Alvin Ailey's New Artistic Director on Dance's Power to Connect

Alicia Graf Mack steps into a pivotal role at the renowned dance company during a fraught cultural moment.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:58pm

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Alicia Graf Mack, the newly appointed artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, discusses the company's legacy, her vision for the future, and the responsibility of leading one of the most influential dance institutions during a time of political pressure and renewed questions around representation, access, and community.

Why it matters

As a renowned dance company that has long centered Black life, history, and spirituality, Alvin Ailey faces mounting challenges as cultural institutions navigate a shifting political landscape. Graf Mack's leadership will be crucial in upholding the company's mission of accessibility and using dance as a form of protest, resilience, and connection.

The details

Graf Mack, a former dancer with Alvin Ailey and director of the dance program at Juilliard, was named the company's artistic director in 2025. In this role, she is not only developing artistry and curating seasons, but also fundraising, working with the board, and thinking about the organization's marketing, partnerships, and long-term sustainability. Graf Mack is committed to honoring Alvin Ailey's vision of putting Black life onstage and making the dance experience accessible to all.

  • Alicia Graf Mack was named Alvin Ailey's artistic director in 2025.
  • She first joined the company as a dancer in 2005.

The players

Alicia Graf Mack

The newly appointed artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a former dancer with the company and director of the dance program at Juilliard.

Alvin Ailey

The founder of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, who in 1958 put Black life, history, and spirituality onstage, challenging the Eurocentric stories told by ballet companies at the time.

Judith Jamison

A former artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, whose furniture is still in Graf Mack's office.

Carmen de Lavallade

A mentor to Graf Mack, who she spoke with in the dancer's final days.

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What they’re saying

“Alvin Ailey was so ahead of his time that his vision still feels like the blueprint. In 1958, when ballet companies were telling Eurocentric stories of kings and queens, he put Black life onstage—our spirituality, our struggles, our joy—and insisted it was universal.”

— Alicia Graf Mack, Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

“The idea that we are here to uplift and bring joy is a form of not only protest but resilience and resistance. People come to the theater as a balm—they want to be transported from what we go through every day. And we take that responsibility seriously.”

— Alicia Graf Mack, Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater

What’s next

Graf Mack will continue to curate and develop new works for the Alvin Ailey company, while also focusing on the organization's long-term sustainability through fundraising, partnerships, and community engagement.

The takeaway

Under Graf Mack's leadership, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will continue to uphold its mission of using dance as a means of protest, resilience, and connection, providing audiences with a transformative experience that celebrates Black life and culture.