AILEY II

Francesca Harper, Artistic Director

Sylvia Waters, Artistic Director Emerita

Company Members
Nicholas Begun, Spencer Everett, Jaryd Farcon,
Maya Finman-Palmer, Patrick Gamble, Meagan King,
Kali Marie Oliver, Tamia Strickland,
Christopher Taylor, Maggy van den Heuvel,
Travon M. Williams, Rachel Yoo

Lakey Evans-Peña, Rehearsal Director

Apprentices
Andrew Bryant, Alfred L. Jordan II, Kiri Moore,
Kayla Mei-Wan Thomas

Robert Battle, Artistic Advisor

Bennett Rink, Executive Director

Ailey II gratefully acknowledges
the generous support provided by
The Glorya Kaufman Dance Foundation.

The taking of photographs and the use of recording equipment of any kind during performances is strictly prohibited.

Programming and casting subject to change.

SAA MAGNI
(2019)

Choreography by Yannick Lebrun
Music by Oumou Sangaré*
Female Costume design by Grace Yeboah Ofori
Male Costume design by Jermaine Terry
Lighting design by Abby May

Kali Marie Oliver, Christopher Taylor

Yannick Lebrun (Cayenne, French Guiana) began training in his native country at the Adaclam School under the guidance of Jeanine Verin. After graduating high school in 2004, he moved to New York City to study at The Ailey School as a scholarship student. Lebrun has performed works by choreographers Troy Powell, Debbie Allen, Scott Rink, Thaddeus Davis, Nilas Martins, Dwight Rhoden, and Francesca Harper. He was named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” in 2011, and, in 2013, France-Amérique magazine highlighted him as one of the 50 most talented French in the United States. In November 2016 Lebrun was a guest performer with The Royal Ballet in Wayne McGregor’s Chroma. Lebrun was a member of Ailey II and joined the Company in 2008.

*  “Saa Magni” from the album Ko Sira, published by World Circuit Records.

The premiere of Saa Magni is made possible by an anonymous donor.

-Pause-

ENEMY IN THE FIGURE
(Excerpt)
(1989)

Choreography, stage, original lighting,
and costume design by William Forsythe

Staged with Thomas McManus
Music by Thom Willems
Lighting design recreated by Ethan Saiewitz
Lighting consultant: Francesca Harper

The Company

William Forsythe has been active in the field of choreography for over 50 years. His three decades of work with his ensembles Ballet Frankfurt and The Forsythe Company in Frankfurt, Germany, exerted significant influence upon generations of artists in a wide array of creative practices.

The creation of Enemy in the Figure is supported by Robert Press.

-INTERMISSION-

ALLELUIA
(2002)

Choreography by Robert Battle
Restaged by Elisa Clark
Music by Kathleen Battle*
Costume design by Mia McSwain
Lighting design by Burke Wilmore

Jaryd Farcon, Patrick Gamble, Meagan King,
Kali Marie Oliver, Maggy van den Heuvel,
Travon M. Williams, Rachel Yoo

*  Cantata No. 51, "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen," BWV 51 (BC A134): No. 4, [Chorale] Sei Lob Und Preis Mit Ehren. Allelujah.

By: Kathleen Battle, Wynton Marsalis, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Krista Bennion Feeney, Eriko Sato, John Feeney & Daire Fitzgerald.

-INTERMISSION-

FREEDOM SERIES
(2021)

Choreography by Francesca Harper
Music by Various Artists*
Costume design by Elias Gurrola
Lighting design by Abby May

The Company

*  “Doomed” by Moses Sumney, published by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing and Domino Publishing Company of America Inc

“(No One Knows Me) Like the Piano” by Sampha, published by Beggars Tunes

“Little Fly” by Esperanza Spalding, published by Kobalt Songs Music Publishing

“Roaming Rogue” by Jasmine Hearn and Slowdanger (Anna Thompson and Taylor Knight)

“Fury” by Slowdanger (Anna Thompson and Taylor Knight)

“Without” by Sampha, published by Beggars Tunes

"Welcome” by Jon Hopkins, published by Domino Publishing Company of America Inc and Just Another Management Co

Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding emerging choreographers.

Founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, the company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Sylvia Waters was selected by Mr. Ailey to be its founding Artistic Director, serving in that role for the Company's first 38 seasons and helping Ailey II to flourish into one of the most popular modern dance companies, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs.

In September 2021, Francesca Harper stepped into the role of Artistic Director of Ailey II. Harper—who trained at The Ailey School and who has choreographed for both Ailey companies—brings fresh perspectives to Mr. Ailey’s legacy, while nurturing new creative voices and propelling the company forward.

Chairman
Daria L. Wallach

President
Anthony S. Kendall

Vice-Chairmen
Sela Thompson Collins, Jaishri Kapoor, Stephen J. Meringoff, Arthur J. Mirante II

Joy Allen-Altimare, Eleanor S. Applewhaite, Robert Battle, Gunther T. Bright, Laura D. Corb, Robert Kissane, Anthony A. Lewis, Leslie L. Maheras, Lucinda C. Martinez, Jack Pitts, Muhammad Qubbaj, Lata N. Reddy, Bennett Rink, Danielle M. Robinson, PhD, Oti Roberts, Cara Sabin, Joan H. Weill, Edna Kane Williams, DeJuan V. Wilson, Gillian Wynn, Jean-Rene Zetrenne, Pamela D. Zilly

Chairmen Emeriti
Philip Laskawy, Stanley Plesent, Esq.,* Joan H. Weill

President Emeriti
Debra L. Lee, Henry McGee

*In Memoriam

Recipient of a National Medal of Arts

Bennett Rink, Executive Director

Pamela Robinson, Chief Financial Officer

Ines Aslan, Chief External Affairs Officer

TOURING CONTACT

OPUS 3 ARTISTS: 212-584-7500 / www.opus3artists.com

www.AlvinAiley.org

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