Passion and Performance: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

A celebration of dance, culture, and community

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has been astounding audiences since the late 50’s with dances that go beyond a simple routine, and rather feel like a work of passion in every movement.  As of late, Ailey has done it again with its newest show lineup, combining modern dance with ballet, jazz, and blues to create a show that sticks out among the rest. One of the more recent additions to the show is a delightful piece titled Embrace, choreographed by Fredrick Earl Mosley. Mosley is no rookie to the professional dance scene and, over the past 20 years, has had a hand in choreographing every program in the organization. “I think Ailey is really a phenomenon because they have the ability to reach all demographics,” Mosley says. “The inclusion is really what pulled me in.”

Photo Credits

Andrew Eccles

Even though the production has been around for decades, the Ailey team always finds a way to put a new and inviting twist on every show, giving audience members something different to look forward to every time. From the second the lights dim, and the music starts, you are immersed in the bold yet beautiful world that each scene creates. As the music swells, the audience feels every spin, every leap, and every stride. With students coming from all over the world, The Ailey School makes each dance diverse, which gives the production a phenomenal ability to connect everyone in the theatre.

Photo credits

Andrew Eccles

The blend of the costuming, casting, and the movements themselves comes together to create a spectacle unlike any dance performance around. Dancers give their all on stage in a perfect blend of passion and execution. As Mosley says, he never worries about whether a piece will be too much. “I’ve learned over the years to listen to the piece and what it’s telling me. What is the movement saying? What are the dancers saying? The two work together, and in the process of giving each what it needs, the dance is naturally guided in the right direction.”

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When it comes to Embrace, Mosely insists that “it’s theater, not dance. It’s expression, not just movement. It’s musicality, not just technique.” The audience feels every moment of this, as Embrace presents itself as more than a story, but rather a tapestry of different ideas woven to reflect the overall theme of love, and how it’s shown to ourselves and others.

Upon watching the performance, you can’t help but smile, nod your head, and tap your feet. This feeling of hope and pride to be who we are is exactly what Mosely and every dancer in the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre strives to convey. “The way the dancers use the set creates a dynamic with a certain yearning and a certain pull that engages the audience. It will leave you in awe when you watch it,” Mosley raves. This is no exaggeration, as every single Ailey production leaves you on the edge of your seat wanting more.

Their most renowned dance and grand finale, Revelations, is always a showstopper. This piece, along with every piece in the production, forces you to slow down and appreciate the talent and passion the dancers hold. Whether this is your first time or your fifth time seeing an Ailey production, The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater makes sure you arrive eager, stay captivated, and leave feeling inspired.