This is Love Cry
Nov 19, 2025
Nasha Thomas, a former dancer from the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and current Ailey dancer Constance D'Amatiou dive into the intense ballet 'Cry.' Nasha shares vivid rehearsal memories and the emotional weight of performing it, while Constance discusses the physical toll it takes on dancers. They break down the choreography's challenging sections, revealing deep connections to Alvin Ailey's childhood and inspirations. Touching on the legacy of Judith Jamison and the impact of performing 'Cry' at Ailey's funeral, they explore how this piece continues to resonate.
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Judith Jamison’s Debut Transforming Performance
- Judith Jamison debuted Cry in 1971 and performed it with a heavy white cloth representing many burdens.
- The first performance left her legs numb and the audience cheering for almost ten minutes.
Symbolism Of The White Cloth
- The white cloth in Cry compresses multiple meanings: slavery, a child, a rag, a crown, and a burden.
- Alvin Ailey intended the cloth to symbolize the weight Black women carry across generations.
Ailey’s Childhood Memory Became Cry
- Alvin Ailey grew up watching his mother scrub houses and sometimes carry him while picking cotton.
- He said the image of his mother on her knees scrubbing is directly in his ballet Cry.
