Alvin Ailey, American Dance in Theater.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was founded in 1958 by Mr. Ailey. Mr. Ailey had a vision of creating a company dedicated to the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance heritage and the uniqueness of black cultural expression. In 1960, he choreographed Revelations, the classic masterpiece of American modern dance based on the religious heritage of his youth. Throughout his lifetime, Mr. Ailey created some 79 ballets, many of which have appeared in the repertoire of major dance companies, including American Ballet Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Paris Opera Ballet and La Ballet. Mr. Ailey died on December 1, 1989. Anna Kisselgoff of The New York Times wrote of Mr. Ailey, "You didn't need to have known Ailey personally to have been touched by his humanity, enthusiasm and exuberance and his courageous stand for multiracial brotherhood." Today, the dance company continues to carry his vision through numerous astonishing performances all over the world and it is seen as the most acclaimed ambassador of American culture, promoting the uniqueness of black cultural expression and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance heritage.

English: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre perfor...

Dancer Clifton Brown in a promotional poster for A...

Ailey Series - Profile

2

Serving Nia

2001

Playrights

Choreography by Ronald K. Brown

Assistants to the choreographer: Diedre N Dawkins, Telly Fovler

Music by Roy Brooks, Brandford Marsalis, M'Bemba Bangoura, Dizzy Gillespie

Costumes by Omatayo Wunmi Olaiya

Lightening Designed by Brenda Dolan

Cast

Cheryl Rowley-Gaskins, Dwana Adiaha Smallwood, Bahyah Sayyed-Gaines,

Wendy White Sasser, Hope Boykin, Linda Celeste Sims,

Anthony Burrell, Guillermo Asca, Jeffrey Gerodias

Serving Nia is a piece created by an extraordinary choreographer (Ronald K. Brown), with a vibrant and unique African expression. It tales the story of Nia ( a woman who trains servants) and the struggle of the servants to finding a purpose in life. Nia reviles...