Ailey II Athletes Make Dance Look Effortless

Ailey II dancers have a reputation for physicality, but what does it really take to be onstage for two hours every night? A mixture of talent, stamina, dedication and grace for sure, and also years of training and practice.

For many Ailey II dancers, training begins at a young age. Even as high school students in The Ailey School, schedules were intensive, with students attending academic classes from 7:45 a.m. to 1:20 p.m. and classes in ballet, modern dance, West African, jazz and other techniques from 1:45 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Not only is that longer than a typical 40-hour work week, but that school schedule is supplemented by workshops and lectures on dance history, nutrition, anatomy, injury prevention, body conditioning, music for dancers, improvisation, career transition, college preparation and audition practice. CLICK HERE to see just one little exercise demonstrated by Ailey II dancers for DanceSpirit Magazine.

Think you could do that? I know better than to attempt a parallel arabesque, but I won’t miss the chance to see Ailey II Thursday, November 4. Visit foxcitiespac.com for details!

Want to learn more? Come early for a FREE Appleton Papers Inc. Community Engagement Activity. Associate artistic director, Troy Powell will lead a preshow discussion starting at 6:45 p.m. in the Kimberly-Clark Theater.