Bringing Brown Faces to Ballet

Written by Princess Miller

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater ushers in a new perspective to a predominately white dance style, ballet. Seeing a show by the dance company forces many to think of ballet in a broader sense, instead of only associating it with white women and/or men. Seeing the various skin tones of black and brown on stage is like seeing a new type of magic being performed right before your eyes. 

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater preformed their first show on March 30th, 1958 in New York City, called the Blue Suites. The dance was composed of Alvin Ailey, himself, and a group of black modern dancers. Since this time the company has recently celebrated their 60th anniversary. The dance company has come a long way from doing “station wagon tours”. 

Today, experiencing at least one show by the Alvin Ailey dance troupe will create everlasting memories for aspiring dancers and many others for a lifetime. The dance company being at the forefront for racial changes in ballet, also brings to light social issues in the black community making them stand out from other dance companies. This is particularly showcased in their performance, Untitled America, where dancers express their displeasure of black lives in the American prison system. The Alvin Ailey Dance Theater inspires young black boys and girls who look upon the stage and see people who look like them and proving to them they as well have the capability to be on the stage as well. This is especially important today, as representation matters in how we see ourselves. 

Credit: The Night Creature Photo by Paul Kolnik