Dallas Black Dance Theatre Performance

All Hill Dance Academy Theatre levels and families are invited to participate

Founded in 1976 by Ann Williams, 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.

DBDT is the ninth-largest contemporary modern dance company in the U.S.  Located in the thriving downtown Dallas Arts District, DBDT has performed worldwide for over 4.5 million arts patrons and 2.7 million students in 31 states and 16 countries on five continents. The performances include two Olympics (1996 & 2012), the nation’s most prestigious venues (Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Broadway, Jacob’s Pillow), and for such luminaries as Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and South African President Nelson Mandela. Since the pandemic began in 2020, DBDT performances have also been viewed virtually in over 30 countries.

Dallas Black Dance Theatre is the oldest, continuously operating professional dance company in Dallas. Under the direction of the Artistic Director, Melissa M. Young, the contemporary company, consists of 14 professional, full-time dancers performing a mixed repertory of modern, ballet, jazz, and ethnic works by nationally and internationally known choreographers.

Under the direction of Executive Director, Zenetta Drew, a professional, administrative staff of 12 full-time employees is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the company. Ms. Drew also works with a 50-member Board of Directors, whose primary responsibilities are fundraising and fiduciary oversight.

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.

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 was designated as an American Masterpiece Touring Artist in 2008 by the National Endowment for the Arts and 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. In August 2021, Dallas Black Dance Theatre made its Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival debut. LIKE WATER by the award-winning choreographer Darrell Grand Moultrie was commissioned by Jacob’s Pillow as the inaugural recipient of the Joan B. Hunter New Work Commission.

Dallas Black Dance Theatre is a resident company member of the AT&T Performing Arts Center – Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre.