Alicia Graf Mack is a dancer, educator, and Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. She grew up in Maryland, obsessed with movement, music, and storytelling, and turned that childhood passion into a life spent on stages, in studios, and now in leadership.
Tell us a little about yourself!
Dance has taken me all over the world and taught me how powerful the body can be as a tool for expression, connection, and change. I’m also a wife and an active mother of two, which means my days are a constant (and joyful) balance of creativity, caretaking, and choreography of a very different kind. I believe deeply in honoring legacy while making space for what’s next, and I try to bring that same balance of strength, elegance, and authenticity into everything I do.
When, and how, did you begin dancing?
I believe that I am made to move. It is written in my DNA. My parents recognized from the tender age of two and a half that I loved to dance and play, and that I could imitate movement with ease. What began as pure joy quickly became a dream. I was determined to become a ballerina. I pursued dance with complete dedication and curiosity, allowing movement to guide me toward who I am today. Every childhood memory and reflection of myself includes dance as part of my identity.
“Every childhood memory and reflection of myself includes dance as part of my identity.”
When did you decide to pursue dancing professionally?
Dance had already been part of my life since my toddler days, but I officially chose it as my profession when I was eleven. That’s when I met my coach, Donna Pidel, who helped sharpen my focus, guide my practice, and open doors to the professional dance world. By thirteen, my summers were spent training at prestigious schools in New York City and jetting off to international ballet competitions. And even then, while I was deeply immersed in classical ballet, I knew that one day I wanted to make the transition into modern dance to chase another big dream—dancing for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. After several years performing with Dance Theatre of Harlem and other ballet-oriented companies, that dream became reality when I joined AILEY in 2005, under the direction of the incomparable Judith Jamison.
What does education mean to you and how has it influenced your work?
Education has always been central to who I am. I’m the daughter of a professor, so excelling in academia was not only encouraged, it was paramount to my success. I genuinely loved learning and found excitement in educational spaces rooted in research, innovation, and exploration. That passion shaped my path just as much as dance did. In fact, I built a career in higher education alongside my performing career so I could share the experiences I gained in the field with my students, help them see what’s possible, and inspire the next generation of artists and leaders.
Can you give us a brief day-in-the-life description of what you might do during one of your work days?
No two days of my life look the same, which is exactly how I like it. On any given day, I might start by leading a company ballet class, then move straight into coaching dancers in rehearsal (often quite literally on my toes). From there, I shift into meetings, working with our Board, collaborating with our development team to build support and visibility for the company, or jumping into press and marketing interviews and filmings. I’m also constantly curating repertory and shaping programs for our global tours. But my favorite moment of the day always comes when I get to sit in the audience and witness the magic of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and feel that electric exchange of energy between the dancers and the audience. There is truly nothing like it.
How has it impacted your life to be able to work in such storied environments like Juilliard and Alvin Ailey?
Working in storied environments like The Juilliard School and AILEY has profoundly shaped my life and my sense of purpose. Tradition and legacy have always been central to my trajectory. They remind me that none of us arrive where we are alone, and that the work we do is built on the vision, sacrifice, and brilliance of those who came before us. I feel deeply blessed to serve as a steward of these historic institutions, entrusted with honoring their foundations while helping them evolve.
What was it like to dance on-set with Marcella?
Dancing on set with Marcella was such a blast. I loved trying on the pieces and seeing how they moved with me. I’m always looking for clothes that are as flexible as my days need to be, and it feels amazing to wear designs that feel polished and powerful.
What role does style play in the work you do?
Style and aesthetic play a huge role in the work I do. To me, style is everything. It’s the embodiment of one’s truth and identity. I aim to present myself in the most authentic way possible, because how I show up matters. My clothing has to match my mindset: intentional, streamlined, and courageous. When what I wear aligns with how I feel and what I’m leading, it becomes another form of expression, one that supports both movement and purpose.
What is your favorite piece from your Marcella Capsule?
My favorite piece from the Marcella capsule is the khaki trench (Crosstown). It’s timeless, versatile, and incredibly functional. I can already tell it’s going to become my go-to jacket as I tour around the globe with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
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