THY-LAN ALCALAY is a French-American performer and creator from Brooklyn, New York. She began her training at The Ailey School and is a graduate of LaGuardia High School, MOVE|NYC|’s Young Professionals Program, and Springboard Danse. Thy-Lan is an alumna of Barnard College of Columbia University, where she received departmental honors in Dance and Architecture and a specialization in Spatial Design.

Throughout her training, she has performed repertory by Pina Bausch, Andrea Miller, A.I.M by Kyle Abraham, chuthis., KOMOCO, Welcome to Campfire, and VIMVIGOR. She has worked with companies including David Dorfman Dance, Graham II, NVA & Guests, Colleen Thomas Dance, BodySonnet, and Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup. She has been commissioned to choreograph dance-theater work as ALCALAY STUDIO for Stefanie Nelson Dance, WestFest All-Over, Arch Danse Ensemble, and the CoLab Choreographic Residency. She specializes in making site-specific work and dance films.

As an actress, she has guest-starred on Law & Order: SVU and appeared in campaigns for Target, AMEX, Bloomingdale’s, Facebook (DGA-nominated), Kiss Beauty, and Truth Initiative. Thy-Lan is a 2025 SND Next Gen Choreographic Winner, a recipient of the Robert and Carol Horne Dance Award, and LaGuardia High School Performance Award.

Beyond dance, Alcalay has designed for institutions such as NASA, Columbia Climate School, Barnard Theater Department, and Columbia University Irving Medical Center.

Film & TV

Marc Rutherford | Ruth Gravity Artists

Commercial & Print

Zack Smith | Stewart Talent