Ailey's Sharon Gersten Luckman will step down

Sharon Gersten Luckman. Photo by Paul Kolnik

The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater announced today that longtime Executive Director, Sharon Gersten Luckman, will step down in 2013 to pursue new endeavors. 

Joining the Ailey organization in 1992 as Director of Development, Luckman assumed the role of Executive Director in 1995. Under her leadership, the organization has enjoyed unprecedented advancement in all aspects of its operations--from its world-renowned performance troupe, now under the artistic direction of choreographer Robert Battle, to its extensive dance training and community programs, and the opening of its state-of-the-art headquarters, The Joan Weill Center for Dance, in 2005.

“I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to work side by side with the superb staff and brilliant dancers of the Ailey organization, with two magnificent Artistic Directors, Judith Jamison and Robert Battle, with our wonderful Associate Artistic Director Masazumi Chaya, and with a deeply dedicated Board of Trustees under the invaluable leadership of Joan Weill,” Sharon Luckman stated. “At Ailey, we often speak of ourselves as a family. I am very proud of what my family has accomplished over these past decades—and although I will now be moving on to other endeavors, I know I will always feel I’m a part of Ailey.”

In consultation with Luckman, the Board of Trustees will begin an international search for a successor to be named in early 2013.