A Landmark Appointment in Dance Leadership
Alicia Graf Mack has been named the new artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The organization announced her appointment on November 21, marking a significant milestone in her career. Mack will transition from her current role as director of dance at Juilliard to lead this iconic dance institution in July 2025.
“I have been inspired by the Ailey organization since I was a baby,” Mack shared with The New York Times. Her journey comes with deep personal connection and profound excitement.
Breaking Barriers and Embracing Unique Talents
Standing nearly six feet tall, Mack represents a powerful narrative of overcoming professional challenges. Early in her career, she faced obstacles like injuries and initial rejections from ballet companies. However, Alvin Ailey became her artistic home, embracing her distinctive qualities.
“I am a nearly six-foot tall Black woman,” Mack explained, “and to step into a company that embraced me for exactly who I am — that saw as special gifts what others viewed as barriers — allowed me to hone my craft.”
A Legacy of Cultural Representation
Mack will be the fourth artistic director in the organization’s history. She succeeds Robert Battle and follows the legendary Judith Jamison, who led the company after founder Alvin Ailey’s passing in 1989.
Anthony A. Lewis, a board member, highlighted Mack’s exceptional qualities: “In Alicia, we saw a strength of character like Mr. Ailey’s, along with a vision for the future.”
Artistic Vision Rooted in Social Justice
Her leadership approach remains deeply committed to Ailey’s original mission. Mack emphasizes the role of artists as cultural ambassadors, particularly during challenging societal moments.
“Ailey dancers are always aware that they are cultural ambassadors,” she said, “and in these very complicated, discouraging times, the role of artists to bring beauty and hope is even more important.”
A Journey of Perseverance and Passion
From the Dance Theater of Harlem to American Ballet Theater and finally Alvin Ailey, Mack’s career reflects resilience. She performed with Alvin Ailey from 2005 to 2008 and again from 2011 to 2014, before focusing on education.
Her return represents a profound full-circle moment, bridging her past experiences with future aspirations.
