Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) is the oldest continuously operating dance company in Dallas, Texas. 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
Dallas Black Dance Theatre (DBDT) was founded by Ann Williams in 1976.Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Arts Education. Texas Cultural Trust. https://txculturaltrust.org/bio/dallas-black-dance-theatre/ Originally located on the campus of Bishop College, DBDT received a 1988 gift from Lucy Crow Billingsley for access to a 13,000 square-foot building on Flora Street in Dallas.THUMBS UP: A Space In Time For The Dallas Black Dance Theater. D Magazine. November 1, 1988. The company has grown through the years to include two, professional modern dance companies (DBDT and DBDT: Encore!, established in 2000) and a dance school with three student ensembles.Dallas Black Dance Theatre Celebrates African American Dance Masters In A Virtual Performance Featuring The Work Of Matthew Rushing, Associate Artistic Director Of The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Garland Journal. October 13, 2020. https://garlandjournal.com/4164/arts-entertainment/dallas-black-dance-theatre-celebrates-african-american-dance-masters-in-a-virtual-performance-featuring-the-work-of-matthew-rushing-associate-artistic-director-of-the-alvin-ailey-american-dance-theat/
DBDT is a member of The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD).Conference and Festival | History and Timeline. International Association of Blacks in Dance. https://www.iabdassociation.org/page/confest-history In 1993, 1997, 2000, 2008, 2014, and 2017, DBDT hosted the IABD annual conference. In 2024, DBDT received a three-year grant from the Mellon Foundation to support institutional capacity building.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
In May 2024, DBDT company dancers voted to join the American Guild of Musical Artists (AGMA), a labor union.Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Case: 16-RC-341886. National Labor Relations Board. https://www.nlrb.gov/case/16-RC-341886Curts, Rosemary (September 12, 2024). Dallas Black Dancers Fight for Their Union. Labor Notes. https://labornotes.org/blogs/2024/09/dallas-black-dancers-fight-their-union In August 2024, DBDT terminated the employment contract for its main company dancers.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/ To protest the terminations, supporters of the fired DBDT dancers marched outside of DBDT’s building. On August 12, 2024, AGMA issued a Do Not Work Order for DBDT.AGMA Issues Do Not Work Order for Dallas Black Dance Theatre. AGMA. August 12, 2024. https://www.musicalartists.org/agma-issues-do-not-work-order-for-dallas-black-dance-theatre/ On October 29, 2024, DBDT leadership met with AGMA representatives to discuss settling the employment issues pending against them before the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and reinstating the terminated dancers.AGMA Update Regarding DBDT. AGMA. October 29, 2024. https://www.musicalartists.org/agma-update-regarding-dbdt/Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Case: 16-CA-347632. National Labor Relations Board. https://www.nlrb.gov/case/16-CA-347632NLRB Prepares to Issue a Complaint Against Dallas Black Dance Theatre with Nearly 20 Allegations of Unlawful Conduct. AGMA. October 28, 2024. https://www.musicalartists.org/nlrb-prepares-to-issue-a-complaint-against-dallas-black-dance-theatre/ In November 2024, NLRB filed a formal complaint against DBDT.Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Cases: 16-CA-347632,16-CA-347638, 16-CA-343777. National Labor Relations Board. https://www.nlrb.gov/case/16-CA-343777BREAKING: The NLRB Issues Complaint Against DBDT. AGMA. November 4, 2024. https://www.musicalartists.org/nlrb-issues-complaint-against-dbdt/Myong, Elizabeth (Nov. 5, 2024). NLRB files complaint against Dallas Black Dance, sets hearing date. Dallas Morning News. https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/2024/11/05/nlrb-files-complaint-against-dallas-black-dance-sets-hearing-date/ On December 8, 2024, DBDT announced a settlement with the AGMA and approved by NLRB. Union Relations. Dallas Black Dance Theatre. The fired DBDT dancers: Gillian Clifford, Micah Isaiah, Sierra Jones, Elijah Lancaster, Dominiq Luckie, Derick McKoy, Jr., Terrell Rogers, Nile Ruff, Brianne Sellars, and Sean J. Smith, and the three dancers who were not offered employment for the 2024-2025 season, will receive more than $560,000 in back pay, front pay, and damages from DBDT.Myong, Elizabeth (December 9, 2024). Dallas Black Dance Theatre to pay over $560,000 to dancers in settlement with NLRB. KERA. As part of the settlement, DBDT must send apology letters to the affected dancers, publish a multi-page notice explaining DBDT current employees’ rights, and work with NLRB employment training representatives to ensure that DBDT is compliant with the AGMA settlement and NLRB agreement. On December 11, 2024, the Dallas City Council voted 11-4 to cut $248,335 in city funding that was recommended for DBDT, and to redistribute that money to other arts organizations in Dallas.Brown, Lori (December 11, 2024). City council pulls Dallas Black Dance Theatre's $250,000 grant over firing controversy. FOX 4.Myong, Elizabeth (December 11, 2024). Dallas City Council cuts next year’s funding to Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Dallas Morning News.Snyder, Rachel (December 11, 2024). Dallas City Council cuts $248-k plus to Dallas Black Dance Theatre for next year. MSN
Dallas Black Dance Academy DBDT's official school, Dallas Black Dance Academy, was founded in 1973.History. Dallas Black Dance Theatre. https://dbdt.com/about/history/ The academy is the only modern dance company of color in the nation certified to teach the American Ballet Theatre (ABT) National Training Curriculum.Dance News USA (May 31, 2023). Dallas Black Dance Academy produces disciplined professionals over 50 years. Dance Informa Digital Magazine. https://danceinforma.us/blog/dallas-black-dance-academy-produces-disciplined-professionals-over-50-years The school features three performing ensembles: Allegro Performing Ensemble, Junior Performing Ensemble, and Senior Performing Ensemble.
