Like the fiery creative storm that she is, the new Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater embarks on its next era, guided under her direction with the same commitment and burning passion as exhibited by Alvin Ailey’s pioneering legacy. Alicia Graf Mack was a star performer on the Ailey stage during a spectacular career between 2005 and 2014, when she was brought into the company and mentored by the incomparable Judith Jamison. In 2025, she returned to serve as AILEY’s fourth Artistic Director after distinguishing herself as the Dean and Director of the Dance Division of The Juilliard School from 2018-2025
So, get off your hesitation if there is any and be assured that you will be delighted. Having met Ms. Graf Mack and experienced her contribution to dance live, I promise you that the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater company will deliver their best.
The theater company offers audiences the opportunity to experience classic works from the Ailey repertory that have inspired and uplifted fans for decades—including the touchstone of inspiration, Revelations, a classic and the ultimate anthem to resilience and joy. Her directorship promises Ailey will continue to break ground with new works by contemporary choreographers that commit to propel dance in exhilarating new directions—pushing the bounds of what the human body can do; what the human spirit can achieve and what vision can create.
You have a choice of two programs A or B which will feature different pieces however both will present Revelations!
Program A
Friday, April 24 | 7:30PM
Saturday, April 25 | 7:30PM
Embrace (2025)
Choreographed by Fredrick Earl Mosley
Music by Stevie Wonder, Kate Bush, Ed Sheeran, Des'ree, and P!nk
This piece examines the ups and downs of human connections and dives into what it takes to love deeply, heal fully, and embrace the journey with open arms
Blink of an Eye (2025)
Choreographed by Medhi Walerski
Music by J.S. Bach
Probing the relationship between dance and music, Medhi Walerski uses the timeless beauty of J.S. Bach's violin sonatas and partita to explore the fragile boundary between presence and absence, change and stillness.
A Case of You (2004)
Choreographed by Judith Jamison
Music by Diana Krall and Joni Mitchell
A sensual duet, this stirring work is an excerpt from Jamison's 2005 Reminiscin'.
Revelations (1960)
Choreographed by Alvin Ailey
Performed to American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs, and holy blues, Ailey's Revelations is a cultural treasure. Beloved by generations, this piece explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul.
Program B
Saturday, April 25 | 1PM
Sunday, April 26 | 3PM
Jazz Island (2025)
Choreographed by Maija García
Music by Etienne Charles
Inspired by Geoffrey Holder’s “Black Gods, Green Islands,” Maija García brings a Caribbean folktale to life through ancestral rhythms and divine intervention in her first work for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Difference Between (2025)
Choreographed by Matthew Neenan
Music by Heather Christian
Making his choreographic debut with AILEY, this piece features Matthew Neenan's signature wild abandon and gestural playfulness.
Song of the Anchorite (2024)
Choreographed by Jamar Roberts
Music by Maurice Ravel
Experience a fresh take on Alvin Ailey's 1961 solo Hermit Songs by renowned AILEY choreographer Jamar Roberts. The result is powerful meditation on passion and devotion, set to jazz trumpeter Avishai Cohen's interpretation of Ravel Adagio.
Revelations (1960)
Choreographed by Alvin Ailey
Performed to American spirituals, song-sermons, gospel songs, and holy blues, Ailey's Revelations is a cultural treasure. Beloved by generations, this piece explores the places of deepest grief and holiest joy in the soul.
Visionary Kai EL´ Zabar has worked as CEO of arts organizations and as editor, writer and multimedia consultant accumulating a significant number of years in experience as an executive, journalist,publisher, public relations, media training, marketing, internal and external communications. Kai currently continues her life’s work as Editor-in-Chief Of Chicago News Weekly where she has resumed her column, “E NOTES.” She is ecstatic to be in the position to grace Chicago and the world with a publication that articulates the Black voice.