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 Faculty, has been appointed Creative Director of AILEY. She turns into the fourth Creative 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 dying at age 81 of Creative 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, mentioned, “Dwelling heritage is central to the inventive achievement of Alvin Ailey, and it’s simply as integral to AILEY as a company. As we go the inventive management of AILEY to Alicia Graf Mack, who was launched to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater beneath Judith Jamison’s path, carried out beneath 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 abilities as a dance artist, educator, administrator, and communicator, will be sure that each the traditions and the innovation of AILEY stay sturdy for years to return.”
Anthony A. Lewis, Board member and head of the choice committee, mentioned, “Out of the numerous gifted and extremely certified candidates we reviewed as a part of an in depth search course of, Alicia Graf Mack rose to develop into our clear-cut alternative. Her document of success at The Juilliard Faculty, 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 Creative Director for AILEY’s future.”
Graf Mack mentioned, “It’s the respect 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 reside in right now, and the world we hope to see. I’m deeply grateful to AILEY’s Board for putting its belief in me, and am significantly aware at this second of the abiding affect of Judith Jamison, who introduced me into this extraordinary group and can eternally 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 workforce together with the great Matthew Speeding, who’ve carried AILEY into the current as such a vibrant and indispensable inventive power, I provide my profound thanks. I’ll give my all to reside as much as this nice accountability, in service to the Firm, our many supporters, our beloved audiences and all the AILEY neighborhood in every single 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 Creative Director Matthew Speeding. This yr’s Opening Evening Gala, honoring legendary dance educator Jody Gottfried Arnhold, will function the return of Ronald Ok. Brown’s Grace on its 25th anniversary, with reside 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 along with her unparalleled grace and energy. Celebrating the life and legacy of Creative Director Emerita Judith Jamison, the season will showcase the world premieres of Sacred Songs by Matthew Speeding, 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 reside music performances.
Bennett Rink, Govt Director of AILEY, mentioned, “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 growing our group, Alicia Graf Mack will place the distinctive stamp of her personal management on AILEY whereas remaining true to our heritage. Understanding the nice respect she has for Mr. Ailey’s legacy and her complete understanding of the a number of inventive, academic, and social roles that the AILEY group performs on this planet, I look ahead with the best enthusiasm to working along with her as AILEY takes its subsequent steps into an thrilling future.”
As Creative Director, Graf Mack will oversee the inventive program of all the AILEY group, which incorporates Ailey II, The Ailey Faculty, Ailey Arts In Training & Neighborhood Applications, and Ailey Extension. Alvin Ailey mentioned, “Dance is for everyone. I imagine that dance got here from the individuals and that it ought to all the time be delivered again to the individuals.” Right this moment, AILEY is among the world’s main trendy dance corporations and a worldwide ambassador of American tradition, deftly weaving efficiency, training, and neighborhood programming collectively to have a good time the human spirit and encourage, enlighten, and unite individuals of all backgrounds. AILEY is presently 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.
