Does Dallas Have a Professional Ballet?
The answer is yes. The city of Dallas is home to the professional ballet company, Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT).
Founded in 1976 by Ann Williams, DBDT is the oldest continuously-operating professional African American dance company in the United States. The company provides classical and contemporary dance performances and educational programming throughout the country and abroad.
DBDT offers a wide range of traditional ballet performances, including Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, Romeo and Juliet, Giselle, Sleeping Beauty, and Don Quixote. In addition to these classical works, DBDT performs new works by contemporary choreographers such as Debra Brown, Donald McKayle, Arthur Mitchell, Alonzo King and others.
The company also offers educational programs for students of all ages. These programs include master classes for adults and youth; summer intensive workshops; student matinees; outreach activities; a Lecture Demonstration Series; and professional development workshops for teachers. All of these activities are designed to help promote appreciation of dance as an art form among people of all ages.
The Dallas Black Dance Theatre has toured extensively throughout the United States and internationally to countries such as France, Germany, Russia, South Africa and Australia. The company has also made appearances at some of the world’s most prestigious venues including Carnegie Hall in New York City; The Kennedy Center in Washington DC; Lincoln Center in New York City; The Royal Festival Hall in London; The John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington DC; Sadler’s Wells Theater in London; and Teatro Olimpico in Rome.
The Dallas Black Dance Theatre is committed to providing quality performing arts experiences while inspiring appreciation of the art form through its performance series throughout North Texas and beyond. With its extensive repertoire from traditional ballets to new works from contemporary choreographers, DBDT brings excitement to audiences both young and old alike with its exceptional performances that showcase African American history and culture through dance.
Conclusion:
The answer is yes – Dallas does have a professional ballet company! Founded in 1976 by Ann Williams, Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) is an internationally renowned professional African American dance company that offers classical ballet performances as well as educational programming throughout North Texas and beyond that promotes appreciation of the art form among people of all ages!