Academy alumni include: actress Liz Mikel, writer and producer Wendy Calhoun,Wendy Calhoun. Storyteller, Writer and Producer. https://www.wendycalhoun.com and dancers who have had careers with Boston Ballet, DBDT, Hofesh Shechter, Hubbard Street Dance, and New York City Ballet.
DBDT Building DBDT’s dance studios, school, meeting spaces, and administrative offices are located at 2700 Flora Street, Dallas, a 32,000 square foot building that housed the former Moorland YMCA,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.pdfBass, Kelvin, “It’s a deal – Dallas Black Dance Theatre closes on old Moorland YMCA building,” The Weekly, September 21, 1999, page 12.Wolfe, Peggy, “Dallas Black Dance Theater Grabs a Piece of History,” BlackPressUSA.com.Putnam, Margaret (October 8, 2006). “Dallas Black Dance Theatre Turns 30,” dallasnews.com. which DBDT acquired in 1999. In 2002, DBDT launched a capital campaign that raised $10.8 millionDallas Black Dance Theatre established a fund with CFT to make continued giving easy for donors. Communities Foundation of Texas. https://cftexas.org/about-cft/impact-stories/choreographing-a-campaign-dallas-black-dance-theatre-works-to-secure-its-financial-future/ to purchase and renovate the building.Schutze, Jim (May 30, 2013). For the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, a Cold Shoulder from ATTPAC. Dallas Observer. https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/for-the-dallas-black-dance-theatre-a-cold-shoulder-from-attpac-6429811Quinn, Emily (December 29, 2004). Dallas Black Dance Theatre Steps Up Fundraising for New Building. Dallas Morning News. https://playbill.com/article/dallas-black-dance-theatre-steps-up-fundraising-for-new-buildingExxonMobil Supports Dallas Troupe. Convenience Store News. August 16, 2002. https://csnews.com/exxonmobil-supports-dallas-troupe In 2003, a City of Dallas-approved bond referendum awarded more than three million dollars 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."Dallas City of Council Chamber. Resolution 180347. February 18, 2018. http://citysecretary2.dallascityhall.com/resolutions/2018/02-28-18/18-0347.pdf
In 2005, DBDT donated its building to the City of Dallas,Inspector General Division City Attorney’s Office. Review of DBDT Dancer Terminations. City of Dallas, Texas. https://interactive.wfaa.com/pdfs/Dallas-Black-Dance-Theatre-Report.pdf the city's first-owned facility for dance.Dallas Black Dance Theatre. Touring Kit. 2012–2013–2014 | 36th Season: A Season of Commissioned Work. Booking Dance. https://www.bookingdance.com/DBDT_TouringKit_2012-2013.pdf In exchange for its gift to the city, DBDT received a forty-year building lease with an annual base rent of ten dollars.Collier, Marlissa (September 2, 2024). Union Busting Scandal Rocks Dallas Black Dance Theatre & Energizes Nationwide Creative Labor Movement. Dallas Weekly. https://dallasweekly.com/2024/09/union-busting-scandal-rocks-dallas-black-dance-theatre-energizes-nationwide-creative-labor-movement/ In addition, DBDT receives an annual allocation of $170,000 for maintenance and management of a city-owned facility.Office of Cultural Affairs. Long-Term Facility Agreements. City of Dallas. https://dallascityhall.com/departments/arts-culture/Pages/Facilities-Long-Term-Agreements.aspx
In 2014, the 2700 block of Flora Street was renamed "Ann Williams Way" in honor of DBDT’s founder and artistic director’s career.