Alvin Ailey

The Handbook of Texas follows Alvin Ailey's choices about who danced. His teacher Lester Horton led a Los Angeles company believed to be the first racially integrated in the United States. Until 1963 Ailey's own company was all Black. When he integrated it, some Black Americans criticized him, and in 1973 he answered that an all-Black company would be like saying only French people should do Racine or Molière. In 1970 the troupe became the first American modern-dance company to tour the Soviet Union since Isadora Duncan, winning a twenty-three-minute ovation in Leningrad.

What the plaque says

Alvin Ailey Revered as a pioneer in modern dance, Alvin Ailey was an internationally-recognized choreographer credited for incorporating African American movements into 20th century concert dance. Ailey was born in Rogers, a small rural community in eastern Bell County, to Lula Elizabeth Cliff (1912-1944) and Alvin Ailey, Sr. (1911-1974). While still an infant, Alvin's parents separated. Growing up in Rogers and other small towns in Texas, Ailey was influenced by church services, music and movement in the black community. Searching for employment, Lula and Alvin moved to Los Angeles in 1942. There were many opportunities for Alvin to expand and foster his creative gifts. In high school, Alvin met modern dance teacher Lester Horton. At Lester Horton Studios, Alvin developed his craft and gained confidence. After Lester died suddenly in 1953, Alvin took over the company and moved it to New York City. He danced and acted in several Broadway plays and musicals and two motion pictures. In 1958, Ailey created Blues Suite, which became his first masterpiece. He followed with the equally moving ballet, Revelations, in 1960. Both works drew upon his childhood and represented African American traditions, struggles, values and joys. Throughout his career, Ailey earned many awards and garnered significant firsts. Ailey's dance company, educational centers and scholarships helped sustain black concert dance in the twentieth century while his ballets facilitated an appreciation for Black culture in music and literature. (2013)

Where it stands

Worth the stop nearby

• Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum — 13 mi
  The Santa Fe depot of 1911 in a railroad town that began in 1880 as a construction camp, now a museum with locomotives and cars parked beside the active rail yard.
• Milam County Courthouse and Jail — 16 mi
  Cameron's 1892 Renaissance Revival courthouse and the 1895 St. Louis-built jail beside it, now the county museum, are listed together on the National Register.
• Williamson County Courthouse — 34 mi
  The fifth Williamson County courthouse, a Beaux Arts building by C. H. Page, rises over a Georgetown square of more than 50 Victorian-era buildings.

More markers nearby

• Joseph "Joe Tex" Arrington, Jr. — steps away
• First United Methodist Church of Rogers — steps away
• Bryant Station — 2.9 mi
• County Line Baptist Church — 3.7 mi