Ailey II brings next generation of dance to the Kanawha Valley

For a young dancer, the journey from the classroom to the professional stage can be a leap into the unknown.

More than half a century ago, choreographer Alvin Ailey helped create a path for emerging performers to make that transition. The result was Ailey II, a company that has become both a training ground for the next generation of professional dancers and a showcase for contemporary choreography.

On Wednesday, Oct. 14, that next generation will take the stage at the Clay Center in Charleston for a one-night performance.

Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, will perform in the Clay Center's Maier Foundation Performance Hall.

Founded in 1974 as the Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, Ailey II was created to bridge the gap between student training and professional dance, giving young artists opportunities to develop their skills through live performances.

That mission remains central to the company today.

According to its official website, Ailey II brings together early-career dancers and works by established and emerging choreographers, combining technical skill with emotional expression.

The company also carries forward Ailey's vision of expanding audiences for dance through touring and community-based performances.

Sylvia Waters, personally selected by Ailey as the company's first artistic director, led the ensemble for 38 seasons.

In September 2021, Francesca Harper, a former student at The Ailey School who had previously choreographed for both Ailey companies, became artistic director.

Under Harper's leadership, Ailey II has continued to honor its founder's legacy while exploring new artistic directions.

That balance between tradition and innovation remains central to the company's identity. Its dancers gain professional experience performing works by choreographers representing different generations of dance.

For Charleston audiences, Wednesday's performance offers a chance to experience that artistic tradition firsthand — and to see the next generation of dancers carrying it forward.