Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Ushers In a New Chapter at 2025–26 Opening Night Gala

Key Points

• Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater launched its 2025–26 season with a star-studded Opening Night Gala on December 3.

• Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack led her first gala since assuming the role, honoring the legacy of Judith Jamison and Alvin Ailey.

• Signature works including Revelations, Grace, and Blink of An Eye highlighted the evening’s program.

• Ciara appeared as Honored Guest, while Colman Domingo served as Honorary Chair.

• The night coincided with Alvin Ailey’s induction into the inaugural Dance Hall of Fame.

A New Era Begins for an Iconic American Institution

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater opened its 2025–26 season with a jubilant gala on December 3, marking the beginning of a transformative chapter for the world-renowned company. Led by newly appointed Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, the event celebrated both the company’s storied past and its ambitious future.

Held before a packed audience, the gala served as Graf Mack’s formal introduction in her new role—one she describes as the culmination of a lifelong connection to Ailey’s legacy.

Alicia Graf Mack Honors Judith Jamison and Alvin Ailey

Graf Mack paid tribute to two towering figures who shaped her artistic journey: Alvin Ailey himself and his longtime muse and successor, Judith Jamison.

“I have been staring at images of Judith Jamison since I was a child. She has always been my North Star,” she told attendees. Jamison, who passed away in November 2024, remains a guiding inspiration for Graf Mack as she takes on the creative leadership of the company.

In her remarks, Graf Mack emphasized the cultural and emotional weight of the moment:
“Tonight marks more than an opening night. It is a continuation of a dream that began 67 years ago in the heart and mind of one visionary man: Alvin Ailey.”

She reaffirmed her commitment to highlighting authentic stories and identities through movement—an essential pillar of Ailey’s artistic philosophy.

A Night of Timeless Works and Powerful Tributes

The gala featured a sweeping program of beloved Ailey repertoire and contemporary selections, including:

• Blink of An Eye

• A Case of You

• Grace

• Revelations — the company’s most celebrated masterpiece

The finale brought a show-stopping moment as singer Ciara, the evening’s Honored Guest, introduced Revelations alongside a live choir that filled the room with soaring vocals. Actor Colman Domingo served as Honorary Chair.

The company also honored Daria L. Wallach, chair of the Ailey Board of Trustees, applauding her dedication to sustaining Ailey’s mission and expanding its impact.

Alvin Ailey Enshrined in Dance Hall of Fame

While New York celebrated opening night, Los Angeles simultaneously honored Alvin Ailey with an induction into the inaugural Dance Hall of Fame.

Ailey, who founded the company in 1958 and helped popularize modern dance globally, revolutionized visibility for African American performers. His seminal work Revelations remains one of the most performed dance pieces in the world.

Despite his passing in 1989 due to AIDS-related complications, Ailey’s influence endures. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Barack Obama, cementing his legacy as a cultural trailblazer.

What Happens Next?

With its 2025–26 season now underway, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater begins a bold artistic chapter under Alicia Graf Mack’s leadership. The company will continue touring, premiering new works, and revisiting classics that anchor its identity.

Audiences can expect a season that honors Ailey’s foundational vision while embracing the creative innovations shaping dance today.