Ailey II dancers will storm the historic Folly Theater April 25-26, bringing their raw talent and bold vision to a community that has embraced Alvin Ailey’s legacy for decades.
The acclaimed touring dance company Ailey II is comprised of talented early-career dance professionals. Under Artistic Director Francesca Harper’s direction since 2021, the company continues to break new ground in modern dance.
“This season, Ailey II will thrill audiences across the country with mesmerizing premieres alongside returning favorites and iconic dances by Alvin Ailey,” said Harper.
The April performances, presented by the nonprofit Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey (KCFAA), will feature the world premiere of “Down the Rabbit Hole” by emerging choreographer Houston Thomas, while also celebrating the life and legacy of Ailey American Dance Theater’s beloved Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison.
Founded in 1974, Ailey II serves as a bridge between the Ailey School and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater as a way to make careers in dance more accessible. As a result, Ailey II boasts some of the most daring and innovative dancers and choreographers in the world.
Thomas’ “Down the Rabbit Hole” expands on his earlier work “Follow the White Rabbit” (2022), examining our complex relationship with technology. Inspired by “The Matrix” film series, the piece explores how technology transforms human interactions in daily life.
Who’s Alvin Ailey?
Alvin Ailey was a pioneering choreographer who established his now-legendary dance theater in 1958. He created works celebrating African-American cultural heritage and Black excellence, and even though he passed away in 1989, his artistic vision remains vibrant through performances worldwide with his Ailey American Dance Company and Ailey II.
You’ll also witness Harper’s own creation “Luminous,” a work paying homage to Ailey II’s 50th anniversary and the pioneering artists who paved the way for today’s dancers.
No Ailey performance would be complete without “Revelations,” the American masterpiece that has moved audiences worldwide since 1960. The work pays tribute to the African-American cultural heritage that Ailey considered “one of America’s richest treasures — sometimes sorrowful, sometimes jubilant, but always hopeful.”
Ailey II’s Kayla Mei-Wan Thomas and Alfred L. Jordan II. (Credit: Nir Arieli)
40th Anniversary Gala Celebration
KCFAA has embedded Ailey’s vision into KC’s cultural fabric. Their education initiatives, including two free summer AileyCamps and a year-round studio program, reached 20,000+ people in 2023 alone — adding to more than 1.3 million individuals served since 1984.
As KCFAA celebrates its 40th anniversary, their annual gala will cap off the KC stretch of Ailey II performances. This year’s gala, themed “Dance for The People,” kicks off on Sat., April 26, at 6 p.m. at the Folly with Ailey II performing excerpts from Judith Jamison’s “Divining” and “Revelations.”
“Divining” was Jamison’s first choreographic work for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, created in 1984.
Following the performance, the celebration continues at the Downtown Kansas City Marriott Hotel with a performance by KCFAA’s AileyCamp the Group under Chief Artistic Officer Tyrone Aiken’s direction. The balance of the evening includes a delicious dinner, exciting auction items, and a rousing dance party to cap off the night.
“The annual gala is not just a fundraiser; it’s a celebration of dance, culture, and the incredible community that has supported us for 40 years,” said Carla Williams-Evans, CEO of KCFAA. “We invite everyone to join us for a night filled with inspiration, entertainment, and unforgettable memories.”
Showtimes & Tickets
Ailey II
Folly Theater
300 W. 12th St, KCMO
April 25 at 7:30 p.m.
April 26 at 1 p.m.
Tickets from $35 at bit.ly/AileyIIatFolly2025
KC Friends of Alvin Ailey Performances and Gala
Folly Theater and Downtown Marriott
April 26 at 6 p.m.Tickets from $250 at bit.ly/KCFAAgala2025
