In step with the times

A few days after our telephone interview from "the belly of the Kennedy Center" in Washington, D.C., where her dance troupe was about to perform, Judith Jamison announced her retirement as artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.

It had nothing to do with anything I said. I promise. (And she's not leaving for three years, until she helps find a suitable replacement.)

Indeed, there was no hint during the interview that she might be quitting. Rather, she spoke of her love of the company and of dance.

"As artistic director, all I've done is agree – as I did when I was a dancer – with Mr. Ailey," she said. "The idea that dance can change people, that you have to dance from deep within (and) know who you are, that's what this company always has been about.

"The dance must come across the footlights, that reciprocity. It's not the audience out there and us on the stage. We think of us as one wonderful cauldron that bubbles up."

Jamison, 64, is a trained ballet dancer and choreographer. (She was discovered by Agnes de Mille and made her New York debut with the American Ballet Theatre in 1964.)

"I've been dancing since I was 6," she said. "For 50 years of my life, I've been a professional dancer, and dancing with Mr. Ailey was fabulous. He was a genius of a choreographer and (was) interested in each of us as an individual, not just a dancer."

She danced with the Ailey company for 15 years before leaving it (with his blessing) to appear in "Sophisticated Ladies" on Broadway. That was in 1980. She had her own dance company for a while but returned in 1989 to assist an ailing Ailey in conducting his troupe's national tour. She became artistic director that year, at his request, shortly before he died. She's been in charge ever since.

The Alvin Ailey dance troupe first performed in March 1958 at the 92nd Street Young Men's Hebrew Association in New York City. Ailey lead a group of young African American dancers in a performance that shocked and surprised, and instantly changed the perception of American dance. Practically since its inception, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre has been one of the greatest modern-dance companies in the world, eclectic in its combination of ballet, contemporary and black concert dance.

Known for energy, emotion, athletic grace and beauty, it is the epitome of contemporary American dance. It is theatrical, spiritual, humorous, sexy – and frequently set to exquisite American music, particularly jazz and rock.

In addition to choreographing for the company, Ailey sought others to contribute dances to the troupe. Besides Jamison – who choreographed such company repertory staples as "Love Stories" (with Robert Battle and Rennie Harris), set to music by Stevie Wonder; and "Reminiscin'," performed to music by Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, Roberta Flack and Diana Krall, among others – Ailey gave opportunities to Ulysses Dove (who also danced with the company for a time and whose dance "Episodes" will be performed at the Mondavi Center), choreographer and teacher Fredrick Earl Mosley, and dancer Camille A. Brown, among others.

"He invited his peers and dancers who were new and talented to share the venue," Jamison said. "That was the most generous thing about the man – he was a great choreographer and shared his stage. He encouraged the dancers to say something about the African American experience and modern dance."

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, stronger than ever financially – and creatively, Jamison said. Under her direction, according to the New York Times, the company had an operating budget of $6.5 million and a deficit of $1 million in 1991. She corrected that in two years. The company hasn't had a deficit since 1993.

This year, its budget is $24 million; it has an endowment of $22 million. It also owns its headquarters at Ninth Avenue and 55th Street in Manhattan, "the largest dedicated dance space in the country," she said. (It's valued at $56 million, according to the Times.) Jamison said the company "will always have a future because we are always looking to the future."

Ailey "left a very strong sense of what modern dance could be," she said. "I couldn't imitate Alvin. All I could do was follow the road map.

"He said dance came from the people and should be delivered back to them. It's not just performance but engaging with the community."

For this 50th anniversary celebration, the troupe is "taking about 20 ballets with us," Jamison said. They run the gamut of styles, choreographers and musical genres, and include Ailey's classic "Revelations," featuring spirituals; and his "Flowers," created in 1971 for the famous British dramatic ballerina Lynn Seymour, about a Janis Joplin-type character and set to music by Joplin, Pink Floyd and Blind Faith. "Revelations" and "Flowers" also are on the Mondavi Center programs.

"Flowers" is "especially relative today," Jamison said, "as it deals with a star's rise and fall, the paparazzi taking pictures, the drugs, the fantasy. I always say it's about a star who believes her publicity."

Any performance by the troupe, Jamison said, "is a wonderful experience. To come see Ailey is to experience what it is to feel free in your enjoyment, to receive what is being given because it comes with great love."

There will be a pre-performance lecture by dance consultant Ruth Rosenberg at 7 p.m. Tuesday in the adjacent Studio Theatre and a student matinee at 11 a.m. Wednesday, recommended for grades 3 to 12. For more information on the student matinee program: (530) 754-4689.

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATRE

WHAT: 50th Anniversary Tour

WHEN: 8 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday

WHERE: Jackson Hall, Mondavi Center, UC Davis

TICKETS: $39-$59 general, $16-$20 students and children

INFORMATION: (530) 754-2787, (866) 754-2787 (toll-free) or www.mondaviarts.org

About the writer:

• Call The Bee's Jim Carnes, (916) 321-1130.