Ailey II

Ailey II is universally renowned for merging the spirit and energy of the country’s best early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and 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. Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular dance companies in the country under the leadership of Sylvia Waters, who was selected by Mr. Ailey to be its founding Artistic Director, serving in that role for the Company’s first 38 seasons. With Artistic Director Francesca Harper at the helm, Ailey II continues to thrive as she brings a fresh dimension to this beloved company. Dance Magazine calls Ailey II "second to none," and The New York Times declares, "There's nothing like an evening spent with Ailey II, the younger version of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater."

Featured Images

Ailey II with Artistic Director ... (Read More) Ailey II with Artistic Director Francesca Harper. Photo by Nir Arieli (Hide)

Ailey II in Alvin Ailey's ... (Read More) Ailey II in Alvin Ailey's Revelations (Hide)

Ailey II's Alfred Jordan, Tamia ... (Read More) Ailey II's Alfred Jordan, Tamia Strickland, and Maggy van den Heuvel in Alvin Ailey's Revelations (Hide)

Ailey II in Alvin Ailey's ... (Read More) Ailey II in Alvin Ailey's Revelations. Photo by Nir Arieli (Hide)

Featured Video

Ailey II 2023 -2024 Season ... (Read More) Ailey II 2023 -2024 Season B-roll (Hide)

Featured News Releases

March 05, 2024

Ailey II Celebrates Golden Anniversary Season At The Joyce Theater April 9 - 14

NEW YORK – March 5, 2024 — Fresh on the heels of a successful world tour, Ailey II, the celebrated second company to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, returns to The Joyce Theater from April 9 – 14 with a golden anniversary celebratory program. During the eight-performance engagement their “dynamic movement and dazzling technique” will shine in premieres by Artistic Director Francesca Harper and the exciting duo of Baye & Asa, Amadi ‘Baye’ Washington and Sam ‘Asa’ Pratt, alongside repertory favorites and revered classics by beloved founder Alvin Ailey, William Forsythe, and Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison.

January 04, 2024

Ailey II, The Next Generation of Dance, Leaps Into Its 50th Anniversary With A World Tour And New York Season

NEW YORK – January 4, 2024 — Ailey II, the next generation of dance, will mark its 50th anniversary of bringing “off-the- charts energy” to the stage by embarking on a world tour from January 20 – May 19, inspiring audiences from Rotterdam, Netherlands to Kansas City, Missouri. The gifted ensemble of rising stars will then return home for a celebratory New York season at The Joyce Theater, April 9 – 14, 2024. The second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will present a diverse repertory including two world premieres, by Artistic Director Francesca Harper and the dynamic duo of Baye & Asa, alongside repertory favorites and revered classics during the 2024 tour and New York City engagement.

February 23, 2023

Ailey II - The Next Generation Of Dance - Returns To The Ailey Citigroup Theater For Two-Week Season March 22 - April 2

NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 23, 2023 — Ailey II, the renowned second company to Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will return to its home, The Ailey Citigroup Theater, for a highly anticipated two-week season—the second led by Artistic Director Francesca Harper—featuring 14 exhilarating performances from March 22- April 2. The gifted ensemble of rising stars will treat audiences to two dynamic programs, Poetic Motion and Empowered, spotlighting works by founder Alvin Ailey, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Artistic Director Robert Battle, William Forsythe, Francesca Harper, Andrea Miller, and former Ailey Company member Elizabeth Roxas-Dobrish.

Featured Press Coverage

TheNewYorkTimes_AileyII_TheJoyce_50Years_Feature_PRINT_04.07.24

April 07, 2024

The New York Times - A Proving Ground Always in Motion

Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, turns 50 this year. Since its creation, some things have remained consistent: It has always served as a bridge between student and professional life. It has always been filled with ambitious young people aspiring to join the main troupe. And, as members of every generation agree, the experience has always been demanding — extremely so.

Pix11_AileyII_TheJoyce_FrancescaHarper_BluesSuite_Broadcast__04.04.24_NOTEASERS

April 04, 2024

Pix 11 - Celebrating 50 Years Of Ailey II

Francesca Harper, the artistic director of Ailey II, joins PIX11 to discuss the upcoming Golden Anniversary program at the Joyce Theater celebrating 50 years since the dance company was founded. Harper also brings along dancers from the program to give a preview of the upcoming performance.

DanceMagazine_AileyII_FrancescaHarper_WhyIDance_Feature_PRINT_March2024

March 01, 2024

Dance Magazine - Why I dance

My relationship with dance has been defined by witnessing. It began at an early age within the vibrant walls of the dance studio. It was more than a space of movement; it was my haven, a second home sculpted by the passion of my mother—Denise Jefferson, a devoted student and teacher of Martha Graham’s technique, and eventually director at The Ailey School. She was passionately devoted to her craft.