The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater has entered a new era, taking dance in exciting new directions and pushing the boundaries of what's possible in the human body and spirit. This season, you'll experience the splendor of Ailey's timeless masterpieces alongside bold new works that carry his legacy into the future. Under the direction of new Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack and Associate Artistic Director Matthew Rushing, BAM's fourth consecutive season promises to be a celebration of the joy, beauty, and transformative power of dance.
The season's program features treasures from the company's repertoire, including a new production of Judith Jamison's "Hymn," a stunning Emmy Award-winning tribute to Mr. Alvin Ailey from 1993; Mehdi Walerski's "Blink of an Eye"; and "Alvin Ailey Revelations," a defining anthem of resilience and joy that has touched and inspired fans for decades.
This season, Ailee's return to BAM, embodies everything that makes her performances magical, inspiring both long-time fans and those seeing her for the first time.
Blink of an Eye by Mehdi Walerski is a fast-paced, high-energy contemporary dance work driven by precision and momentum. The choreography captures fleeting moments, shifting instantly between control and release.
Blink of an Eye by Mehdi Walerski explores speed, awareness, and the tension between instinct and structure. Sharp transitions and continuous motion create a sense of urgency, as if time is constantly slipping forward. The work highlights Walerski’s athletic and musical style, where split-second choices shape the entire experience.
Revelations by Alvin Ailey is a powerful modern dance masterpiece inspired by African American spirituals and lived experience. The work expresses struggle, faith, and joy through deeply emotional and communal movement.
Revelations by Alvin Ailey is an iconic dance work that traces a journey from sorrow to hope using music rooted in African American spirituals. Through a blend of modern dance, ballet, and jazz influences, the choreography reflects resilience, spirituality, and collective memory. It remains a timeless celebration of the human spirit and one of the most influential works in modern dance history.
Hymn is a powerful and uplifting dance work by choreographer Alonzo King, set to the spiritual music of Jason Moran. The ballet celebrates the dignity, resilience, and spiritual strength of the African American experience. Through fluid movement and expressive physicality, Hymn becomes a tribute to humanity, unity, and inner light.
Hymn is a deeply spiritual and emotionally resonant work created by acclaimed choreographer Alonzo King for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Set to the rich and soulful compositions of jazz pianist and composer Jason Moran, the ballet draws inspiration from African American spiritual traditions and contemporary musical expression.
Through expansive, flowing movement and moments of quiet intensity, Hymn reflects themes of resilience, remembrance, and transcendence. The dancers’ bodies seem to breathe with the music, creating a sense of collective ritual and personal reflection. Rather than telling a literal story, the work invites audiences into a shared emotional space — one shaped by struggle, faith, and enduring hope.
Hymn stands as a moving testament to the power of dance as a universal language, honoring cultural heritage while speaking directly to the present moment.