humanities

1. Alvin Ailey American
Dance Theater: New
York City Center
Critiqued by John Bordes

2. Alvin Ailey Jr.
• Born January 5, 1931 in Rogers , Texas
• At age of 12 mother moved family to
Los Angeles
• Studied modern dance in 1949 under
Lester Holt
• Debut on Broadway in 1954 musical
House of Flowers
• Performed on Broadway in several
including as lead dancer alongside
Lena Horne in Jamaica

3. Alvin Ailey Jr.
• 1958 founded his own dance
company
• Debuted BLUE SUIT, a piece
acknowledging his southern roots
• 1960s Became widely recognized as
he traveled worldwide, The US State
Department sponsored his road tour
• Mid 1960s stop dancing,
choreographed
• Formed the Alvin Ailey Dance Center ,
now called the Ailey School.
• Photo by Normand Maxon

4. New York City
Center
• Alvin Ailey from November 29th
through December 31st, 2017
• Content of plays varies on dates
• December 1st , program consisted of
performance called EXODUS, VICTORIA,
and the world known REVELATIONS

5. Exodus
• Choreographed by Rennie Harris
• Through hip-hop dance and house
dance style dance (late 1980s through
1990s NY and NJ ) acknowledges
through struggle with growth to change
from naïve.
• Music includes gospel and house music

6. Victoria
Gustavo Ramirez choreographer shows
that little gestures have a great impact on
society
Step towards enlightenment from
conformity
Paired with a rewrite of Beethoven’s
Seventh Symphony

7. REVELATION
Premiered in 1960
Viewed by over 23 million people worldwide
Divided into three sections
Pilgrim of Sorrow
Portray people who hope for salvation
Take Me to the Water
Depicts Ailey’s Baptism to become full member of the congregation
Move Members Move
Church gathering withstanding heat as they hope for salvation

8. Alvin Ailey
The memories that inspired Revelations are as
“blood memories” because they were so strong
they were as the blood that ran through my veins.

9. INTERPRETATION
• The emotional roller coaster throughout the series was masterful.
• Understanding that Alvin Ailey first pursued the modern dance to
reflect the lack of people telling his African American story which also
is the human story of reaching enlightenment
• The addition of the intricate props , For instance an umbrella in
Revelations which could represent covering/covenant combined with
the musical journey brings relates to your sense of hopefulness in life.

10. JUDGEMENT
• I feel the exceptional dancers and the minds of Judith Jamison
(retired coordinator) , Robert Battle (present coordinator) and the
late Alvin Ailey who died in 1989 thoroughly and passionately convey
the life desires for most of humanity.
• Ailey’s intentions were exceeded as his performances are sought
worldwide by millions of viewers
• His exceptional modern art dancers , choreography and music have
shown through commitment and expansion including his repertoire
to touch millions worldwide and place legacy upon American culture.

11. WORKS CITED
• The New York City Center
• AlvinAiley.org