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Members of the Company all mid jump in CENTURY

Repertory

CENTURY

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

RUN TIME

25 Minutes

WORLD PREMIERE

New York City Center, 2023

REHEARSAL ASSOCIATE

Natrea Blake

MUSIC

Various Artists*

COSTUME DESIGN

Susan Roemer

LIGHTING AND SCENIC DESIGN

Nicole Pearce

Amy Hall Garner’s first work for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is a deeply personal piece inspired by her grandfather on the eve of his 100th birthday. Taking a cue from the spirited essence with which he lives, CENTURY is a celebration of life, resilience, and joy—a pure dance work set to the music of Ray Charles, Count Basie, The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, and others. The dancers move at breathtaking speed through choreography inspired by jazz partnered dances and the syncopated rhythms of the music. 

A group of dancers dressed in pink dresses and pink suites pose on stage

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Amy Hall Garner's CENTURY Photo by Paul Kolnik

A man in a pink suit reaches foward with one arm as he kicks one leg back behind him.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Renaldo Maurice in Amy Hall Garner's CENTURY Photo by Paul Kolnik

Jacquelin Harris jumping in the air and holding hands with Chalvar Monteiro

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Chalvar Monteiro and Jacquelin Harris in Amy Hall Garner's CENTURY Photo by Paul Kolnik

A woman in a pink dress kicks one leg up into the air.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater's Caroline T. Dartey in Amy Hall Garner's CENTURY Photo by Paul Kolnik

Members of the Company all mid jump in CENTURY

Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in Amy Hall Garner's CENTURY Photo by Paul Kolnik

See It Live

Music Credits

“Basie Land” performed by Count Basie, courtesy of Sierra Music Publications, Inc. “Alexander's Ragtime Band (Live)” performed by Ray Charles and composed by Irving Berlin. “Why Your Feet Hurt” by Rebirth Brass Band, courtesy of Brass Basin Street Records. “Snowball” by The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, courtesy of BMG Rights Management. “Total Praise” performed by Cyrus Chestnut and written by Richard Smallwood, courtesy of Capitol CMG Licensing. “Virgin Jungle” performed by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra, courtesy of G. Schirmer, Inc., publisher and copyright owner. “This Could be the Start of Something Big” performed by Count Basie and written by Steve Allen, courtesy of Meadowlane Music, Inc. The world premiere of CENTURY was made possible with sup­port from Maury & Joseph Bohan, The Ellen Jewett & Richard L. Kaufman Endowment Fund, and the Pamela D. Zilly and John H. Schaefer Endowment Fund.

FUNDERS

The world premiere of CENTURY is made possible with sup­port from Maury & Joseph Bohan, The Ellen Jewett & Richard L. Kaufman Endowment Fund, and the Pamela D. Zilly and John H. Schaefer Endowment Fund.