The Kennedy Center Announces Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

The groundbreaking Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to the Kennedy Center for its annual engagement with seven performances on the Opera House stage from February 5 10. Celebrating its 60th Anniversary season, the company has had a long-standing impact on modern dance and uniqueness in promoting the African American cultural experience. Led by Artistic Director Robert Battle, the company's performances include Lazarus, the newest work by choreographer Rennie Harris co-commissioned by the Kennedy Center and premiered to acclaim during the company's recent New York season; three D.C. debuts; one new production; and a special Timeless Ailey classics program. Alvin Ailey's American masterpiece Revelations will be performed as the finale for all seven programs.

Washington, D.C. premieres include Lazarus by Rennie Harris, Kairos by Wayne McGregor, and The Call by Ronald K. Brown. Acclaimed Hip Hop choreographer Rennie Harris returns to Ailey with the company's first two-act ballet and a Kennedy Center co-commission, Lazarus. Inspired by the life and legacy of Ailey, Harris connects past and present in a powerful work that addresses the racial inequities America faced when Ailey founded the company in 1958 and still faces today. As the final piece of a trilogy of works from Harris, Lazarus includes a score by Darrin Ross and incorporates spoken word.

Kairos, choreographer Wayne McGregor's second Ailey company premiere, fills the stage with sinuous, angular movement, and synchronicity. The ballet is framed by Idris Khan's dramatic set design and played out to Vivaldi's The Four Seasons, re-imagined by experimental composer Max Richter. The Call, which is Ronald K. Brown's seventh work for the company, includes themes of spiritual awakening and redemption. Brown's mix of modern and West African dance idioms is described as his love letter to Mr. Ailey, and is set to recordings of Johann Sebastian Bach (performed by Chris Thile, Edgar Meyer, and Yo-Yo Ma), Mary Lou Williams, and Asase Yaa Entertainment group.

New Production of a Work
As a new production of a work this season, Juba, Artistic Director Robert Battle's first work for the company, explores where ritual and folk traditions exist in today's society, as five dancers engage in a modern day Rite of Spring with an abstract twist. An original score by John Mackey for string quartet and percussion drives the mood of this edgy, ritualistic work.

60th Anniversary Classics Program
Timeless Ailey, a special 60th Anniversary Classics program, features two acts of rarely seen excerpts of more than a dozen treasures from Alvin Ailey's rich body of work, including highlights of seldom-seen gems like The Lark Ascending, Hidden Rites, and Choral Dances, as well as perennial favorites like Love Songs, Night Creature, Cry, and Revelations.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will begin its annual engagement at the Kennedy Center with an 20th Annual Opening Night Gala Benefit on February 5, 2019. Proceeds from the Gala will support Ailey's Washington, D.C. programs, including the creation of new works, arts-in-education activities, and scholarships to talented young dance students from the D.C. area to attend The Ailey School in New York City. As part of the Kennedy Center's educational programming, the company will offer a mini-performance for students on February 7, 2019. Former company member Nasha Thomas will also lead a Revelations Celebration Workshop with assistance from former company member and D.C. native Renee Robinson on the Millennium Stage on Saturday, February 9 at 5:30 p.m.

Dancers from the D.C. metropolitan area include: Ghrai DeVore & Jermaine Terry (Washington, D.C.) joined in 2010, Samantha Figgins (Washington, D.C.) joined in 2014, Daniel Harder (Bowie, MD) joined in 2010, Jacqueline Green (Baltimore, MD) joined 2011, Courtney Celeste Spears (Baltimore, MD) joined in 2018.

The company has made frequent appearances at the Kennedy Center, dating back to the Center's opening performance in 1971 when Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater participated in the world premiere of Leonard Bernstein's Mass, choreographed by Alvin Ailey.

Tickets start at $49. Tickets can be purchased at the Kennedy Center box office or by calling Instant Charge at (202) 467-4600. Patrons living outside the Washington metropolitan area may dial toll-free at (800) 444-1324. For all other ticket-related customer service inquiries, call the Advance Sales Box Office at (202) 416-8540.

Performance Schedule

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Robert Battle, Artistic Director
Masazumi Chaya, Associate Artistic Director

(D.C.) D.C. Premiere of a New Work from Ailey's 2018 2019 Season

(NP) A New Production of the Work

(AC) 60th Anniversary Classics Program

Tuesday, February 5, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
Lazarus by Rennie Harris (D.C.)

Revelations by Alvin Ailey

Wednesday, February 6, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Kairos by Wayne McGregor (D.C.)

The Call by Ronald K. Brown (D.C.)

Juba by Robert Battle (NP)

Revelations by Alvin Ailey

Thursday, February 7, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Timeless Ailey (including Revelations)(AC)

Friday, February 8, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Lazarus by Rennie Harris (D.C.)

Revelations by Alvin Ailey

Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.
Timeless Ailey (including Revelations)(AC)

Saturday, February 9, 2019 at 7:30 p.m.
Lazarus by Rennie Harris (D.C.)

Revelations by Alvin Ailey

Sunday, February 10, 2019 at 1:30 p.m.
Kairos by Wayne McGregor (D.C.)

The Call by Ronald K. Brown (D.C.)

Juba by Robert Battle (NP)

Revelations by Alvin Ailey