Robert Battle has been Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater’s artistic director for a decade! He took on the role after he was personally selected by former artistic director Judith Jamison. He’s the third artistic director in Ailey history! Robert has also choreographed several beloved ballets for Ailey over the course of his career. To celebrate his ongoing impact on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, two of his works are premiering as Ailey All Access content for a limited time.
Ella and Mass are ballets choreographed by Robert and later adapted for the Ailey company. Ella was originally a solo performance choreographed to music by Ella Fitzgerald which became a duet for the Ailey stage in 2016. Mass was inspired by Verdi’s Requiem which Robert saw at Carnegie Hall and. Deconstructed, the movements of the choir became the foundation of this ballet.
Both pieces will premiere on the company’s website and YouTube channel Wednesday, August 25, 2021 at 7pm ET. They will be available to watch until Tuesday, September 7 at 7pm ET.