1974
The 46-year old Dallas Black Dance Academy, founded in 1974, is the official school of Dallas Black Dance Theatre and offers classes (three levels each) in ballet, jazz, tap and other dance disciplines for ages 4 and up. DBDT’s academy offers classes four evenings per week and Saturdays during the school year and summer. The academy trains 550+ students per week in year-round classes at the DBDT Studios.
1976
Dallas Black Dance Theatre was founded by Ms. Ann Williams.
View Ms. Williams bio below.Â
Dallas Black Dance Theatre is the oldest, continuously operating professional dance company in Dallas.
The mission of Dallas Black Dance Theatre is to create and produce contemporary modern dance at its highest level of artistic excellence through performances and educational programs that bridge cultures and reach diverse communities. With an ever-expanding national and global audience, the company employs a diverse, multi-ethnic troupe of dancers performing for audiences of all ages and backgrounds.
Company
Under the direction of the Artistic Director, Melissa M. Young, the contemporary company, consists of 12 professional, full-time dancers performing a mixed repertory of modern, ballet, jazz, and ethnic works by nationally and internationally known choreographers. Over the course of its history, DBDT has performed for 4 million arts patrons and 2.6 million children worldwide (40,000 annually youth grades K–12).
2000
To keep up with demand and continue to serve its local community, Ann Williams formed DBDT: Encore! (formerly DBDT II), the second performing company of Dallas Black Dance Theatre, in 2000.
Company
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This company consists of eight classically trained and highly-skilled artists from around the nation. Since its inception, Encore! has grown in popularity and thrilled audiences with its fresh allure. Encore! annually hosts their season performing in the Moody Performance Hall (formerly Dallas City Performance Hall).
2008
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Moving to the Dallas Arts District continues the legacy of founder, Ann Williams. In January 2008, 2700 Flora Street, the historic, prior residence of the Moorland YMCA became the first permanent home for DBDT’s rehearsal studios, training classrooms, and administrative offices.
2014
In October of 2014, the 2700 block of Flora Street was officially renamed Ann Williams Way in honor of the lifelong work of Williams.
Dallas Black Dance Theatre is proud to be the recipient of the coveted 2017 Texas Medal of Arts award for opening doors for artistic & educational opportunity for Texans of all ages, from the Texas Cultural Trust, February 2017.
2017
Dallas Black Dance Theatre is proud to be the recipient of the coveted 2017 Texas Medal of Arts award for opening doors for artistic & educational opportunity for Texans of all ages, from the Texas Cultural Trust, February 2017.
2021
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