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Robert Battle

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BIO

Robert Battle became Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in July 2011 after being personally selected by Judith Jamison, making him only the third person to head the Company since it was founded in 1958. Mr. Battle has a long-standing association with the Ailey organization.



A frequent choreographer and artist in residence at Ailey since 1999, he has set many of his works on Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Ailey II, and at The Ailey School. The Company’s current repertory includes his ballets Ella, For Four, In/Side, Love Stories finale, Mass, and Unfold. In addition to expanding the Ailey repertory with works by artists as diverse as Kyle Abraham, Mauro Bigonzetti, Ronald K. Brown, Rennie Harris, and Paul Taylor, Mr. Battle has also instituted the New Directions Choreography Lab to help develop the next generation of choreographers.

Mr. Battle’s journey to the top of the modern dance world began in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami, Florida. He showed artistic talent early and studied dance at a high school arts magnet program before moving on to Miami’s New World School of the Arts, under the direction of Daniel Lewis and Gerri Houlihan, and finally to the dance program at The Juilliard School, under the direction of Benjamin Harkarvy, where he met his mentor, Carolyn Adams. He danced with Parsons Dance from 1994 to 2001, and also set his choreography on that company starting in 1998. Mr. Battle then founded his own Battleworks Dance Company, which made its debut in 2002 in Düsseldorf, Germany, as the U.S. representative to the World Dance Alliance’s Global Assembly. Battleworks subsequently performed extensively at venues including The Joyce Theater, Dance Theater Workshop, American Dance Festival, and Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival.

Mr. Battle was honored as one of the “Masters of African-American Choreography” by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in 2005, and he received the prestigious Statue Award from the Princess Grace Foundation-USA in 2007. He is a recipient of the 2021 Dance Magazine Award and has honorary doctorates from The University of the Arts, Marymount Manhattan College, and Fordham University. Mr. Battle was named a 2015 Visiting Fellow for The Art of Change, an initiative by the Ford Foundation. He is a sought-after keynote speaker and has addressed a number of high-profile organizations, including the United Nations Leaders Programme and the UNICEF Senior Leadership Development Programme.

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Joffrey Concert Group To Present IN MY ART In February
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 18, 2025

The Joffrey Concert Group will appear February 14 & 15  (3 performances) at the Ailey Citigroup Theater in a program of new works by Company Artistic Director Bradley Shelver, and Ms. Tsai Hsi Hung and Mr. Thang Dao.
Alicia Graf Mack, Renowned Dancer, Educator, and Institutional Leader Appointed Artistic Director of AILEY
by Stephi Wild - Nov 22, 2024

The Board of Trustees of Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation has announced that Alicia Graf Mack has been appointed Artistic Director of AILEY. Learn more about Mack here!
Paul Mescal in STREETCAR, Whitney White's MACBETH IN STRIDE & More Play BAM
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 11, 2024

BAM has revealed its 2025 Winter Spring Season, featuring Paul Mescal in A Streetcar Named Desire, Whitney White's Macbeth in Stride, and more. Learn more about the full lineup here!
Judith Jamison, Alvin Ailey Dancer and Artistic Director, Passes Away at 81
by Blair Ingenthron - Nov 10, 2024

BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer Judith Jamison, who later became Artistic Director of the company, passed away on Saturday, November 9, at the age of 81, after a brief illness
Review: LEGACY, Royal Ballet and Opera
by Matthew Paluch - Oct 31, 2024

It’s interesting to consider that ballet began its development in the mid 16th century, however it wasn't until around 400 years later that BIPOC (American) dancers Maria Tallchief, Raven Wilkinson and Arthur Mitchell, first joined ballet companies.
Hudson Valley Dance Festival Raises Record $170,629 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 17, 2024

The 2024 Broadway Flea Market & Grand Auction raised a record-breaking $1,043,825 for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, marking the highest total in the event's 37-year history. Learn more!
Gibney and The Simons Foundation Reveal Open Interval Residency 2024-2025 Awardees
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 11, 2024

