Following a series of online workshops over the past two years, this week Milton Keynes Theatre plays host to Dance Consortium’s in-person Ailey Project UK Summer Intensive. This is the first intensive which actively seeks to give opportunities for the black youth dance sector to engage with the world-famous Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. It will be led by the prestigious Ailey School Director Tracy Inman and renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer, Yannick Lebrun.
Local young dancers from Milton Keynes will be joined by young dancers from around the UK, who have been nominated by their dance companies Irie Dance Theatre, Eloquent Dance and Artistry Dance.
Ailey Project UK Co-ordinator, Samina Beckford explains:
‘During the 4-day intensive the young dancers can look forward to world class training in techniques such as Ballet, Horton, West African, Jazz, Limón and Contemporary, with all accommodation and catering provided by Dance Consortium. They will also be learning movement from some of the companies most famous work and on the final day they will get to experience a mock audition for the Ailey School in New York City!’
As an addition to our already established Learning and Participation programme, The Ailey Project UK aims to extend and deepen the connection with the company. Aside from regular touring of AAADT and Ailey II, this exciting partnership not only creates a varied programme of high-quality engagement work that supports the development of the Black Dance sector in the UK, but also enables Dance Consortium member venues to have more meaningful links with their local black led dance groups, both as participants and audience members.
For more information about our summer intensive and general Ailey Project UK updates please follow Dance Consortium’s social channels and for further information or to get involved in future programmes, contact samina.beckford@danceconsortium.com
