Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Returns to The Music Center for Exclusive Southern California Residency
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will return to The Music Center’s Dorothy Chandler Pavilion for an exclusive Southern California residency from April 2–6, 2025. As part of the 22nd season of Glorya Kaufman Presents Dance at The Music Center, this seven-performance engagement celebrates the life and legacy of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison, who passed away in 2024. Led by Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing, the company will showcase Los Angeles premieres, new productions, and Ailey classics, culminating in performances of Revelations.
A Celebration of Legacy and Innovation
The residency will feature two distinct programs:
Program A (April 2, 4, and 6 evenings; April 5 matinee)
| Title | Year | Choreography | Additional Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacred Songs | 2024 (L.A. Premiere) | Matthew Rushing | Assistant: Alexandria Johnson • Creative Associate and Music: Du’Bois A’Keen • Costumes: Danté Baylor • Lighting: Andre A. Vazquez • Scenic Design: Matthew Rushing and Joseph Anthony Gaito |
| Many Angels | 2024 (L.A. Premiere) | Lar Lubovitch | Assistant: Katarzyna Skarpetowska • Music: Gustav Mahler • Costumes: Harriet Jung and Reid Bartelme • Lighting: Clifton Taylor • Scenic Design: Lar Lubovitch |
| Treading | 1979 (New Production 2024) | Elisa Monte | Rehearsal Associate: Clymene Aldinger • Music: Steve Reich • Costumes: Marisol • Original Lighting: Tina Charney • Lighting Design: Clifton Taylor |
| Revelations | 1960 | Alvin Ailey | Music: Traditional Spirituals • Décor and Costumes: Ves Harper • Redesigned Costumes for Rocka My Soul: Barbara Forbes • Lighting: Nicola Cernovitch |
Program B (April 3 and 5 evenings; April 6 matinee)
| Title | Year | Choreography | Additional Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grace | 1999 (New Production 2024) | Ronald K. Brown | Rehearsal Associate: Arcell Cabuag • Music: Various Artists •Costumes: Omatayo Wunmi Olaiya • Lighting: Tsubasa Kamei |
| Ailey Excerpts | Various | Alvin Ailey | See breakdown below |
| Cry: A Tribute to Judith Jamison | 1971 (Excerpt) | Alvin Ailey | Music: Chuck Griffin • Costume: A. Christina Giannini • Lighting: Chenault Spence |
| Revelations | 1960 | Alvin Ailey | Music: Traditional Spirituals • Décor and Costumes: Ves Harper • Redesigned Costumes for Rocka My Soul: Barbara Forbes • Lighting: Nicola Cernovitch |
Ailey Excerpts Breakdown:
| Excerpt | Year | Music | Costumes & Lighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pas De Duke | 1976 | Duke Ellington | Costumes: Rouben Ter-Arutunian • Lighting: Chenault Spence |
| Masekela Langage | 1969 | Hugh Masekela | Scenic Design: William Hammond • Costumes: A. Christina Giannini • Lighting: Chenault Spence |
| Opus McShann | 1988 | Jay McShann & Walter Brown | Performed by Jay McShann • Sets & Costumes: Randy Barcelo • Lighting: Timothy Hunter |
| Love Songs | 1972 | A Song for You (Leon Russell) sung by Donny Hathaway | Costume: Ursula Reed • Lighting: Shirley Prendergast |
| For ‘Bird’ – With Love | 1984 | Bird Lives by Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson | Set & Costume Design: Randy Barcelo • Lighting: Timothy Hunter |
Every performance will conclude with Revelations, Alvin Ailey’s soul-stirring masterpiece that has captivated audiences worldwide.
A Lasting Commitment to Los Angeles
This residency marks the second year of a four-year exclusive engagement between Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and The Music Center. The collaboration, first announced in May 2023, is the first long-term residency of its kind in The Music Center’s history. The engagement not only brings world-class performances but also includes community outreach initiatives.
Educational and Community Engagement
As part of the residency, the company will host a student matinee performance on April 4, 2025, for over 3,000 middle and high school students. Additionally, the Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs will conduct a weeklong workshop titled Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach in select Los Angeles Unified School District middle schools.
For older adults, The Music Center has partnered with EngAGE, Inc. to bring an AileyDance for Active Aging workshop to The Piedmont Senior Apartments in North Hollywood.
Quotes from Key Figures
“The company’s unbridled spirit and extraordinary technique bring joy and solace, particularly as our community recovers from recent hardships,” said Rachel S. Moore, President and CEO of The Music Center. “With new productions, Ailey classics, and a tribute to Judith Jamison, this residency will be an inspiring experience.”
Matthew Rushing reflected on his personal connection to Los Angeles: “This season celebrates the lineage and legacy of Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison. Returning to my hometown with Sacred Songs and other works is deeply meaningful as we continue to write Ailey’s story with our audiences.”
Ticket Information
Tickets for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performances are available now at musiccenter.org/ailey or by calling (213) 972-0711.
Performance Schedule
| Date | Time | Program |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, April 2, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Program A |
| Thursday, April 3, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Program B |
| Friday, April 4, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Program A |
| Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 2:00 PM | Program A |
| Saturday, April 5, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Program B |
| Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 2:00 PM | Program B |
| Sunday, April 6, 2025 | 7:30 PM | Program A |
