by Kandiss Edwards
December 14, 2025
Mack's vision for the future is ambitious. His plans to appeal to contemporary audiences also include integrating mainstream musicians.
The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrated its inaugural season on December 3rd. The newly appointed artistic director Alicia Graf Mack took over the management.
Count Mack was named artistic director in 2025, becoming only the fourth person to lead the company since its founding in 1958 by choreographer Alvin Ailey. Her appointment followed Robert Battle's tenure and came after years of working directly with the organization as both a dancer and educator. Count Mack previously performed with the company and later served as dean and director of dance at the Juilliard School before returning to Ailey in a senior role. In an interview with Inc. Mack defines her leadership as both personal and mission-oriented.
“Working here is more than a job. It's part of who I am and what I believe in. So I'm not just here to put in my hours. I give it my all,” she said.
As a director and alumnus who studied with the last two directors, Judith Jamison and Battle, she honors the founding philosophy while adapting to contemporary audiences and platforms.
“Dance came from the people and should always be given back to the people,” Ailey told the outlet.
Your vision for the future is ambitious. Plans to appeal to contemporary audiences also include integrating mainstream musicians into the future.
“We need to create cross-industry collaborations, such as in music, to also reach more people,” she said, describing how the organization plans to engage audiences beyond traditional concert events.
Graf Mack's appointment signals a new phase focused on strategic growth rather than reinvention. The company plans to focus on digital reach, partnerships and storytelling that strengthen the Ailey brand while staying true to its cultural roots.
Founded in New York City, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has long been known for centering Black cultural expression in modern dance. The company toured internationally as ambassadors of American art. Count Mack's return to the company places that legacy in the hands of a leader informed by both his past and his evolving future.
RELATED CONTENT: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Names Alicia Graf Mack Artistic Director