The Legacy of Ailey II: Cultivating the Dance Field
Fri, Nov 22, 2024
5–6 pm
Ailey II's C. Moulterie, A. Jordan, K. Moore. Photo by Nir Arieli.
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Floor 3, Theater
This panel spotlights the history and impact of Ailey II and reflects on Alvin Ailey’s vision for nurturing talent and using dance to foster leadership and impact beyond performance. Founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Ailey II embodies Ailey’s pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and programs for all people. It has become one of the most popular modern dance companies today, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs.
The conversation is moderated by Ailey II Artistic Director Emerita Sylvia Waters and features panelists Ruthlyn Salomons and Ephraim Sykes who danced with Ailey II.
Sylvia Waters is Ailey II Artistic Director Emerita. In 1974, she was selected by Alvin Ailey to be Artistic Director of Ailey II and went on to lead the company for thirty-eight years. Waters attended The Juilliard School in New York. After receiving her BS from Juilliard, she moved to Paris, where she appeared regularly on television. She toured in the European company of Black Nativity and worked with Michel Descombey, then Director of the Paris Opera Ballet, as well as Milko Šparembleck. In 1968, Waters joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and toured with the Company until assuming leadership of Ailey II.
Ruthlyn Salomons has been the Resident Dance Supervisor for the Broadway company of The Lion King since 2000. She is a former concert dance artist who had the great fortune of working with both Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Donald Byrd/The Group, and the White Oak Dance Project.
Ephraim Sykes was nominated for a Tony, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League Award. He won the Clarence Derwent and Chita Rivera Award for his performance as David Ruffin in Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of the Temptations. Other Broadway credits include Hamilton, Motown The Musical, Newsies, Memphis and The Little Mermaid. Off-Broadway, Sykes co-starred in Black No More (Audelco Award winner) and Rent (New World Stages). On screen, Sykes was seen in Kathryn Bigelow’s Detroit as well as the HBO series Vinyl, Luke Cage (Marvel/Netflix), Crisis in Six Scenes (Amazon), Russian Doll (Netflix), and in the NBC live broadcast of Hairspray Live! opposite Ariana Grande.