The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) will return to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark, NJ for a select number of exclusive performances this Mother’s Day weekend, May 8-10. The world-renowned, historically Black institution will feature three “mixed repertory” shows that feature routines both new and classic. “It started when I was 11 at Ailey Camp,” recalled Ailey dancer and Newark native Christopher Taylor, in an exclusive phone interview with the AmNews. “Every Mother’s Day I would go to NJPAC and see them perform. To be able to perform dances that I grew up watching is a blessing and I’m very grateful … It weighs heavy, in a good way. It feels full circle, like I was meant to do this.”
The AAADT was formed by late namesake founder and director Alvin Ailey in 1958, “during a critical moment in the civil rights movement,” according to descriptions of their show on the NJPAC website. The group’s 1960 piece “Revelations,” which reflects on the Black experience and draws influence from blues, gospel, and African rhythms, has proven significant in dance culture, and is set to be performed this weekend, along with “Embrace,” which premiered in 2025 and was choreographed by Frederick Earl Mosley, who Taylor describes as his “mentor.” “He gave me a solo in the dance — again, full circle moment,” Taylor said to AmNews. “It’s about love, the ups and downs, and how love comes in different shapes and forms…I feel like I have to go into my acting bag because it’s a bit silly – quirky, but it also has a serious tone to it…It’s a piece that really pushes our boundaries.” Dance is perhaps one of the oldest forms of storytelling, and its development has deep concurrent ties to Black American music, rooted in African rhythms. “As I got older, I started to realize as Black people we need more representation in this field — I’ve been lucky to be a part of Ailey,” Taylor told AmNews. “Representation is important so that more Black men and young Black girls can be like ‘hey, I can do that!’ Because before Ailey, I thought dance was just hip-hop and ballet — girls in tutus. When I started to see Black bodies at NJPAC it was a different world. I was like ‘wow, they look like me, I can do that, I have the option.’ It’s all because of Ailey.”
You can score tickets to Christopher Taylor’s full circle performances with the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater this weekend and find out more information at NJPAC.org.