Review: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performs in L.A.: An unforgettable night of movement, emotion and connection

Founded in 1958 by the legendary Alvin Ailey, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is one of the most renowned dance companies in the world.

Ailey’s vision was to create a company that blended diverse cultural elements through the transformative power of dance, producing performances that reflect the richness of the human experience and the complexity of human emotion. He believed in the ability of dance to tell universal stories while honoring African American storytelling through movement.

Ailey’s approach was groundbreaking, combining modern dance, ballet, jazz, and other forms, resulting in a powerful fusion that transcended boundaries. This innovative style quickly gained recognition, and the company earned the nickname “Cultural Ambassador to the World.”

Over the years, AAADT has performed for prestigious venues such as the White House, embarked on a 10-country tour of Africa for the U.S. State Department in 1967, performed in the USSR in 1970, and toured China in 1985.

The company has also graced the Opening Ceremonies of the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and even performed at 3:00 a.m. on New Year’s Day for the Prince of Morocco in 1978.

For the 2024-2025 season, both AAADT and Ailey II are dedicating their tours to the life and legacy of Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison (1943-2024), who played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s artistic vision and global presence.

Standing at the entrance of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, moments before stepping inside. (Photo by Summer Park)

AAADT continues to tour extensively around the world, showcasing its innovative choreography and artistic excellence.

The 2025 North American tour, AAADT’s 2025 tour, started in Cleveland, OH, on January 31, 2025, and will continue until May 11, 2025 in Newark, NJ.

Some of the highlights of this tour include performances in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, GA, Chicago, IL, New Orleans, LA, and Los Angeles, CA.

In 1974, Alvin Ailey founded the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble (now known as Ailey II) to provide young, emerging dancers with opportunities to hone their craft. Today, Ailey II continues to serve as a platform for new talent, and in 2025, the company will be on tour in cities such as Albuquerque, NM, Santa Fe, NM, Aspen, CO, Green Bay, WI, and Miami, FL, from February 2 to May 1, 2025. While AAADT is on its extensive tour, Ailey II will be on its own journey, further exemplifying Alvin Ailey’s legacy of pushing boundaries while honoring the rich history of dance.

The graceful Nureyev statue showcased inside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. (Photo by Summer Park)

I had the incredible opportunity to see the Alvin Ailey performance at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in the Music Center in Los Angeles, and the experience left an extremely lasting impact on me. The audience was packed, and the energy in the room was palpable. As someone who has been dancing my whole life, it was fascinating, heart-touching, and remarkable to witness the dancers express a wide range of emotions through movement.

Inside the theater, with the show about to begin. The seats are filling up rapidly, as thousands of people eagerly settle in for the performance. (Photo by Summer Park)

The performance was a beautiful blend of traditional movements and contemporary elements, which really emphasized the company’s mission of preserving tradition while presenting it in a modern way. It was amazing to see how they mixed and blended different cultural elements and dance styles, making every movement feel both timeless and fresh.

What stood out the most was how the dancers showcased their individuality. Each one of them was unique in their own way, but when they performed together, their synchronization was flawless. The choreographed pieces were so intricately designed, with each dancer complementing the others, yet maintaining their distinct style. It was a powerful reminder of how unity and individuality can coexist in art.

The lighting throughout the performance perfectly represented the emotional depth of each piece, and the minimalist costumes allowed the focus to remain solely on the dancers and their movements. It felt like the audience was completely drawn to the performance and the dancers themselves.

I honestly didn’t expect to cry, but I did. The performance was so moving with the stories conveyed through dance unfolding in a way that brought out emotions I didn’t anticipate. What was even more special was the way the audience connected — complete strangers were cheering and rooting for the dancers together, united by the powerful performance.

It was clear that Alvin Ailey’s work has a unique ability to bring people together, transcending any barriers and creating a shared experience. In addition, the way the performers bowed at the end, in a way that was uniquely their own, only added to the beauty of the moment. It was a truly unforgettable experience.