Jamar Roberts has spent 18 years as a standout dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Now as he becomes the resident choreographer, he says he continues to give it his all.

What You Need To Know

  • Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater returned to City Center Dec. 1 after missing last season because of the pandemic

  • After 18 years as a standout dancer, Jamar Roberts is transitioning to a new role as resident choreographer, and he's already choreographed many works to rave reviews 

  • Roberts' most recent works respond to the pandemic, quarantine and racial justice 

  • Roberts says everything he does creatively at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater starts with thinking about legendary founder Alvin Ailey and how Roberts can create work that is in line with Ailey's vision and mission 

 "I think dance is an act of generosity. To choreograph, to make anything, you're not making it for yourself. You're not making it at home and then staring at it alone. It's to be given to other people. I'm just thinking about how much information I can give these dancers about the actual steps the themes of the piece the texture, how much can I give and I just want to give everything," said Roberts at a recent rehearsal.

And it's paying off with rave reviews for two of his works. The Washington Heights resident created "Holding Space" during the pandemic for film, and Alvin Ailey dancers are performing it on stage for a live audience this season.  He also created COOPED for the Guggenheim. The pieces focus on the pandemic, the quarantine and racial inequality. "I never really set out to make any work that has anything to do with what's happening in the world directly, it just happens because I'm in the world. We're all in the world," said Roberts.

Roberts is also choreographing a new solo work for himself to dance Dec. 9, his final night performing with the company. But he won't give any hints about that or other projects: "If I say anything without knowing much, then I break the spell," he said with a laugh.

For dancers like Miranda Quinn, it's an inspiration to see a dancer make a splash so quickly as a choreographer. And dancing this piece makes the season feel like a true comeback. "A lot of the Ailey rep is very story driven. And this piece, Holding Space, is no exception being created basically while still in the pandemic, we couldn't touch each other or stand near each other.  It was a very cathartic and still is very cathartic to perform," said Quinn.

And even though Roberts is superstitious about sharing his ideas, ecerything begins with company founder Alvin Ailey.

"In every piece that I do, I have to consider his vision, that it feels like it has weight and it sits in line with what this company is about," said Roberts. "I think it's about giving. Yeah, totally 100% that's what we do. All the time that's what these performances are. We're giving people all we've got, and we love to do that work and I think that's what make dancers and artists special.

And this season will be extra special as Roberts gives as a dancer and choreographer. The season runs through Dec. 19.