Wendy Fitzwilliam, Miss Universe 1998 and one of Trinidad and Tobago’s most distinguished public figures, has been confirmed as the official patron for the Alvin Ailey II Gala performance taking place on Tuesday 26 August at 8:00 p.m. at Queen’s Hall, St. Ann’s.
The event is one of the signature highlights of Amalgamation 2025, which features cultural exchange, professional development, and live performances, conceptualised and produced by Marisa Benain, founder and artistic director of Plié for the Arts. The Trinidad and Tobago edition is being presented in partnership with the National Dance Association of Trinidad and Tobago.
Fitzwilliam is expected to attend the Gala performance, lending her support to an evening that promises world-class artistry and a celebration of the enduring influence of Black modern dance. Alvin Ailey II, known globally for its technical excellence and emotional power, will present a curated selection of pieces from its celebrated repertoire, including Alvin Ailey’s masterpiece, Revelations.
“I am honoured and humbled to have been asked to provide my patronage to Plié for the Arts’ inaugural production in Trinidad and Tobago,” Fitzwilliam said. “Plié has done an exceptional job of introducing Jamaican audiences to the best of dance theatre globally, and in the spirit of CARICOM, brings Jamaica’s ‘one love’ to her twin sisters in the south, T&T. You don’t want to miss this.”
Reflecting on her personal connection to Alvin Ailey, she added, “When I lived in NYC, I religiously saw every production of the Alvin Ailey Theatre Company from October to December—sometimes twice!
Once to enjoy alone like a new lover, then with friends. I invite everyone, for one night only, to share my love of dance and this dance company’s excellence.”
In addition to her Miss Universe title, Wendy Fitzwilliam has built a wide-ranging career as a lawyer, broadcaster, and philanthropist. She is the founder of the Hibiscus Foundation, a former UN Goodwill
Ambassador for UNAIDS, and Host and Co-Executive Producer of CaribeNTM and The Wendy Fitzwilliam
Show. Her longstanding advocacy for youth, education, and cultural preservation has made her a
respected voice both locally and across the Caribbean.
In March 2024, she joined the Board of Directors of the University of the West Indies Development and
Endowment Fund (UWIDEF), contributing to the Fund’s efforts to expand scholarships and bursaries for
students at UWI, St. Augustine.
The Alvin Ailey II visit includes a range of activities geared toward dance development, including a free
professional workshop hosted in collaboration with The University of the West Indies on Monday 25
August. The initiative offers an important opportunity for dancers in Trinidad and Tobago to engage
directly with international instructors and deepen their practice.
Tickets for the Alvin Ailey II performances are available as follows:
● Matinee Performance (4:00 PM) – US$60
● Gala Performance (8:00 PM) – US$90
Tickets can be purchased at the Queen’s Hall Box Office or online via Plié for the Arts’ Instagram page
(@plieforthearts). For further information, email nda.tt.org@gmail.com.
