Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

ENSEMBLE ARTS PHILLY PRESENTS
THE RETURN OF WORLD-RENOWNED AND
UNMATCHED MODERN DANCE COMPANY,
ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER,
 FEBRUARY 28 – MARCH 2, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 10, 2024) – Ensemble Arts Philly presents Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as the company returns to Philadelphia at the Academy of Music on Friday, February 28, through Sunday, March 2, 2025. Repertory to be announced at a later date.

Beloved by generations of audiences and revered by critics around the world, this legendary dance company lifts audiences to their feet with performances of classics by their founder, Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient Alvin Ailey, along with some of the most exciting contemporary choreographers of the 20th and 21st centuries. Their mixed repertoire highlights the breadth and depth of its founders’ artistic vision, including his signature work Revelations, bringing a unique mix of contemporary and classic movement to the stage. In this season celebrating lineage and legacy, Ailey’s extraordinary dancers will perform the beloved masterpiece Revelations and new works by choreographers for whom Mr. Ailey paved the way, reminding us that dance is both a reflection of our past and a guide to our future.

“Ensemble Arts Philly is proud to continue our annual presentation of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater,” said Frances Egler, Vice President of Theatrical Programming and Presentations. “With each graceful movement, Alvin Ailey dancers tell a story. Whether through their renowned work Revelations or their contemporary pieces, the company continues to move generations of audiences with their breathtaking creativity, relevance, and talent.”

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recognized by US Congressional resolution as a “vital American Cultural Ambassador to the World,” grew from a now-fabled March 1958 performance in New York that changed forever the perception of American dance. Forged during a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, the Company was established to uplift the African American experience while transcending boundaries of race, faith, and nationality with its universal humanity.

Before his untimely death in 1989, Mr. Ailey named Judith Jamison as his successor, and for 21 years she brought the Company to unprecedented success. Jamison passed away in November of 2024; a Philadelphia native, true icon, and trailblazer, Jamison carried the legacy of Alvin Ailey with grace and vision, inspiring countless dancers and audiences worldwide. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has performed for an estimated 25 million people in 71 countries on six continents, promoting the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance tradition. In addition to being the principal dance company of New York City Center, where its performances have become a year-end tradition, the Company performs annually at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC; the Auditorium Theatre in Chicago; The Fox Theatre in Atlanta; Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, CA; and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark (where it is the Principal Resident Affiliate); and appears frequently in other major theaters throughout the world during extensive tours.

Ailey also includes Ailey II (1974), a second performing company of emerging young dancers and innovative choreographers; The Ailey School (1969), one of the most extensive dance training programs in the world; Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs (1992), which brings dance into the classrooms, communities, and lives of people of all ages; and Ailey Extension (2005), a program offering dance and fitness classes to the general public, which began with the opening of Ailey’s permanent home, The Joan Weill Center for Dance—the largest building dedicated to dance in New York City. Ailey is partnering with the Whitney Museum of American Art to present Edges of Ailey (September 25, 2024–February 9, 2025), the first large-scale exhibition to celebrate the life, creativity, influence, and enduring legacy of Alvin Ailey.

Other featured upcoming performances include A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical (December 10 – 22, 2024, Forrest Theatre); Samara Joy: A Joyful Holiday Featuring the McLendon Family (December 23, 2024, Marian Anderson Hall); Vitamin String Quartet: The Music of Taylor Swift, Bridgerton, and Beyond (February 12, 2025, Miller Theater); and & Juliet (March 25 – April 6, 2025, Academy of Music).

Tickets
Tickets can be purchased by calling 215-893-1999 or online at  www.ensembleartsphilly.org. In-person ticket sales can be conducted daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. at the Academy of Music Box Office, located at 240 S. Broad Street. See  www.ensembleartsphilly.org for more information.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
Academy of Music
Friday, February 28, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, March 1, 2025, at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. 

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