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Judith Jamison
Choreographer

Judith Jamison

Famoose for

Making Cry a signature performance and leading Alvin Ailey’s company.

Cry · Sophisticated Ladies

Born
10 May 1943
Birthplace
Philadelphia, United States
Died
9 November 2024

More people

Joseph PulitzerBuilding influential newspapers and endowing the Pulitzer Prizes.Conan O’BrienHosting late-night television with absurd sketches and self-deprecating humour.Fred AstaireMaking dance central to Hollywood musicals, especially with Ginger Rogers.

Judith Jamison

Judith Jamison was an American dancer and choreographer whose expressive presence shaped modern dance.

Early life

Philadelphia

Began formal dance training as a child.

Studies

Attended Fisk University and the Philadelphia Dance Academy.

Career

  1. 1965

    Ailey company

    Joined Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

  2. 1970s–1980s

    Leading performer

    Toured internationally and performed on Broadway.

  3. 1989–2011

    Artistic director

    Led the Ailey company after its founder’s death.

Selected work

Cry

Premiered Ailey’s demanding solo.

Sophisticated Ladies

Performed in the Duke Ellington musical on Broadway.

Divining

Created her first major choreographic work for the company.

Beyond work

Memoir

Published Dancing Spirit.

Mentorship

Supported later generations of dancers and choreographers.

Sources & photo creditLife, career and references ↗Broadway performance record ↗

Photo: Elon University. CC BY 2.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.