Tavis Smiley Season 8 Episode 171 Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, Alicia Graf Mack

This episode of Tavis Smiley features a discussion with three prominent figures in the world of dance - Judith Jamison, Robert Battle, and Alicia Graf Mack. Jamison is a legendary dancer and choreographer who served as artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for many years. Battle is her successor in that role, having joined the company as a dancer in the late 90s and worked his way up through the ranks. Mack is a former principal dancer with the company who now serves as the director of dance at the Juilliard School in New York City.

The conversation begins with a discussion about the legacy of Alvin Ailey, the founder of the dance company that bears his name. Jamison talks about the experience of working with Ailey early in her career and describes him as a mentor and father figure. She explains his vision for the company, which sought to incorporate elements of African American culture and history into modern dance. Battle notes that Ailey's work was particularly groundbreaking during the civil rights era, when it was rare to see black dancers on stage in major productions.

The conversation then shifts to the topic of leadership, as Jamison and Battle discuss their respective tenures as artistic directors of the company. Jamison describes the challenges she faced when she first took over in the 1980s, including a lack of funding and difficulty recruiting dancers. She also talks about her approach to programming, which involved commissioning new works from both established and emerging choreographers. Battle discusses some of the changes he has made since taking over from Jamison, including a renewed focus on storytelling and a commitment to showcasing the diversity of the company's dancers.

Mack joins the conversation and talks about her own experiences with the company, both as a dancer and as a choreographer. She describes the process of creating new work and the importance of collaboration between dancers and choreographers. She also talks about the challenges of balancing her work at Juilliard with her continued involvement with the Ailey company.

The conversation wraps up with a discussion about the future of dance and the role that the Ailey company can play in shaping that future. Jamison notes that there is still work to be done in terms of promoting diversity and inclusion in the dance world, and that the company must continue to take risks in its programming in order to stay relevant. Battle talks about his own vision for the company, which involves using technology to enhance the audience experience and reaching out to new and diverse audiences. Mack expresses her belief in the power of dance to bring people together and effect social change.

Overall, this episode of Tavis Smiley offers a fascinating look at the world of dance and the legacy of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The discussion is insightful and engaging, with all three guests offering unique perspectives and valuable insights. Whether you are a dancer yourself or simply a fan of the art form, this episode is well worth watching.