The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater first performed in 1958 at New York's 92nd Street Young Men's Hebrew Aassociation. The company included Ailey and 13 young African American dancers.
In the 1960s the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater toured the world with performances in Asia, Africa and Mexico. "Cry," a critically acclaimed Alvin Ailey piece choreographed for Judith Jamison, premiered in 1971. By 1978 the troupe had doubled in size and accrued domestic popularity.
Alvin Ailey continued to choreograph throughout the 1980s. He was lauded with honors and awards including the Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award in 1987 and the Kennedy Center Honor for lifetime contribution to American culture in 1988. Despite his solid work ethic and professional success, Ailey grew ill and suffered physical setbacks. He was diagnosed with AIDS in 1987 and died in 1989.
Judith Jamison first performed with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1965. At 6 feet tall she become Ailey's premier dancer and inspiration. Jamison left the company in 1980 but returned in 1989 to take over as artistic director.
Robert Battle, a revered choreographer and modern dancer, will take over as artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in July 2011. Battle has had experience working with the troupe and was an artist in residence at the Ailey School in Manhattan.