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Dallas Black Dance Theatre

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General information
Year founded1976; 48 years ago (1976)
Founding artistic directorAnn Williams
Location2700 Flora Street, Dallas, TX
Principal venueDee and Charles Wyly Theatre
Websitedbdt.org
Senior staff
Executive DirectorZenetta Drew
Other
Official schoolDallas Black Dance Academy

Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) is the oldest continuously operating dance company in Dallas, Texas.[1][2] For nearly half a century, DBDT has performed across the United States and around the world. In 2024, Dallas voters approved a $1.25 billion bond measure that includes an allocation of more than three million dollars to DBDT for the renovation and upgrade of their building in the Dallas Arts District.

History

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Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) was founded by Ann Williams in 1976.[1][3] Today, DBDT consists of a two, performing modern dance companies (DBDT and DBDT: Encore!)[3] and a dance school. The Dallas Black Dance Academy was founded in 1973,[4] and DBDT: Encore! (or DBDT II) was established in 2000.[4]

DBDT offers all company dancers a salary plus medical and dental coverage,[3] and is a member of The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD).[5] In 1993, 1997, 2000, 2008, 2014, and 2017, DBDT hosted the annual IABD annual conference.[5]

In 2024, DBDT received a three-year grant from the Mellon Foundation to support institutional capacity building.[6]

DBDT Building

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DBDT’s studios and offices are located at 2700 Flora Street, Dallas, a 32,000 square foot building that housed the former Moorland YMCA.[7][8][9][10] DBDT raised more than ten million dollars to purchase and renovate the building,[7] which includes four rehearsal studios, instruction classrooms, meeting rooms, and administrative offices.[11]

In 2003, a City of Dallas-approved bond referendum awarded $3,263,976 to DBDT for “the planning, design, construction and renovation of the former Moorland YMCA building as a multi-use dance rehearsal, instructional and administrative office facility."[12]

In 2014, the 2700 block of Flora Street was officially renamed Ann Williams Way[4] in honor of DBDT’s founder’s retirement.[13]

In 2024, the City of Dallas voters approved “Proposition E,” a $1.25 billion capital bond program that includes support for Dallas’ cultural and performing arts facilities.[14] As part of the proposition’s allocations, DBDT will receive $3,127,850[15] for improvements to its building's elevator, security and HVAC systems, as well as roof and flooring replacements.[3][2]

Performances and tours

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DBDT has performed for diverse audiences across the United States and around the world, including the following events.

  • 1992: Expo ’92, USA Pavilion, Seville, Spain[16][17]
  • 1996: Cultural Olympiad, Atlanta, Georgia, the first Texas arts organization to perform at an Olympic arts festival.[17]
  • 1997: Dance Women/Living Legends, New York City[17]
  • 1997: Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival[17]
  • 1998: South Africa[17]
  • 1998: Gershwin Centennial, Kennedy Center[17]
  • 2004: Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival[17]
  • 2005: Masters of African-American Choreography, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC[17]
  • 2006: Commissioning collaboration with Dallas Symphony Orchestra[17]
  • 2008: Nasher Sculpture Center, George Segal Seascapes Exhibit, Dallas[17]
  • 2012: Ailey Citigroup Theater, New York[18]
  • 2015: Dance X BZ Festival, Belize[19]
  • 2016: Masterworks Redefined, Ailey Citigroup Theater, New York[19]
  • 2021: Jacob’s Pillow, Becket, MA[20]
  • 2023: Aronoff Center for the Arts Jarson-Kaplan Theater, Cincinnati, OH.[21]

Repertoire

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DBDT performs a mixed repertory of modern, ballet, jazz, and ethnic work by nationally and internationally known choreographers,[21] including the following selections.

