Knowing the heritage of
AAADT from his own childhood experiences, Robert was keen to develop the company while ensuring it remained true to its roots.
Known for their passion, energy and talent,
AAADT have performed in more than 70 countries for audiences in excess of 21 million.
The luminescent, 77,000-SF home of the world-renowned
AAADT will have eight stories: six above grade and two below, and will contain 12 dance studios ranging in size from 1,250 to 2,250 SF.
Caption:
AAADT in the opening section: "I Been 'Buked"
And he knew that
AAADT was his number one choice for a dancing career.
In many ways
AAADT has become as much Jamison's project as it was Ailey's.
Chosen by
AAADT dancer Jamar Roberts, a 2007 "25 to Watch."
Recognizing his keen need for dance, his mother (both parents are ministers) managed to procure two tickets to a sold-out performance of
AAADT where he saw Ailey's signature works Revelations and Cry.
"When I first saw her onstage I thought she was oddly gorgeous and had so much integrity," says Judith Jamison, artistic director of
AAADT. Integrity is just one of the qualities that describe her; honesty (in word and action) and passion (for life, knowledge, and dance) are others.
"In the 21st century, that means being on the social networks and using cell phone technology to share the mission of the company." She hopes
AAADT will be able to use cell phones to do performance Q&As and provide behind-the-scenes messages that fans can phone in to hear.
For the 12-member Ailey II, the "junior company" to which the school's top students aspire, and from which many dancers feed into the
AAADT (as well as Philadanco, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Elisa Monte Dance, LINES Contemporary Ballet, Complexions, and Broadway shows), the new home will mean an end to competing for space when both companies are rehearsing simultaneously.
part, however, it is because Judith Jamison,
AAADT'S artistic