Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey's Revelations (1991/1992) by Jack Mitchell © Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. & Smithsonian InstitutionAiley
From Dance to Theater
Perceptions often lag behind reality, but positive changes are reshaping Black representation in the performing arts. Recent years witness a growing recognition of diverse Black voices challenging stereotypes and fostering inclusivity in the industry.
Proof from photo session featuring AileyThe Black Archives of Mid-America
Meet Alvin Ailey: A Dance Icon
Alvin Ailey was an American choreographer and dancer, best known for founding the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. His innovative works celebrated the Black American experience and made a significant impact on the world of dance.
Portraying Black Heritage on Stage
Ailey is best known for Revelations, which draws on his rural church memories, inspired by Black American bluesspirituals, to narrate the tale of faith and persistence. With this unique portrayal of the Black cultural experience, Ailey became a "cultural ambassador to the world."
“I wanted to do the kind of dance that could be done for the man on the streets, the people. I wanted to show Black people that they could come down to these concert halls. That it was part of their culture being done there. And that it was universal.” - Alvin Ailey
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey's Revelations (2023) by Paul KolnikAiley
Black Art Defines the Mainstream
Ailey's Revelations stands as the most widely-viewed modern dance in the world. Today, more than 23 million people in 71 countries have seen Revelations — more than any other modern dance work.
Rock in Rio 2013 (2013-09-13) by Adriano VizoniFolha de S.Paulo
Black Music is American Music
Rooted in the rhythms of African traditions, Black American music encompasses genres like the blues, jazz, gospel, and hip-hop, and much more. It expresses joy, pain, creativity, and cultural heritage, and has shaped the trajectory of music worldwide.
Lady Buckjumpers at Jazz Fest (clockwise from front): Shalanda Goffner, Barbara Rainey, Nikole Ellis, Renata Hampton, and Linda Tapp Porter (April or May 2008) by Judy CooperThe Historic New Orleans Collection
Join the Parade
Blues in the Deep South expressed hardships, jazz from New Orleans symbolized freedom, gospel evolved into soul, and Bronx-born hip-hop provided a potent platform for social commentary.
Nina Simone (1964-10-18) by Getty Images. Used by permission.SFJAZZ Center
"Jazz is not just music, it's a way of life"
Jazz is an uniquely American invention and its roots are deeply intertwined with Black culture, as a vibrant fusion of African rhythms and American musical traditions.
By Eliot ElisofonLIFE Photo Collection
Did You Know This About Jazz?
One of the defining features of jazz is improvisation. Musicians often create spontaneous, unrehearsed solos during performances, adding a unique and unpredictable element to the music.
“Jazz music itself is an example of changing poison into medicine. African Americans created jazz, a great medicine for people’s hearts, out of the poisonous experience of slavery. Jazz developed from African culture, gospel music, and blues to lift up the spirits of oppressed people, and now it brings joy to people the world over.” - Tina Turner, singer, songwriter and actress, also known as the 'Queen of Rock 'n' Roll'
9X2A9063CLE 1-clearKaramu Performing Arts Theatre
Spotlighting Black Culture on Stage
Black American theater defies stereotypes by portraying nuanced, authentic narratives. Famous productions like "A Raisin in the Sun" and "Fences," showcase the complexity of Black characters, offering a more profound understanding of Black lives, struggles, and triumphs.
Ma Rainey: Rehearsal (2021-10-01) by Will LindseyKaramu Performing Arts Theatre
Black American theater, with luminaries such as August Wilson, Lorraine Hansberry, and Suzan-Lori Parks, has significantly shaped the American theatrer. This legacy is further exemplified by institutions like Karamu Theater, the oldest producer of Black theater in the U.S.
Desmond Richardson performing at the Kennedy Center (2017-04-17) by Theresa Wood and The Kennedy CenterThe John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Spotlighting Black Perspectives
Representation in the performing arts allows for authentic and diverse storytelling, challenging stereotypes, and providing a platform for nuanced exploration of the Black experience.
Ailey's Corrin Rachelle Michell, Miranda Quinn, and Christopher Wilson in Alvin Ailey's Revelations (2021) by Paul KolnikAiley
The inclusion of Black perspectives not only enriches artistic expression but also plays a vital role in reshaping societal perceptions, empowering communities, and promoting a more equitable and interconnected world.
Interested in learning more? Head to Google Arts & Culture's hub The Performing Arts & Black Culture to discover more stories of Black excellence in the arts.