  • ...And Now Marvin (1994). Choreography: Darryl B. Sneed.[22]
  • Absolute Rule. Choreography: Elisa Monte.[18]
  • Above & Below (2016). Choreography: Nycole Ray[22]
  • A Precious Stone (2018). Choreography: Claude Alexander III and Sean J. Smith[22]
  • A Rag, A Bone, and a Hank of Hair (1991). Choreography: Talley Beatty[22]
  • A Tender Pardon (2019). Choreography: Claude Alexander III[22]
  • Awassa Astrige/Ostrich (1932). Choreography: Asadata Dafora[22]
  • Beams from Heaven (2010). Choreography: Christopher L. Huggins[22]
  • Bodies as Site of Faith and Protest (2016). Choreography: Tommie-Waheed Evans[22]
  • Bounce (2017). Choreography: Stephen Mills[22]
  • Boundless Journey. Choreography: Dianne McIntyre[18]
  • Essence (2005). Choreography: Christopher L. Huggins[22]
  • Execution of a Sentiment (2019). Choreography: Darrell Grand Moultrie[22]
  • Face what's facing you! (2018). Choreography: Claude Alexander III[22]
  • Furtherance (2016). Choreography: Kirven Douthit-Boyd[22]
  • How to Kill a Ghost (2014). Choreography: Juel D. Lane[22]
  • From Within (2019). Choreography: Nijawwon Matthews[22]
  • I AM LARGE (2020). Choreography: Joshua L. Peugh[22]
  • Inside the Absence of Fear. Choreography: Ray Mercer[18]
  • Instinct 11.1. Choreography: Francesca Harper[18]
  • in•ter•pret (2005). Choreography: Hope Boykin. Music: Tchaikovsky[18]
  • LIKE WATER. Choreography: Darrell Grand Moultrie[4]
  • Night Run (2003). Choreography: Christopher Huggins.[18]
  • ODETTA (2014). Choreography: Matthew Rushing][22]
  • ON.Toward.Press. (2020). Choreography: Hope Boykin[22]
  • Porgy and Bess (1998). Choreography: Hope Clarke[23]
  • RED. Choreography: Bruce Wood. Music: Phillip Glass.[19]
  • Reflections in D (1962). Choreography: Alvin Ailey Music: Duke Ellington[22]
  • The Edge of My Life...So Far. Choreography: Bruce Wood[18]
  • Undeviated Passage (2018). Choreography: Ray Mercer[22]
  • Vespers (1986). Choreography: Ulysses Dove[18]
  • What to Say? Notes on Echo and Narcissus (2015). Choreography: Jamal Story[22]

Leadership

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Artistic Directors

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  • Ann Williams (1976–2014)[13]
  • April Berry (2014–2015)[13][24]
  • Bridget L. Moore (2017–2018)[13]
  • Melissa Young (2018–2024)[13]

DBDT: Encore! (or DBDT II) directors

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  • Nycole Ray, artistic director, DBDT: Encore! (2012-)[25]

Dallas Black Dance Academy directors

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  • Katricia Eaglin, Academy Director[26]

Administrative Staff

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  • Zenetta Drew, executive director (1987-)[3][4]

Dancers and former dancers

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DBDT

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  • Claude Alexander III[20][27]
  • Carmen Cage[27]
  • Gillian Clifford( -2024)[3]
  • Hana Delong[27]
  • Katricia Eaglin (2005–2015)[26]
  • Richard A. Freeman Jr.[19]
  • Edmond Giles[19]
  • Sierra Noelle Jones[27]
  • Elijah Lancaster ( -2024)[3]
  • Xavier Mack[27]
  • Bianca Melidor[3][27]
  • Charles Michael Patterson[27]
  • Jessica Popoff[27]
  • Nycole Ray[19]
  • Terrell Rogers Jr. ( -2024)[3][27]
  • Nile Ruff ( -2024)[3]
  • Sean J. Smith (2010–2024)[3][27]
  • Darryl B. Sneed (-1997)[27]
  • Jamal Story[19]
  • Jamie Thompson[18]
  • De’Anthony Vaughan[27]
  • Isabel Wallace-Green[27]
  • McKinley Willis[27]
  • Melissa Young (1994–2005)[24]

DBDT: Encore! (or DBDT II)

