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1931-1941

1942-1948

1949-1950

1951-1952

1953

1954-1957

1958-1969

1970-1988

1989

Alvin Ailey Timeline

Ailey wasn't very interested in dance until 1949 when he met his school friend Carmen De Lavallade who introduced him to the Hollywood studio of Lester Hornton (who would end up being one of Aileys inspirations). Hortan's dance school taught Ailey classical ballet, jazz and native american dance styles. Ailey quickly fell in love with dance but was conflicted whether to pursue his love for dance or his academic subjects.

In 1953 Ailey began a full time study at Hortan's dance school, making his debut the same year performing Revue Le Bal Caribe. Ailey also performed in a few Hollywood films around this time and was also studying other art forms, including painting, acting, music, set design, and costuming, as well as ballet and other forms of modern and ethnic dance. When Hornton dies late 1953 Ailey took over as artistic director, he began choreographing for the company and even made a full show for them at the age of 22.

Ailey was born January 5th 1931 to his 17 year old mother (Lula Elizabeth Ailey) in Roger Texas. Ailey grew up during the great depression therefore he had to move a lot and his mum never had a stable job. Early experiences of violence and lynchings instilled in him a fierce sense of black pride.

In 1958 Ailey created his own dance company Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's choreography was a vibrant and dynamic mix with ballet, modern, jazz and african styles. Ailey tried to create a complete theatrical experience using costumes, make-up and lighting. In 1960 Ailey created Revelations which was inspired by his blood memories. The U.S State department recognised him for his work and sponsored the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater first overseas tour. This made Ailey skeptical because he felt as if they were using him as propaganda trying to show a false tolerance for black americans.

Alvin Ailey passed away on December the 1st

1989 of AIDS. This was a massivemoment for the dance community. The New York Times said “you didn’t need to have known [him] personally to have been touched by his humanity, enthusiasm, and exuberance and his courageous stand for multi-racial brotherhood. Judith Jameson was appointed new artistic director.

Ailey moved to San Francisco where he met Marguerite Johnson, who later changed her name to Maya Angelou whilst he was studying in San Francisco. Ailey earned a living through waiting tables and by dancing at the New Orleans Champagne Supper Club. After a while Ailey got bored of this and wanted to focus on his dance so he returned to study dance with Horton in southern California.

Alvin and his school friend Carmen De Lavallade got invited to New York to dance in the Broadway show House of Flowers. He was also in Sing, Man, Sing (1956) and Jamaica (1957). Alvin Ailey wasn't a fan of the modern dance scene in new york in the fifties he preferred modern dance contemporaries such as Martha Graham, Doris Humphrey, and José Limón. not being able to find a technique similar to Horton's. Not finding a mentor, he began creating works of his own.

In 1970 Ailey was given the role to create a performance called "The River" for American Ballet Theater. He based it on the music created by composer Duke Ellington. He used this opportunity to work with some of the best ballet dancers including the great dramatic ballerina Sallie Wilson. However the American Ballet theater insisted that the main role be played by the only black dancer in the company. Cry which Ailey made in 1971 was one Aileys greatest pieces of work, it was dedicated to his mother and all black women everywhere. In 1977 Ailey was awarded the Spingarn Medal from the NAACP ans then in he received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1988.

Aileys mum moved to Los Angeles where she worked to support the war. However Ailey stayed in Texas until he finished school when hr then met his mum LA at age 11. Ailey's first school in LA was mainly full of white people therefore he felt scared and out of place due to his fear of whites, subsequent of this the Aileys moved to a predominantly black neighborhood and at his new schools Ailey would sing spirituals in the glee club, write poetry, and demonstrate a talent for languages. Ailey would also attend shows at the Orpheum theatre and at the Lincoln theatre.

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