Gibney and the Simons Foundation have revealed the 2024-2025 Open Interval Residency cohort. This marks the third year of a partnership that began in 2022. Learn more about the awardees.
Ballet, Contemporary and World Premiere Performances Added to Hudson Valley Dance Festival Lineup
by Stephi Wild - Sep 24, 2024

The full performer lineup for Hudson Valley Dance Festival is set, bringing together globally renowned performers and companies to the heart of the Hudson Valley on Sunday, October 13, 2024, at Historic Catskill Point in Catskill, NY.   
Paul Taylor Dance Company Comes to Lincoln Center in November
by Stephi Wild - Sep 10, 2024

The Paul Taylor Dance Company will return to the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for its annual Fall Season from November 5 through November 24, 2024, with music performed live by Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Miami Dance Icon Daniel Lewis to be Celebrated in October With Events, Performances & More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 9, 2024

Miami will celebrate dance icon Daniel Lewis' birthday with special events, performances, and tributes. Join the festivities honoring his contributions to the dance community.
Sean Aaron Carmon Joins Dance Kaleidoscope
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 6, 2024

Dance Kaleidoscope has announced that Sean Aaron Carmon, a distinguished contemporary dance choreographer and performer with a robust and diverse career, has joined Dance Kaleidoscope as Rehearsal Director.
Tsai Hsi Hung, Thang Dao Selected for Joffrey Concert Group Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative
by Blair Ingenthron - Aug 18, 2024

Joffrey Concert Group has announced the talented choreographers chosen for the prestigious Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative (CMCI).
Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival Announces Week 7 Programming, Featuring Parsons Dance and More
by Blair Ingenthron - Jul 14, 2024

Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival will welcomes the internationally-touring modern dance company Parsons Dance back to the Ted Shawn Theatre, 25 years after their last engagement with the festival in 1999.
Joffrey Concert Group Offers Opportunities to Choreographers
by Blair Ingenthron - May 26, 2024

The New York-based Joffrey Concert Group has announced the third annual Creative Movers Choreographic Initiative (CMCI), offering an opportunity to two choreographers to create a work for the Joffrey Concert Group, to be performed at the Company's February 2025 New York concert season.
Contemporary Dance Series At Bryant Park Picnic Performances Beginning June 6
by A.A. Cristi - May 23, 2024

Discover the Contemporary Dance Series at Bryant Park Picnic Performances starting June 6, featuring Ayodele Casel, David Dorfman Dance, Ronald K. Brown/EVIDENCE, Mark Morris Dance Group, and more.
Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company to Present Two-Week 2024 Summer Intensive
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 21, 2024

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will hold its 2024 Summer Intensive with two sessions in June, offering classes in Kinetic Spiral and Dancing with Props, followed by auditions for the 2025 season. Learn how to apply!
Instructors Revealed For The Free Hinton Battle Day Of Dance
by Stephi Wild - May 15, 2024

On Monday, June 10th, 2024, the dance community will join for the “HINTON BATTLE - DAY OF DANCE.'
Joffrey Concert Group & Limon2 Perform At ICONS DANCE FESTIVAL This Weekend
by A.A. Cristi - Apr 13, 2024

The Joffrey Concert Group has announced the 'Icons Dance Festival,' which this year welcomes guest company  Limón 2.
Parsons Dance Will Return to the Joyce For Annual NYC Homecoming
by Stephi Wild - Apr 11, 2024

Parsons Dance will return to The Joyce Theater for its annual two-week season, from Tuesday, May 14 through Saturday, May 25.  
Houston Contemporary Dance Company Will Perform ELECTROSTATIC ATTRACTION
by Stephi Wild - Apr 2, 2024

Houston Contemporary Dance Company will present Electrostatic Attraction to continue their 5th Season. This concert will include a world premiere by Houston Ballet Demi Soloist, Jack Wolff and a new solo created by Andrea Dawn Shelley on founding company member Genene Walis McGrath.

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