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Awards and honors

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  • 2023—Best of Leadership Award, Dance Data Project’s Gender Equity Index, an index that measures a ballet or dance company’s commissioning of female creators, promoting women to leadership positions, and fostering a transparent and accountable culture as determined by a Dance Data Project survey.[3][28]
  • 2017—Texas Medal of Arts Award, Arts Education from the Texas Cultural Trust[29]
  • 2008—American Masterpiece Touring Artist, National Endowment for the Arts[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Arts Education. Texas Cultural Trust. https://txculturaltrust.org/bio/dallas-black-dance-theatre/
  2. ^ a b Gravley, Carly May (May 7, 2024). Dallas Just Voted 'Yes' on Investing $75.2 Million in Arts Facilities. Here's What's Next. Proposition E of the 2024 Capital Bond Program passed. What exactly does that mean for Dallas art and performance spaces? Dallas Observer. https://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/dallas-arts-spaces-to-receive-75-million-in-repairs-19304862
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Myong, Elizabeth (September 20, 2024). How Dallas Black Dance Theatre fired dancers in the clash of old and new school. The Dallas Morning News. https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/2024/09/20/how-dallas-black-dance-theatre-fired-dancers-in-the-clash-of-old-and-new-school/
  4. ^ a b c d e f History. Dallas Black Dance Theatre. https://dbdt.com/about/history/
  5. ^ a b Conference and Festival | History and Timeline. International Association of Blacks in Dance. https://www.iabdassociation.org/page/confest-history
  6. ^ The Future of Dallas Black Dance Theatre to continue to support capacity building. Mellon Foundation. March 22, 2024. https://www.mellon.org/grant-details/the-future-of-dallas-black-dance-theatre-20454456
  7. ^ a b History of Moorland YMCA. Dallas, Texas. Prepared by QuimbyMcCoy Preservation Architecture. February 18, 2008. https://dbdt.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/2700-Flora-Street.pdf
  8. ^ Bass, Kelvin, “It’s a deal – Dallas Black Dance Theatre closes on old Moorland YMCA building,” The Weekly, September 21, 1999, page 12.
  9. ^ Wolfe, Peggy, “Dallas Black Dance Theater Grabs a Piece of History,” BlackPressUSA.com.
  10. ^ Putnam, Margaret (October 8, 2006). “Dallas Black Dance Theatre Turns 30,” dallasnews.com.
  11. ^ Venue Rental. Dallas Black Dance Theatre. https://dbdt.com/facilities-rental/
  12. ^ Dallas City of Council Chamber. Resolution 180347. February 18, 2018. http://citysecretary2.dallascityhall.com/resolutions/2018/02-28-18/18-0347.pdf
  13. ^ a b c d e Mendoza, Manuel (September 27, 2018). Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s Melissa M. Young named artistic director after 25 years with company. Young is the long-running company’s fourth leader after a career as rehearsal director, dance academy director, associate artistic director and interim artistic director. The Dallas Morning News. https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/visual-arts/2018/09/27/dallas-black-dance-theatre-s-melissa-m-young-named-artistic-director-after-25-years-with-company/
  14. ^ Dallas 2024 Bond Propositions Approved by Voters. City of Dallas. https://www.dallascitynews.net/dallas-2024-bond-propositions-approved-by-voters
  15. ^ 2024 Bond / Proposition E: Cultural Arts Facilities. DALLAS BLACK DANCE THEATRE. Council District: 14. 2024 Dallas Bond. https://dallascityhall.com/departments/bond-construction-management/2024-Bond-Dashboard/Pages/project-detail.aspx?proj_id=1019966&name=Dallas+Black+Dance+Theatre
  16. ^ Final Report. USA Pavillion. Seville Expo '92
  17. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Making History. Dallas Black Dance Theatre. https://dbdt.com/making-history/
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Perron, Wendy ( January 24, 2012). Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Dance Magazine. https://www.dancemagazine.com/dallas-black-dance-theatre/#gsc.tab=0
  19. ^ a b c d e f g Press release. Dallas Black Dance Theatre Announces 2015-2016 | 39th Season: Vision Renewed. Dallas Black Dance Theatre. https://dbdt.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/DBDT_39th-Season-Announcement-Press-Release.pdf
  20. ^ a b Onsite Event: Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Leir Stage. August 4–8, 2021. Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. https://www.jacobspillow.org/events/dallas-black-dance-theatre-2021-leir-stage/
  21. ^ a b Dallas Black Dance Theatre. October 20–21, 2023. Aronoff Center for the Arts. https://www.mutualdance.org/archive/2023-2024/dbdt/
  22. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u Repertoire. Dallas Black Dance Theatre. https://dbdt.com/repertoire/
  23. ^ Porgy and Bess. Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Baltimore Sun. September 9, 1998.
  24. ^ a b Weeks, Jerome. April Berry Is No Longer Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s Director. Art and Seek. October 1, 2015. https://artandseek.org/2015/10/01/april-berry-is-no-longer-dallas-black-dance-theaters-director/
  25. ^ Nycole Ray. Artistic Director, DBDT: Encore! Dallas Black Dance Theatre. https://dbdt.com/dbdt-encore/artistic-director/
  26. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x DBDT Season Brochure, 2022-2023. Dallas Black Dance Theatre.
  27. ^ Gender Equity Index, Dance Data Project. https://www.dancedataproject.com/gender-equity-index/
  28. ^ 2017 Texas Medal of Arts Awards. Texas Cultural Trust. https://txculturaltrust.org/what-we-do/texas-medal-of-arts-awards-2023/honorees/
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