“Unbelievable. Go see Ailey. It’s change-your-life good.”
— NBC’S Today Show
As the most frequently appearing dance ensemble in Carolina Performing Arts’ history, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returns to the Memorial Hall stage. Under the visionary leadership of new artistic director Alicia Graf Mack, the company steps boldly into its next chapter, carrying forward the indelible spirit of Alvin Ailey himself. Expect classic works from the Ailey repertoire that have inspired and uplifted fans for decades— including Revelations, anthem of resilience and joy. The company will also bring new works by contemporary choreographers that propel dance in exhilarating directions.
Event Details
- Runtime: TBA
- Intermission: TBA
- Additional information: visit our FAQ page
- Late seating policy: limited late seating is available
Ticket & Discount Information
Tickets available starting at $39. Student tickets always $11. Eligible for CLE Credit.
Discount Information
We offer several discounts for CPA series performances only. Partner and rental events are not eligible.
Important Notes:
- Discounts must be applied at the time of purchase and cannot be added retroactively.
- Only one discount can be used per order.
- We reserve the right to cancel tickets that do not follow these guidelines
Available Discounts:
Military & First Responders
- Discount: 15% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
- How to redeem: Use promo code SERVICE2526 online or call our box office
Seniors (65+)
- Discount: 15% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
- ID Required: Yes
- How to redeem: Use promo code SENIOR2526 online or call our box office
UNC-Chapel Hill Faculty & Staff
- Discount: 25% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
- ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC One Card)
- How to redeem:
- Current faculty/staff: Use promo code UNCFS2526
- Retired faculty/staff: Use promo code UNCRET2526
UNC Health Staff
- Discount: 25% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per person, per performance
- ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC Health ID)
- How to redeem: Use promo code UNCFS2526 online or call our box office
UNC-Chapel Hill Students
- Discount: $11 tickets (Zones 3, 4, and 5)
- Limit: 2 tickets per student, per performance
- ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC Student ID)
- How to redeem: Use promo code UNCST2526 online and select price type “UNC Student,” or call our box office
Non-UNC Students (K-College, Statewide)
- Discount: $11 tickets (Zones 3, 4, and 5)
- Limit: 2 tickets per student, per performance
- ID Required at Entry: Yes (UNC Student ID)
- How to redeem: Use promo code UNCST2526 online and select price type “UNC Student,” or call our box office
Carolina Alumni Members
- Discount: 15% off
- Limit: 4 tickets per order
- How to redeem: Use promo code GAA2526 online or call our box office
Watch our video on applying discount codes when checking out!
Visit our FAQ page for more details.
Why We’re Presenting This
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is an artistic partnership that has roots to the founding of Carolina Performing Arts, and their performance is a beloved tradition. With 30 performances in 20 seasons to exuberant audiences at Memorial Hall, their artistry is a testament to their enduring impact and the passionate response it inspires across generations.
About the Company
Founded by Alvin Ailey on March 30, 1958, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater is one of the most acclaimed dance companies in the world. With a repertory that boasts close to 300 works by more than 100 choreographers, it has performed in more than 70 countries on six continents and has been designated a “vital American Cultural Ambassador to the world” by a US Congressional resolution. Forged during a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater was established to uplift the African American experience while transcending boundaries of race, faith, and nationality with its universal humanity. Mr. Ailey invited dancers of all backgrounds to be a part of his vision while reimagining his company as a “library of dance,” a home for a wide range of choreographers’ works that might otherwise be lost. Before his untimely death in 1989, Mr. Ailey named Judith Jamison as his successor, and for 21 years she brought the company to unprecedented success before appointing Robert Battle to steward the company from 2011–2023. In 2025, Alicia Graf Mack became the organization’s fourth artistic director. A former Ailey dancer under both Ms. Jamison and Mr. Battle and a former dean and director of the Dance Division at the Juilliard School, Ms. Graf Mack brings her passion for dance and dance education to the continuation of the Ailey tradition. Today, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continues to bring joy to audiences around the globe, while expanding its repertory with works by new choreographers and upholding Mr. Ailey’s legacy for future generations. Learn more at ailey.org.
About Alvin Ailey
Alvin Ailey was born on January 5, 1931, in Rogers, Texas. His experiences of life in the rural South would later inspire some of his most memorable works. Mr. Ailey was introduced to dance in Los Angeles by performances of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and the Katherine Dunham Dance Company, and his formal dance training began with an introduction to Lester Horton’s classes by his friend Carmen de Lavallade. Horton, the founder of one of the first racially- integrated dance companies in the United States, became a mentor for Mr. Ailey as he embarked on his professional career. After Horton’s death in 1953, Mr. Ailey became director of the Lester Horton Dance Theater and began to choreograph his own works. In the 1950s and 60s, Mr. Ailey performed in four Broadway shows, including House of Flowers and Jamaica.
Go further
Want to peek behind the curtain? Dive deeper into the world of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and their sheer elegance and athleticism.
Learn:
Portrait of Ailey
Explore the legacy of Alvin Ailey through rare archival footage, powerful interviews, and historic images—a moving portrait of the artist and his groundbreaking vision
Watch:
In 2023, Carolina Performing Arts partnered with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Men’s Basketball team to launch a new collaborative initiative: “Artists Are Athletes / Athletes Are Artists.” This campaign celebrates the combination of athletic and artistic prowess found on Carolina’s campus and across the globe, featuring Ailey’s own Michael Jackson, Jr.
Want to see more performances?
Check out the full lineup for the 2025-2026 CPA Season, and discover more incredible shows!