Dance at Arsht Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance

For over 50 years, Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance has merged 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, artistic director Francesca Harper brings fresh perspectives to Mr. Ailey’s legacy while nurturing new creative voices and propelling the company forward.

Chalvar Monteiro’s "Berry Dreamin' " centers on the music, personality and soul-stirring lyricism of Chuck Berry, the father of rock 'n' roll. This works aims to reimagine the rich origin story for a star on the rise—the journey to adulthood and the moving target that is human connection against a day-dreamy, subconscious landscape that gives birth to our wildest dreams.

"Third Person Point of View" by choreographer My’Kal Stromile begins in medias res. We enter a nontraditional, three-person relationship in its fully functioning form: fluid, intricate and quietly intimate. We then rewind to the beginning of the relationship, and what the audience sees is two people deeply attuned and a third seeking entry, admiration and a place to belong. As the title suggests, the piece invites the audience to witness the story from the outside, observing a relationship as it unfolds without ever being directly addressed. Camera flashes fracture time, illuminating moments of effort, allure and unspoken negotiation. Guided by evolving physicality, the dancers explore how love expands—often imperfectly, always intentionally—revealing the quiet ache of being seen from the outside and the grace of slowly being let in.

"In Session" by choreographer Rena Butler is a collective portrait of coming of age, where the tension between conformity and rebellion shapes the action of maturation. The work explores how individuals navigate the process of finding themselves while moving within—and against—the collective, challenging the notion that growth requires uniformity and asserting instead that no student needs to be the same. Through layered physicality and communal rhythm, "In Session" reveals the nuanced journey of self-discovery within a community.

(Program is subject to change.)

J. White, J. Gerken and C. Brooks. Photo by Nir Arieli.