WESTPORT–The Westport Country Playhouse will present “Ailey II: The Next Generation of Dance,” on Thursday, Sept. 24, at 7 p.m. 

Ailey II, the second company of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, is known for merging the talents of upcoming dancers and choreographers. 

“This season, Ailey II continues to embody the bold and fearless spirit of the next generation of dance while honoring the legacy that brought us here,” said Francesca Harper, Ailey II artistic director. “I am thrilled for audiences to experience the passion and artistry of these 12 extraordinary dancers.”

For the 2026-‘27 touring season, Ailey II welcomes back dancers Kamani Abu, Jada Ammons, Christian Butts, Adanna Smalls, and Eric J. Vidaña—along with seven new dancers: Julie Colotroc, Daijia Monaé, Vic E. Davis, Jaydin Javier De Jesús, Michelle Osanya, Jalyn Postadan, and Dominic A. Roberts.

Ailey II’s repertory at the playhouse includes Artistic Director Francesca Harper’s “In the Moment,” a meditation on presence, transformation, and the impact of being truly seen; Ronald K. Brown and Arcell Cabuag’s “Open Door,” a work set to recordings by Arturo O’Farrill & the Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra; and Alvin Ailey’s “Night Creature,” a fusion of Ailey’s choreography and Duke Ellington’s music.

Founded in 1974 as a bridge between The Ailey School and the professional dance world, Ailey II embodies Alvin Ailey’s mission to establish a cultural community that provides dance performances, training, and community programs. Ailey II became one of the most popular dance companies in the country under the leadership of Sylvia Waters from 1974–2012. With artistic director Francesca Harper at the helm, Ailey II is forging a new path for modern dance—one that’s inclusive, experimental, and transformative. For more information, visit ailey.org/aileyii.

For performance details, visit here.

Westport Country Playhouse

25 Powers Court, Westport, Connecticut 06880

www.westportplayhouse.org

^{_{The Westport Country Playhouse is a non-profit that produces theater from playwrights, actors, directors, and designers of all backgrounds, while entertaining audiences and exploring human and societal issues along the way. Image Robert Benson.}}