In this rousing behind-the-scenes look at one of America's oldest modern dance companies, award-winning filmmaker Phil Bertelsen shines a spotlight on the Alvin Ailey Dance theater as it finds a new place to call home. Following this group of extraordinary dancers and brilliant choreographers, BEYOND THE STEPS captures every bit of passion, talent, and hard work that goes into keeping modern dance relevant and a legacy alive. As a revolutionary new dance center goes up behind them, the troupe moves from rehearsal to a road trip to St. Petersburg and back. The dancers' individual tragedies and triumphs intertwine with breathtaking performance footage to give a rare and revealing glimpse behind the curtain and into the world of modern dance.

Phil Bertelsen's first feature-length drama, Rock the Paint premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, winning the Creative Promise Award in 2005. Additionally, he produced the Peabody Award winning, CHISHOLM '72- Unbought and Unbossed. His first film, Around the Time, was a drama honored with several awards, including a Student Academy Award®. His next film, The Sunshine also won numerous festival awards including a Director's Guild East Award and is part of the Docurama Full Frame Documentary Shorts Collection Vol. I. Bertelsen has an MFA in Film from New York University and a BA in Political Science from Rutgers University in his native New Jersey.