The Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Basis have introduced that Alicia Graf Mack, extensively celebrated for her dance artistry throughout her years with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and for her management because the Dean and Director of the Dance Division of The Juilliard College, has been appointed Inventive Director of AILEY. She turns into the fourth Inventive Director in AILEY’s 66-year historical past, following Alvin Ailey, Judith Jamison (herself a famend star of the Firm) and Robert Battle. Graf Mack will assume her position with AILEY as of July 1, 2025.
Information of Graf Mack’s appointment follows shortly after the loss of life at age 81 of Inventive Director Emerita Judith Jamison, who introduced Graf Mack into Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and championed her work. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s 2024-25 season, which begins on December 4, celebrates the life and legacy of Jamison.
Daria L. Wallach, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Basis, stated, “Dwelling heritage is central to the inventive achievement of Alvin Ailey, and it’s simply as integral to AILEY as a company. As we cross the inventive management of AILEY to Alicia Graf Mack, who was launched to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater below Judith Jamison’s course, carried out below the management of Robert Battle, and electrified the Firm’s audiences across the nation and the world, we honor and have a good time the legacy that goes again to Mr. Ailey himself. We all know that this highly effective continuity throughout the generations, mixed with Ms. Graf Mack’s excellent skills as a dance artist, educator, administrator, and communicator, will be sure that each the traditions and the innovation of AILEY stay robust for years to come back.”
Anthony A. Lewis, Board member and head of the choice committee, stated, “Out of the numerous gifted and extremely certified candidates we reviewed as a part of an intensive search course of, Alicia Graf Mack rose to grow to be our clear-cut alternative. Her file of success at The Juilliard College, her profound reference to AILEY, and the intangible private {and professional} qualities she possesses make her an distinctive chief. We’re satisfied that she is the Inventive Director for AILEY’s future.”
Graf Mack stated, “It’s the dignity of a lifetime to step into this position and proceed the legacy of Alvin Ailey — a legacy rooted in celebrating the wonder and resilience of the human spirit. I’m dedicated to preserving the corporate’s wealthy heritage whereas boldly exploring new voices and views that push the boundaries of dance and mirror the world we dwell in at this time, and the world we hope to see. I’m deeply grateful to AILEY’s Board for putting its belief in me, and am significantly conscious at this second of the abiding affect of Judith Jamison, who introduced me into this extraordinary group and can without end be an inspiration to me and current in all of us. To all of the dancers who’ve embodied Mr. Ailey’s imaginative and prescient, to Robert Battle, and to the inventive group together with the great Matthew Dashing, who’ve carried AILEY into the current as such a vibrant and indispensable inventive pressure, I provide my profound thanks. I’ll give my all to dwell as much as this nice accountability, in service to the Firm, our many supporters, our beloved audiences and your complete AILEY group all over the place.”
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s annual five-week vacation engagement at New York Metropolis Middle from December 4 via January 5, has been ready by Interim Inventive Director Matthew Dashing. This 12 months’s Opening Night time Gala, honoring legendary dance educator Jody Gottfried Arnhold, will characteristic the return of Ronald Ok. Brown’s Grace on its 25th anniversary, with dwell music by Tony® and GRAMMY® Award-winning artist Leslie Odom, Jr. with composer, visible artist, and GRAMMY® Award-winning vocalist Cécile McLorin Salvant. The finale of Ailey’s Cry may even be carried out, to pay tribute to Judith Jamison, who originated the position and ignited the ballet together with her unparalleled grace and energy. Celebrating the life and legacy of Inventive Director Emerita Judith Jamison, the season will showcase the world premieres of Sacred Songs by Matthew Dashing, Discovering Free by Hope Boykin, Many Angels by Lar Lubovitch (his first world premiere for the Firm), and Al-Andalus Blues by Jamar Roberts, in addition to a brand new manufacturing of Elisa Monte’s Treading, and a beneficiant collection of traditional repertoire by Alvin Ailey and dwell music performances.
Bennett Rink, Govt Director of AILEY, stated, “Carrying ahead into a brand new technology the daring imaginative and prescient of our founder, Alvin Ailey, and constructing upon the main achievements of Judith Jamison and Robert Battle in creating our group, Alicia Graf Mack will place the distinctive stamp of her personal management on AILEY whereas remaining true to our heritage. Understanding the good respect she has for Mr. Ailey’s legacy and her complete understanding of the a number of inventive, instructional, and social roles that the AILEY group performs on the planet, I look ahead with the best enthusiasm to working together with her as AILEY takes its subsequent steps into an thrilling future.”
As Inventive Director, Graf Mack will oversee the inventive program of your complete AILEY group, which incorporates Ailey II, The Ailey College, Ailey Arts In Training & Group Packages, and Ailey Extension. Alvin Ailey stated, “Dance is for everyone. I consider that dance got here from the individuals and that it ought to at all times be delivered again to the individuals.” At this time, AILEY is among the world’s main trendy dance firms and a worldwide ambassador of American tradition, deftly weaving efficiency, schooling, and group programming collectively to have a good time the human spirit and encourage, enlighten, and unite individuals of all backgrounds. AILEY is at the moment partnering with the Whitney Museum of American Artwork to current Edges of Ailey (via February 9, 2025), the primary large-scale exhibition to have a good time the life, creativity, affect, and enduring legacy of Alvin Ailey.
For extra info, go to www.ailey.org.
