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Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing

"r-Evolution, A Dream", an Alivn Ailey piece created by veteran company member Hope Boykin, transports the audience as most Ailey productions do. Inspired by the sermons and speeches of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Boykin took to the National Center for Civil and Human Rights in Atlanta during Ailey’s annual U.S. tour. From there birthed a magnificent large ensemble of Ailey dancers and Ailey II members, and melds creative storytelling, new music composed by Ali Jackson (Jazz at Lincoln Center), and historic and original writings narrated by Tony Award winner and Hamilton's own Leslie Odom, Jr. Take a sneak peak in these exclusive to ESSENCE pics!    
By Joslyn Winkfield ·
01
r-Evolution, Dream.
AAADT’s Hope Boykin taking a break backstage before rehearsal.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
02
r-Evolution, Dream.

Hope Boykin chats with a dancer Rachael McLaren backstage during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.

Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
03
r-Evolution, Dream.

AAADT’s Hope Boykin showing the beautiful white costume she designed for her work.

Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
04
r-Evolution, Dream.

Megan Jakel and Hope Boykin prepare backstage during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.

Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
05
r-Evolution, Dream.
Dancers rehearse for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
06
r-Evolution, Dream.
AAADT’s Akua Noni Parker and Ailey II’s Jessica Amber Pinkett fly across the stage during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
07
r-Evolution, Dream.
Dancers leap high during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
08
r-Evolution, Dream.
Dancers full of poise and grace during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
09
r-Evolution, Dream.

Linda Celeste Sims and Vernard Gilmore during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.

Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
10
r-Evolution, Dream.
AAADT’s Jamar Roberts during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
https://www.essence.com/celebrity/john-legend-chrissy-teigen-fertility-struggles
11
r-Evolution, Dream.
Ailey II’s Jacoby Pruit, AAADT’s Daniel Harder, Ailey II’s Lloyd Boyd III, and AAADT’s Renaldo Maurice during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
12
r-Evolution, Dream.
AAADT’s Sarah Daley and Jamar Roberts perform during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
13
r-Evolution, Dream.
AAADT’s Renaldo Maurice during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
14
r-Evolution, Dream.
AAADT’s Jeroboam Bozeman during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
15
r-Evolution, Dream.

AAADT’s Megan Jakel during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.

Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
16
r-Evolution, Dream.
AAADT’s Linda Celeste Sims and Jacquelin Harris during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
17
r-Evolution, Dream.
Dancers rehearse for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
18
r-Evolution, Dream.
Sarah Daley performs during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
19
r-Evolution, Dream.
AAADT’s Akua Noni Parker and Ailey II’s Jessica Amber Pinkett fly perform during rehearsals for Hope Boykin’s r-Evolution, Dream.
Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing
20
r-Evolution, Dream.

Matthew Rushing in a powerful moment on stage.

 

And that’s wrap! Buy tickets here.

Take A Jaw-Dropping, Behind The Scenes Look At These Alvin Ailey Dancers Rehearsing
Kathryn Wirsing