Books on the Move Brings Alvin Ailey Story to Life in Atlantic City
NJPAC’s acclaimed Books on the Move program will expand to Atlantic City during the Prudential North to Shore Festival, presenting a special performance at St. James AME Church on June 14, 2025, at 3:30 PM. Led by educator and artist Wincey Terry, this innovative literacy initiative will showcase Atlantic City second-graders bringing Andrea Davis Pinkney’s celebrated children’s book about legendary dancer Alvin Ailey to life through movement and storytelling.
The public performance represents the expansion of an educational program that has already inspired children across Essex, Hudson, Passaic, and Union counties. The Atlantic City presentation offers spectators the opportunity to witness how young performers transform traditional literature into dynamic, multi-sensory experiences that celebrate artists of color while developing crucial literacy and performance skills.

Innovative Approach Blends Literature and Movement
Books on the Move stands out for its unique methodology that combines reading comprehension with physical expression, teaching children to embody stories rather than simply reading them. For this special performance, Atlantic City elementary students will interpret Andrea Davis Pinkney’s biography of Alvin Ailey, the influential dancer and choreographer who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and revolutionized modern dance in America.
“During this public performance, watch as Atlantic City second-graders bring Andrea Davis Pinkney’s celebrated children’s book, Alvin Ailey, to life,” explains the event description. “The atmosphere crackles with energy as students take on the role of storyteller, using movement and their voices to offer their own authentic interpretations of the story of this dance icon.”
This approach to literature creates multiple levels of engagement for the young participants, deepening their understanding of both the textual material and the cultural significance of Ailey’s contributions to American arts. The selection of Ailey’s biography has particular relevance given the revolutionary impact of his work in showcasing Black artistry through dance, according to New Jersey Stage.
Program Expansion Represents Educational Commitment
The Atlantic City performance marks significant growth for the Books on the Move program, which has built a strong reputation in northern New Jersey counties but is now extending its reach to southern regions of the state. This expansion aligns with both NJPAC’s community engagement mission and the North to Shore Festival’s goal of distributing cultural resources across multiple New Jersey communities.
“Books on the Move has captivated children across Essex, Hudson, Passaic and Union counties with its unique approach to literacy and artistic expression. Now, children and families in Atlantic City get a chance to enjoy these inspirational events,” notes the program description, highlighting this geographic expansion as a major development for the initiative.
The program’s growth reflects NJPAC’s comprehensive approach to arts education, which extends far beyond performances at its Newark campus to include outreach programs serving diverse communities throughout New Jersey. According to Patch, such educational initiatives form a critical component of the festival’s community engagement strategy.
Historic Venue Enhances Cultural Connection
The selection of St. James AME Church as the performance venue adds historical and cultural significance to the event. Founded in 1850, St. James is one of Atlantic City’s oldest African American churches and has long served as both a spiritual center and a hub for community activities and cultural preservation.
Located at 101 North New York Avenue, the church sits in the heart of Atlantic City, making the performance accessible to community members while connecting it to the city’s cultural heritage. This setting creates meaningful resonance with the subject matter of the performance, as Alvin Ailey’s work was deeply informed by African American spiritual traditions and cultural expressions.
The use of this historic space for a performance centered on young people interpreting Black cultural history creates a powerful intergenerational connection, linking contemporary educational efforts with longstanding traditions of community cultural engagement. This alignment exemplifies the North to Shore Festival’s approach to programming that honors heritage while focusing on future development.
Leadership Brings Educational Expertise
The Books on the Move program is led by Wincey Terry, an acclaimed educator and artist whose experience bridges academic and artistic disciplines. Terry’s leadership brings both pedagogical expertise and artistic sensibility to the initiative, ensuring that it maintains high standards in both educational content and performance quality.
This professional guidance is essential for preparing young performers who may have limited previous experience with public presentation. Terry’s methodology creates a supportive environment that empowers children to express themselves confidently while developing important literacy and performance skills.
The result is not simply an entertaining performance but a demonstration of educational methodology in action. Attendees will witness how this approach transforms traditional reading comprehension exercises into dynamic, embodied learning experiences that engage multiple forms of intelligence and self-expression, according to The Montclair Girl.

Celebrating Artists of Color Through Youth Voices
Beyond its educational benefits, the Books on the Move program serves an important cultural function by introducing young people to significant figures in African American artistic history. By focusing on Alvin Ailey’s biography, the performance connects participants and audience members to an artist whose work transformed American dance while expressing distinctly Black cultural experiences.
This focus aligns with broader currents in contemporary education that emphasize the importance of diverse representation in learning materials. By selecting texts that highlight the achievements of artists of color, the program ensures that children encounter role models whose experiences may reflect their own cultural backgrounds.
The performance also demonstrates how stories can transcend the printed page to create immersive, embodied experiences. This transformation illustrates literature’s potential to inspire multiple forms of creative expression, fostering appreciation for both literary and performing arts among young participants and audience members alike.
Those interested in learning more about upcoming Books on the Move programming are encouraged to attend this special performance, which will include information about future educational initiatives in Atlantic City and beyond. The event is free and open to the public, though seating may be limited.