Ailey II Brings Premium Diverse Dance Experience to the Embassy Theatre in March
Fort Wayne, Ind. (November 22, 2023) – The Embassy Theatre and Fort Wayne Dance Collective are excited to bring Ailey ll to the Embassy Theatre on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. Two master classes will be held on March 6 at 6 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. This is the third consecutive year the organizations have collaborated to co-present Fort Wayne Dance Collective’s Guest Artist Residency program.
This year, Ailey II – The Next Generation of Dance – marks its 50th anniversary of merging the spirit and energy of the country’s finest early-career dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding and emerging choreographers. Founded by Alvin Ailey in 1974, this universally renowned company embodies his pioneering mission to establish an extended cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs for all people. Under the leadership of Sylvia Waters, who served as artistic director for 38 seasons, Ailey II flourished into one of the most popular modern dance companies, combining a rigorous touring schedule with extensive community outreach programs. Today, with Artistic Director Francesca Harper at the helm, she brings fresh perspectives to Mr. Ailey’s legacy, while nurturing new creative voices and propelling the company forward.
Master Classes – Wednesday, March 6
6:00 – 7:15 p.m. – Technique Class
Intermediate/Ages 12+
This modern dance workshop will focus on sharing the strength, beauty and essence of Alvin Ailey’s vision of bringing dance back to the people. Using the foundations of the Lester Horton technique and including contemporary methodologies, the class will begin with a warm-up, followed by center sequences and culminating in a combination featuring the company’s current repertory. Students will learn to utilize their strengths, explore their personal style and discover unfamiliar ways of moving.
Technique class ticketing link HERE.
7:30 – 8:45 p.m. – Revelations Repertoire
Intermediate-Advanced/Ages 12+
Since its premiere in 1960, Alvin Ailey’s Revelations has been a lasting cultural treasure beloved by people from around the world. This enduring classic is a tribute to that tradition, born out of the choreographer’s “blood memories” of his childhood in rural Texas and the Baptist Church. Revelations has performed continuously around the globe, transcending barriers of faith and nationality, and appealing to universal emotions, making it one of the most recognized ballets in the world. This class will start with a short warm-up with the Lester Horton Technique and will move quickly to repertoire from Alvin Ailey’s Revelations.
Revelations Repertoire class ticketing link HERE.
MASTER CLASS TICKETS are $25 (plus applicable fees) and PERFORMANCE TICKETS are $35 adult and $25 student/veterans (plus applicable fees) and can be purchased at fwembassytheatre.org, ticketmaster.com or at the STAR Bank box office at the Embassy (260.424.5665) at 125 W. Jefferson Blvd., Fort Wayne. The box office is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. To purchase the master class and performance package, patrons must visit or call the box office at (260) 424-5665. Package cost is $45 plus applicable fees.
Ailey ll performance ticketing link HERE.
This engagement is sponsored by In10sity Dance and supported by the Arts Midwest GIG Fund, a program of Arts Midwest that is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from Indiana Arts Commission, the City of Fort Wayne, and PNC Charitable Trusts.
About the Embassy Theatre
Built in 1928, the Embassy Theatre is Indiana’s largest self-sustaining historic theater. Originally known as the Emboyd, with the adjoining seven-story Indiana Hotel, the majestic movie palace and vaudeville theater introduced Indiana to the biggest stars of stage and screen. Today, the Embassy is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Combining the beauty of a bygone era with the energy and diversity of today’s performers, the Embassy is the showplace of Northern Indiana. Many choose to host events and weddings at the Embassy, as it offers flexibility and a unique event experience in an iconic piece of Fort Wayne history. Visit http://fwembassytheatre.org/ for more information.
About the Fort Wayne Dance Collective
Fort Wayne Dance Collective (FWDC) is a non-profit arts organization located in downtown Fort Wayne, Indiana. FWDC’s mission is to inspire and empower people of all identities, abilities, and stages of life through movement arts. In the 2023 fiscal year, FWDC served 45,805 people throughout Northeast Indiana and has provided scholarships, community programming, classes, and performances for the past 44 years. Visit fwdc.org for more information.
