Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Performance Dataset, 1958-1989

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Performance Dataset, 1958-89, was developed to support the Radical Accounting project, which explores the transmission of dance knowledge and the historical growth of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) from a small touring company to a global institution. The dataset, curated by Kate Elswit and Harmony Bench, comprises detailed records of 4,143 performances in 505 cities across 66 countries, compiled and verified using over 30,000 archival documents and personal materials. It highlights previously underdocumented venues and events, foregrounds the collective histories of dance artists, and aims for accuracy through extensive archival research and consultation with company legacy holders.
Commissioned for the Whitney Museum's "Edges of Ailey" exhibition, the dataset excludes related troupes and solo performances not billed as AAADT, instead focusing on public performances, repertory, and venues connected directly to AAADT between 1958 and 1989.
The accompanying user guide clarifies curation decisions and explains the relational structure of the data to support robust historical research.