Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is at the New York City Center stage from December 4, 2019 to January 5, 2020. The season features world premieres by Donald Byrd and Ailey dancer and newly appointed Resident Choreographer Jamar Roberts, as well as over two dozen diverse works by some of today’s most prolific choreographers, including:

• Greenwood (world premiere), an ensemble work by 2019 Doris Duke Artist Award recipient Donald Byrd that uses the 1921 Tulsa riots as a source of inspiration.
• Ode (world premiere), the first in a series of three works by Ailey’s resident choreographer Jamar Roberts, offers a meditation on the beauty and fragility of life in a time of growing gun violence.
• Darrell Grand Moultrie’s Ounce of Faith, an exuberant tribute to a teacher’s lasting influence on a young person.
• A new production of Judith Jamison’s first choreographic effort, Divining, which marries African polyrhythms and complex movement.
• Lar Lubovitch’s Fandango, a sensually athletic duet set to Maurice Ravel’s “Bolero” that explores the infinite possibilities of partnering.
• Aszure Barton’s BUSK, an episodic look at the nature of performance and the vulnerabilities that artists face in revealing themselves onstage.
• 2016 New York Dance and Performance “Bessie” Award recipient Camille A. Brown’s lyrical City of Rain (company premiere), a quietly intense work honoring the struggle and grace of a deceased friend.

Special performances throughout the season include Celebrating The Ailey School at 50 featuring the world premiere of Ode, and students from The Ailey School alongside the Ailey dancers in Alvin Ailey’s Memoria and Revelations on December 10.  The festivities continue December 22 with the Celebrating Chaya program, a tribute to Masazumi Chaya who is retiring as Associate Artistic Director after 28 seasons. Other exciting programs include All Ailey, Three Visionaries, All New, Ailey Classics, and holiday performances on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.