jeremy Zeltzer