The Legacy of Revelations
Sat, Oct 19, 2024
4–5 pm
Jack Mitchell, Alvin Ailey, Myrna White, James Truitte, Ella Thompson, Minnie Marshall, and Don Martin in “Revelations", 1961. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture and Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. ©️ Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and Smithsonian Institution
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Floor 3, Theater
Join us to experience firsthand the origin stories of performing and sharing Revelations, a masterpiece of American dance. Dancers and educators George Faison and Renee Robinson delve into why Alvin Ailey's signature work of genius has remained a favorite across generations and a work of global impact. The conversation is moderated by Amos Machanic.
George W. Faison is an American dancer, choreographer, teacher, and theater producer, and winner of a 1975 Tony Award, a Drama Desk Award, and a 1991 nominee for the Emmy Award for choreography. He was a featured dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, founder of the George Faison Universal Dance Experience, and co-founder/producing artistic director of the Faison Firehouse Theater.
Renee Robinson began her training in classical ballet at the Jones-Haywood School of Ballet. She was the recipient of two Ford Foundation scholarships to the School of American Ballet and was awarded full scholarships to the Dance Theatre of Harlem School and The Ailey School, where she danced as a member of Ailey II. Robinson was a member of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 1981 to 2012 during which time she performed principal roles in several of Mr. Ailey’s ballets including Revelations, Cry, Memoria, Blues Suite, and others. She danced in works choreographed by renowned choreographers such as Robert Battle, Judith Jamison, Lar Lubovitch, Ulysses Dove, Talley Beatty, Garth Fagan, Kyle Abraham, Ronald K. Brown, Elisa Monte, and Matthew Rushing. She is a Master Teaching Artist with Ailey Arts in Education and is a faculty member at Yale University teaching under the Dance Studies Curriculum.
Amos Machanic, Jr. is currently a Teaching Artist with Ailey Arts in Education & Community Programs. Machanic studied dance at the New World School of the Arts and continued his training at The Ailey School where he was a fellowship recipient. Machanic was a member of Ailey II and joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1996. During his years with the company, Machanic had the pleasure of traveling across the globe. In 2010, he performed at the White House tribute to Judith Jamison and now enjoys being a freelance artist and teacher.