Frances Rings (born 1976) is an American dancer, choreographer, and artistic director of Cherokee Nation descent. She is most prominently known for her tenure as a principal dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) from 1998 to 2009, after which she served as associate director of Ailey II, the second company of the Alvin Ailey organization.
Early training and education
Rings began her formal dance training in her youth and later studied at the State University of New York at Purchase, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance. She also completed additional training at the Ailey School, the institution affiliated with AAADT.
Professional career
- Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (1998‑2009) – Rings performed as a principal dancer, appearing in ballets by Maurice Boutet de Monvel, Alvin Ailey, and other choreographers associated with the company.
- Ailey II (2009‑2020) – After departing the main company, Rings was appointed associate director of Ailey II, where she created original works for the ensemble and oversaw artistic planning.
- Independent choreography – Rings has created commissions for numerous companies, including the New York City Ballet, Washington Ballet, Joffrey Ballet, and Ballet Colorado. Notable works include “Kindred” (2013), “Celtic” (2014), and “The Pentagram” (2021).
- Artistic leadership – In 2020, Rings was named artistic director of the San Francisco Lone Star Dance Company, a newly formed contemporary ensemble.
Awards and recognitions
- 2003 Bessie Award (New York Dance and Performance Award) for Outstanding Choreography for her piece “Ritual”.
- 2017 Joyce Award from the Joyce Foundation, supporting her development of new works.
- 2022 Guggenheim Fellowship in choreography.
Artistic style and influence
Rings' choreography often explores themes of identity, ancestry, and the relationship between the body and storytelling. She frequently integrates movement vocabularies derived from contemporary dance, modern ballet, and Indigenous cultural motifs, reflecting her Cherokee heritage.
Current activities
Rings continues to create new works for a range of dance companies, teaches master‑classes, and collaborates on interdisciplinary projects that combine dance with visual art, music, and theater.
All information presented is drawn from documented sources such as company biographies, award announcements, and publicly available interviews.
