Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, New York City Center’s Principal Dance Company, returns to the theater’s mainstage December 2, 2026 through January 3, 2027, for its annual five-week holiday engagement. Led by Daria L. and Eric J. Wallach Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, the season will feature world premieres by contemporary choreographers Jamar Roberts, Yue Yin and William Forsythe, alongside works by Ronald K. Brown, Judith Jamison and Alvin Ailey.
“Over the past year, it’s been an astonishing honor for me to witness Alvin Ailey’s legacy in motion, manifesting his audacious vision for dance, community, and humanity,” stated Alicia Graf Mack. “I am so excited to raise the curtain on a new season revealing the breathtaking artistry of 32 world-class dancers breaking new ground in premieres by renowned choreographers – including a celebration of the power of love honoring legendary musical force Luther Vandross – as well as new productions of revered classics by Alvin Ailey and Judith Jamison. We boldly dance in the footsteps of the greats and carry their courageous spirit with us on a path of inspiration that transcends generations and continues to move and connect us all with the magic of Ailey.”
The season opens with an Opening Night Gala on Wednesday, December 2, featuring a world premiere of Jamar Roberts’ Power of Love, inspired by the music of Luther Vandross. The newly commissioned ballet is being created in collaboration with Primary Wave Music and the Luther Vandross Estate to celebrate what would have been the legendary R&B artist’s 75th birthday. Roberts’ choreography will be accompanied by music arranged by Marcus Miller and Ron Gillyard, with costumes by Andre Gerard Michel Jr. of Landeros New York.
Yue Yin’s A Matter of Time, her first work for Ailey, will pair her signature FoCo Technique, rooted in Chinese ethnic folk movement, with music by Javanese group Raja Kirik. The season will also introduce Ailey audiences to William Forsythe’s In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, a landmark work created for the Paris Opera Ballet in 1987 and set to Thom Willems’ driving score.
Returning works include Ronald K. Brown’s Grace, Judith Jamison’s Hymn and Alvin Ailey’s iconic Revelations. Jamison’s Hymn, a tribute to Ailey, has returned to the company’s repertory after nearly 15 years and features personal reflections from Jamison and company members, collected and narrated by actor and playwright Anna Deavere Smith, alongside a percussive score by Robert Ruggieri.
A new production of Alvin Ailey’s Pas de Duke will also be presented. The work, originally created as a star vehicle for Judith Jamison and Mikhail Baryshnikov, combines Ailey’s modern dance vocabulary with the jazz music of Duke Ellington.
Special programs throughout the engagement include All New, All Ailey and Ailey & Jamison Tribute. Family Matinee performances will take place each Saturday at 2 p.m., culminating with a performance of Revelations followed by a Q&A with company dancers.
Three new company members will join Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for the season: Michael Cherry, previously with Complexions Contemporary Ballet; Tyrone Reese, formerly dance captain on the First National Tour of MJ: The Musical; and Mahalaya Tintiangco-Cubales, a graduate of The Juilliard School.
Before arriving at New York City Center, the company will tour internationally in September and October, with performances in London, Zürich, Brussels, Paris and Madrid. The company will then embark on a North American tour spanning more than 20 cities from January through May 2027.
Tickets to Ailey’s New York City Center season start at $45 (fees included) and go on sale September 8at noon at the New York City Center box office, through Customer Care at 212-581-1212, or at ailey.org or nycitycenter.org.
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