Get a behind-the-scenes look at the making of Interim Artistic Director Matthew Rushing’s world premiere Sacred Songs, now on tour around the country, in this new video series, Beyond the Stage. 

Sacred Songs originated as a special commission for the Whitney Museum of American Art in conjunction with the Edges of Ailey exhibition. In the first instance of a work being devised on Ailey Extension students, Mr. Rushing collaborated with a group of Extension dancers who performed the work at The Whitney in November 2024. (Read more about the development of Sacred Songs for the Whitney here.) He then translated the work for the dancers of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, expanding his original ideas for the larger New York City Center stage. 

Hear from Mr. Rushing about the initial concept at the root of Sacred Songs, and how reviving and renewing some of the original spirituals from Alvin Ailey’s 1960 Revelations inspired the new work. Other videos in the series reveal the creative process behind the music, costumes, and collaboration with the dancers for this historic and momentous work. 

Composer, creative associate, and musical director Du’Bois A’Keen also released an expanded version of the score, Sacred Songs Suite, as a live album including never-before-heard tracks and moments that did not make it into the dance. Listen wherever you stream music. 

Watch Beyond the Stage now!