Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs
Nasha Thomas and Michael Thomas, master teachers and former Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater company members, facilitate a dynamic and fun exploration in this series of nine video lessons adapted from the Revelations: An Interdisciplinary Approach curriculum for middle school grades, emphasizing students' creativity and artistic point of view, and building dance knowledge through the lens of Alvin Ailey's signature ballet, Revelations.
In each lesson, Nasha and Michael lead a warm-up, teach sections of an original warm-up dance combination and demonstrate interdisciplinary activities inspired by Revelations and the world of Ailey dance we know today. Along the way, students acquire essential dance vocabulary and concepts, learn about Alvin Ailey and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and develop their understanding of dancemaking and other artistic and academic disciplines. Teachers of any subject area can easily guide their students through this interdisciplinary curriculum.
“I'm trying to hold up a mirror to society so that people can see how beautiful they are."
- Alvin Ailey
Recommended Grades: 5 – 8
Length: 20-25 minutes (9 lessons)
*Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Alvin Ailey’s Revelations. Photo by Christopher Duggan.
