Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater to Welcome Three New Dancers for Lincoln Center Season, 6/8-19

Artistic Director Robert Battle welcomes new Company members Ashley Mayeux and Solomon Dumas, and returning dancer Constance Stamatiou in time for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's two-week 15-performance engagement at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts' David H. Koch Theater June 8th - 19th, 2016. Solomon Dumas was first introduced to dance at AileyCamp Chicago, and later earned a scholarship to The Ailey School before dancing with Ailey II and Ronald K. Brown's Evidence. Ashley Mayeux joins the Company after four years with Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Constance Stamatiou was a member of Ailey II before dancing with the Company from 2007-2011. Now a proud mother of two, she is excited to return to the Ailey stage.

The dancers are busy in the studios rehearsing for the world premieres of works by Italian choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti and MacArthur "Genius" Kyle Abraham. Bigonzetti's Deep, is set to the music of Ibeyi, twin indie sensations who sing in English and Yoruba. Abraham's Untitled America: Second Movement is the second work in a three-part suite, which explores the impact of incarceration on African-American families. New productions of Vespers, Ulysses Dove's breathtaking ballet for six women, and The Hunt, Robert Battle's thrilling dance for six men, will be a part of the repertory of over a dozen works on five programs (programming information is below).

The Company also announced free and fun activities for ticket-holders attending Saturday Family Matinees on June 11th and 18th. At 1pm, audiences of all ages are invited to learn steps inspired by Alvin Ailey's Revelations, and enjoy Ailey games and crafts. The 2pm performance concludes with a rousing finale of the masterpiece - a must-see for all - followed by a Q&A with the dancers.

The 2016 Lincoln Center engagement opens on Wednesday, June 8th at 7pm with The Ailey Spirit Gala benefit sponsored by FedEx Corporation. Actor Anthony Anderson and journalist Roland S. Martin will serve as Honorary Chairs of the benefit, which will raise vital funds to support scholarships for talented students of The Ailey School and Ailey's extensive Arts In Education & Community Programs. The performance includes the world-renowned Ailey dancers, the rising stars of Ailey II, gifted young dancers from The Ailey School, and talented students from AileyCamp. An expanded cast of the present and future stars of Ailey will come together for a memorable finale of Alvin Ailey's timeless Revelations. A soirée on the promenade follows the performance. For tickets to the gala call 212-405-9031.

Season performance tickets starting at $25 can be purchased at the David H. Koch Box Office, by phone at 212-496-0600, and online at www.alvinailey.org. For further information about discounts for groups, students, and Ailey's tour performances, please visit www.alvinailey.org. The program schedule is detailed below.

The Ailey Spirit Gala is sponsored by FedEx Corporation.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater gratefully acknowledges the support of Diageo.

Delta Air Lines is the Official Airline of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's New York Spring Season.

American Express is a major supporter of the new production of Blues Suite.

Major support for the creation of Awakening is provided by the Howard Gilman Foundation.

The creation of Awakening is supported in part by the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County with lead sponsor support from Ira and Carole Hall.

Awakening is supported by commissioning funds from Cal Performances at the University of California, Berkeley.

The creation of Open Door is supported by commissioning funds from New York City Center.

The World premiere of Untitled America: Second Movement is made possible by Denise R. Sobel and Tikkun Olam Foundation, Inc.

The 2016 spring season is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Photo by Colin Williams

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