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Members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Judith Jamison's Hymn, the company standing on stage with right arms raised, left hand over their hearts.

Repertory

Hymn

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

WORLD PREMIERE

New York City Center, 1993

RESTAGING

Masazumi Chaya

MUSIC

Robert Ruggieri

ORIGNAL COSTUMES

Toyce Anderson

COSTUMES

Redesigned by Jon Taylor

LIGHTING

Timothy Hunter

LIBRETTO AND TEXT

Anna Deavere Smith

SET

Timothy Hunter, Daniel Bonitsky, and Donald J. Oberpriller

RUN TIME

  • 37 minutes

Artistic Director Emerita Judith Jamison’s stunning, Emmy Award-winning 1993 tribute to Alvin Ailey uses explosive, full company dances and quiet solos to illuminate Mr. Ailey’s humanity and the dancers’ unique qualities. Personal recollections from Ms. Jamison and dancers arranged by the multi-talented actor and playwright Anna Deavere Smith and a driving percussive score by Robert Ruggieri contribute to this landmark work that’s as intimately moving as it is awe-inspiring. 

Hymn by Judith Jamsion

A large group of silhouettes extending their arms in the air

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Judith Jamison's Hymn Photo by Paul Kolnik

A group of dancers huddled together with the light focused on them. Two other groups are also close together, but not in the light

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Judith Jamison's Hymn Photo by Nan Melville

All of the dancers in a circle walking away from each other

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Judith Jamison's Hymn Photo by Paul Kolnik

Every Dancer with kneeling with their head down and their arms exentended outwards and down

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Judith Jamison's Hymn Photo by Nan Melville

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Hero Credit: Photo by Paul Kolnik