Nov 30-Dec 31 at New York City Center
Now more than ever, we need dance to express what words cannot.
As Mr. Ailey once declared, “I want to hold up a mirror to my audience that says ‘This is the way people can be; this is how open people can be.’” Now more than ever, we need the power of dance to bring us all together, connected by our common humanity. It’s why we say: you don’t just see an Ailey performance, you feel it.
This season, engage your emotions with our wide-ranging repertory, including 3 world premieres:
- Veteran Company member Hope Boykin has been inspired by the sermons and speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to create r-Evolution, Dream., a large ensemble work that melds creative storytelling, new music composed by Ali Jackson (Jazz at Lincoln Center), and historic and original writings narrated by Tony Award winner Leslie Odom, Jr. (Hamilton).
- Untitled America, a haunting 3-part work that MacArthur “genius grant” winner Kyle Abraham developed and completed over the last two years, shines a light on the impact of the prison system on African-American families.
- Deep is Mauro Bigonzetti’s elegant and soulful melding of European, American, and African cultures set to songs by Ibeyi, twin sisters who are rising global music stars.
We’re also eager for you to see the Company premiere of Walking Mad, Johan Inger’s daring contemporary take on Ravel’s Bolero. The work brings waves of emotion – first laughter, then tears – and employs a long, movable wall that can also be viewed as a symbol of the barriers people construct in their relationships.
And we’ve heeded your calls to bring back Mr. Ailey’s powerful Masekela Langage, Billy Wilson’s joyful The Winter in Lisbon, and two works highlighting the athletic prowess of Ailey’s women and men: Ulysses Dove’s stunning Vespers and my own ballet, The Hunt.
These additions to our repertory join many audience favorites from recent seasons – and, of course Mr. Ailey’s Revelations, an enduring masterpiece that transcends color and creed to unite us in hope.
We look forward to seeing you this December at New York City Center.
– Robert Battle, Artistic Director
Art for Social Action 