2003 Recipient: The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

Totowa, NJ / New York, NY : The Capezio Ballet Makers Dance Foundation is proud to announce the selection of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as the 52nd recipient of the Capezio Dance Award. Awarded annually since 1952, the Capezio Dance Award is presented by the Capezio Ballet Makers Dance Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Capezio Ballet Makers, Inc, the world’s leading manufacturer of dance footwear and apparel.

The Capezio Dance Award celebrates significant contribution to American dance by an individual, company or institution. It honors a recipient who or which brings respect, stature and distinction to dance and who or which exhibits innovation, creativity and imagination. These are characteristics synonymous with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Alvin Ailey’s dream was to touch everyone’s heart through dance. Since its historic premiere performance in 1958 at the 92nd street YMHA in Manhattan, the transformation of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, from a small group of gifted pioneers to an internationally acclaimed dance institution, has been remarkable.

Alvin Ailey’s purpose was to establish a multi-racial repertory company dedicated to the presentation of important American dance works from both established and emerging choreographers. The Company has performed more than 195 ballets by 71 choreographers, including 79 pieces by Alvin Ailey. Crossing cultural boundaries with ballets that explore social, political, and abstract dance, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is renowned for its unique blend of dance styles and techniques that incorporate themes of blues, gospel, and contemporary music.

The Company, which has captivated an estimated 19 million people on six continents with its extraordinarily energetic and compelling performances, has become a roving ambassador for American dance. Ever the trailblazer, in 1970 Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was the first American dance company in fifty years to visit the Soviet Union. In 1997 its historic residency in South Africa heralded a triumphant and historic end to the cultural boycott of the previous apartheid regime.

Upon Alvin Ailey’s death and in accordance with his wishes, Judith Jamison was appointed Artistic Director. Today, Ms. Jamison’s vision and leadership preserve and honor the heritage of the past by focusing the repertoire on Ailey’s seminal works; and look to the future by mining the rich currents of American dance for new works and the most talented young dancers to perform them. Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is one of the many components constituting the Alvin Ailey Dance Inc., which also includes Ailey II, The Ailey School, and Ailey Arts-in-Education and Community Outreach. Ensuring the preservation of this singular legacy, The Ailey’s new home, the largest facility in the United States dedicated exclusively to dance, is to be completed in Fall 2004.

Marking the occasion of the 2003 award, the Capezio Ballet Makers Dance Foundation will present the Award, together with a Ten Thousand Dollar ($10,000) check, on a date to be announced. Past recipients of the Capezio Dance Award include Martha Graham, Jerome Robbins, Jacob’s Pillow, last year’s awardee, Michael M. Kaiser and, in 1979, Alvin Ailey. The Capezio Ballet Makers Dance Foundation is devoted to creating a greater appreciation of dance as an art form and, in addition to the Award, makes annual grants to national, regional, state and local dance organizations, programs and projects.