Dancers of the Dallas Black Dance Theater. Photo courtesy of DBDT.com
Dallas Black Dance Theater (Dallas, Texas)
The Dallas Black Dance Theater, established in 1976 by Ann Williams, was created to encourage minority boys and girls to express their creativity through dance and the arts. It began as a community-based semi-professional organization but has since grown into a fully professional dance company. According to DBDT.com, the theater is known for its “its rich cultural diversity, history of inclusion, and high-level of artistic excellence in contemporary modern dance and educational programs.” The company has performed in 31 states and 14 countries including Peru, Austria, Japan, Italy, Canada, Great Britain, Uganda and South Africa.
The Philadelphia Dance Company. Photo courtesy of StAugustine.com
PHILADANCO (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) –
Founded by Joan Myers Brown in 1970, the Philadelphia Dance Company, also known as PHILADANCO, was formed to provide opportunities for Black dancers, who were often systematically barred from joining local dance schools. The troupe has blossomed into a professional dance company and is rooted in the principles of “providing opportunity, inclusion and hope” to dancers of color. PHILADANCO performs sold-out shows nationally and internationally for audiences of diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.