Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

General information
Year founded1958 (1958)
Founding artistic directorAlvin Ailey
LocationThe Joan Weill Center for Dance
405 West 55th Street
New York, New York 10019
Principal venueNew York City Center
Websiteailey.org
Senior staff
Executive DirectorBennett Rink
Artistic staff
Artistic DirectorAlicia Graf Mack (beginning July 1, 2025)
Other
Official schoolAiley School
Associated schoolsAiley Extension

Founded in 1958, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) is the largest modern dance company in the United States. Based in New York City, the company was founded by Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Alvin Ailey (1931–1989), a noted choreographer and dancer. The Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, which includes AAADT and Ailey II, the Ailey School, Ailey Extension, AileyCamp, and other operations, is housed in the 87,000 square-foot Joan Weill Center for Dance, one of the largest buildings dedicated exclusively to dance in the United States. AAADT is recognized as a vital American cultural ambassador, and has performed for diverse audiences in more than seventy countries around the world.