Skip to content
Members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Speeds by Jennifer Muller

Repertory

Speeds

COMPANIES

CHOREOGRAPHER

COMPANY PREMIERE

New York City Center, 1985

WORLD PREMIERE

Jennifer Muller / The Works, 1974

MUSIC

Original Score by Burt Alcantara

COSTUMES

Susan Hilferty and Jennifer Muller

REHEARSAL DIRECTORS

Angeline Wolf and Christopher Pilafian

LIGHTING

Timothy Hunter

Based on contrasts of velocities and dynamics, Speeds is notable for its celebratory spirit and virtuosic dancing. Accompanied by churning, rollicking music by Burt Alcantara, the dancers negotiate space with happy abandon, all while honoring pronounced shifts in dynamics. 

“Speeds expresses the sheer joy of dancing. Juxtaposing various combinations of dynamics and speeds of movement, it is a work of energy and virtuosity.”  
– Jennifer Muller

Members of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Speeds by Jennifer Muller

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in Jennifer Muller's Speeds Photo by Jack Mitchell. (©) Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and Smithsonian Institution

One man leaps into the air in the splits and another lunges to one side.

Ralph Glenmore and Masazumi Chaya in Jennifer Muller's Speeds Photo by Jack Mitchell. (©) Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and Smithsonian Institution

A woman high kicks away from a man lifting another woman up in the air.

Debora Chase, Gary DeLoatch, and Deborah Manning in Jennifer Muller's Speeds Photo by Jack Mitchell. (©) Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and Smithsonian Institution