The 2011-2012 season of Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre has been announced by Robert Battle, the company’s new artistic director. Battle was named artistic director in 2010, taking over the reins from Judith Jamison who will become Artistic Director Emerita on July 1st.
At a press conference on Friday at the Theatre’s spanking new headquarters in Midtown, New York City, Battle announced dance programs for the new season.
Highlights include: the world premiere of a dance by renowned hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris, inspired by the stories of people living with or affected by HIV; the Company premiere of Paul Taylor’s classic Arden Court (1981), set under the supervision of Mr. Taylor, the first work by the American master to join the Ailey repertory; and the Company premiere of Minus 16 (1999) by the renowned American-Israeli choreographer Ohad Naharin, to list three.
Approximately 20 dances will be presented during the 2011/12 season, including repertory classics like Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece Revelations and Robert Battle’s tour de force The Hunt. The full season program will be announced at a later date.
The legendary Judith Jamison, who was named Artistic Director of the Company in 1989 at the request of Mr. Ailey, will become Artistic Director Emerita on July 1, 2011 as Mr. Battle assumes the role of Artistic Director.
After the break, a video of Mr. Battle’s “The Hunt”, videos from past Ailey performances and an interview.
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Preview of Robert Battle’s “The Hunt.”
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Alvin Ailey’s signature work, “Revelations.”
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Alvin Ailey’s “Cry,” created in 1971 as a birthday present for Ailey’s mother.
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Interview with Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison
