1. Alvin Ailey was a dancer and choreographer. He founded his own dance company at only 27 years old. Since then, the dancers from his company have performed for over 20 million people around the world. But the story of this man who helped shape modern dance started in a small Texas town. On this day in history-January 5-in 1931, Alvin was born.
2. Alvin was raised in Navasota, Texas, by his mother, Lula Ailey. Life was difficult. Alvin's mother struggled to provide for the two of them. He would later recall his experiences living in a segregated town. But his years in Texas were also filled with culture, music, and community. This would later inspire some of his most celebrated choreography.
3. In 1942, at the age of 12, he and his mother moved to Los Angeles, California. There, he did gymnastics, played football, and started to get very interested in dancing. He took tap dancing lessons from a neighbor. Eventually, he enrolled in classes at Lester Horton's dance school. Horton was a pioneer of modern dance on the West Coast. He was the first choreographer in the U.S. to have an integrated dance company. Ailey danced with the Lester Horton Dance Theater starting in 1949. When Horton died suddenly in 1953, Ailey took over as the dance company's director.
4. As director, Ailey shifted his focus from dancing to what would become his career- defining work-choreography. He presented two pieces at a festival in Massachusetts. Eventually, the Horton dance company disbanded. In 1954, Ailey moved to New York City, where he continued dancing and studied acting. Over the next decade, Ailey performed as a dancer in four Broadway shows.
5. On March 30, 1958, Ailey presented the first show of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater on 92nd Street in New York City. He was not even 30 years old when he formed his own dance company. Its shows would go on to bring Ailey global fame.
6. Ailey's company focused on the American modern dance heritage. Ailey's vision was to celebrate and express the beauty of the Black cultural experience. His debut show premiered in the opening year of the company. It was called Blues Suite, and it was inspired by his childhood in Texas. The performance was well received, and soon after, Ailey presented his most famous work of art, Revelations.
7. Revelations featured traditional music from Ailey's early years, including the blues, spirituals, and gospel songs. The work explored the sadness and joy of being Black in the United States. Ailey said the piece came from memories of his youth. Revelations premiered in 1960. It has been continuously performed around the world since then. It's the most-viewed modern dance performance across the globe. Critics recognized Revelations as a masterpiece immediately, and it brought the company international attention and praise.
8. In 1962, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was selected to go on a global tour. This was part of President John F. Kennedy's "Special International Program for Cultural Presentations." Ailey's company toured Southeast Asia and Australia. In the following years, the group performed in Senegal, for the Olympics opening ceremonies in Mexico City, at the White House for President Lyndon B. Johnson, and so much more.
9. Ailey went on to found a dance school in 1969. He invested in many programs that supported the arts in education. Over his career, Ailey choreographed almost 80 ballets until his untimely death in 1989. Ailey was a key figure in the development of modern dance. He was hugely important to American art in the 20th century.
Which of the following statements are true? Select two answers.
A Alvin Ailey's dance company relocated to Mexico after its 1962 global tour.
B Alvin Ailey competed with Lester Horton's dance school for the same students.
C Alvin Ailey's dance company performed shows all over the world.
D Alvin Ailey is known for his important contributions to the world of modern dance.
C Alvin Ailey's dance company performed shows all over the world.
D Alvin Ailey is known for his important contributions to the world of modern dance.
Alvin Ailey was a dancer and choreographer. He founded his own dance company at only 27 years old. Ailey's company toured Southeast Asia and Australia. Later, the group performed in Senegal. They performed for the Olympics opening ceremonies in Mexico City and at the White House. Since then, the dancers from his company have performed for over 20 million people around the world.
Alvin Ailey's dance company has attracted audiences.
A assorted
B young
C generous
D mellow