Alvin Ailey – Dancer and choreographer, started to nurture his interest in dancing in Los Angeles, where he became a member of Lester Horton’s company in the 1950’s. When his mentor died in 1953, Ailey was chosen to take over as director and choreographer. After training in New York City with Martha Graham and others, he founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958, which was a hugely popular, multi-racial modern dance ensemble. This theatre established an extended dance community that provides performances and a community for all people. This plays a crucial role in the performing arts community by using the beauty and humanity of the african American heritage and other cultures to unite people of all ages, races, and backgrounds. The company popularized modern dance around the world thanks to tours sponsored by the U.S. State Department. His most famous dance, Revelations, is based on Ailey’s own experience of growing up African American in the rural South and is a celebratory study of religious spirit.
Alvin Ailey
Oct 1st, 2009 by Lydia Tobia
One Response to “Alvin Ailey”
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The Revelations epitomizes the use of facial expressions to get the audience involved. When they smiled, we smiled, likewise, when they suffered, so did we. This affect that they had on us through the use of facial expressions allowed us to relate to the dances and the dancers more.