In a black and white archival image, Judith Jamison grins infectiously as she dances. She wears a long white dress, the skirt of which she lifts into a ripple with one arm as she moves lithely on the balls of her feet, knees bent.

TBT: How Judith Jamison Started Dancing for Alvin Ailey

“There is about her an aura of mysticism. She appears onstage, larger than life, more an apparition than a performer, compelling us to look upon her as we might a temple dancer—with a sense of religiosity, of awe.” Those were the opening lines of Olga Maynard’s November 1972 Dance Magazine cover story on Judith Jamison, then in her late 20s and at the height of her powers as a star performer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

3 Reasons Why We're Pumped for the New "AILEY" Documentary

Calling all dance history enthusiasts: the AILEY documentary opens today in movie theaters nationwide. Directed by Jamila Wignot, the work is a moving biography of the legendary choreographer, dancer, director, and activist Alvin Ailey. Here are just a few reasons why we can’t wait to watch it. #1 The doc enables us to explore Ailey’s […]

Alvin Ailey’s Jacqueline Green in “Cry”

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrates the 50th anniversary of one of its seminal works Cry with a new filmed version, performed by Jacqueline Green. It’s currently streaming for free on the company’s YouTube channel until May 22. At the time Cry was choreographed in 1971, Josephine Baker was perhaps the only Black woman dancer […]

You Can Now View More Than 10,000 Photos From Jack Mitchell's Alvin Ailey Collection Online

From 1961 to 1994, legendary photographer Jack Mitchell captured thousands of moments with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Now, this treasure trove of dance history is available to the public for viewing via the online archives of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture. The collection includes both color and black-and-white images […]

Dance Magazine Award Honoree: Masazumi Chaya

When Masazumi Chaya moved to New York City in 1970, leaving his Japanese homeland behind, he never dreamed he would become one of the longest-serving artists with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. For 47 years, Chaya has been a constant force in the Ailey studios: first as a dancer for 15 years, then as […]

Alvin Ailey Is Getting the Full Hollywood Treatment

Here’s some Monday news to rock your soul: An upcoming Fox Searchlight film about the life of Alvin Ailey just got even more enticing—Barry Jenkins, the filmmaker who won an Oscar for Moonlight, has signed on as director. It feels like quite a fitting hire. Back in 2017, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater artistic director […]

Yes, It Is Possible to Work Full Time and Be A Professional Dancer

Few dancers are able to make a comfortable living from their creative pursuits alone. Many rely on non-dance freelance work or multiple part-time gigs, fearing that a full-time job would take too much time away from their dancing. However, plenty of artists manage to balance full-time day jobs with fulfilling dance careers, opting for the […]