Dallas Black Dance Theatre

In art, the color black is the inclusion of all colors. While our artistic programming is from an African American perspective, Dallas Black Dance Theatre is dedicated to bridging all cultures and reaching diverse communities. Our Artistic Director, Melissa M. Young, is Honduran American interested in presenting choreographic opportunities that reflect America's rich cultural landscape and unite people from diverse backgrounds. Repertoire includes several works that intersect cultures, including an international collaboration between DBDT dancer and choreographer Claude Alexander III and North Macedonian guitarist Toni Kitanovski. The new work, The Wave of Clave, highlighted African American and Romani cultures. 

Black is inclusive of ALL colors. 

Dance is for everyone and an essential part of the community. Regardless of race, age, or circumstance, we want you to see YOURSELF at DBDT!

Dallas Black Dance Theatre is a nationally recognized professional dance company that has performed worldwide for 4.5 million arts patrons and 2.7 million students. The company's key initiatives include stunning professional dance concert performances in person and virtually; In 2020, Dallas Black Dance Theatre became the first dance company to implement paid virtual performances to remain operational. (including a home season in Dallas), inspiring arts-in-education programs, inclusive community outreach activities, and dance training classes at a nationally competitive standard. In 2022 DBDT was selected as the Best Dance Company in Dallas by D Magazine.  

DBDT is the largest and oldest professional dance company in Dallas and the 4th largest Black dance company in the nation. The professional company consists of 12 full-time salaried, multi-ethnic dancers performing a mixed repertory of contemporary, modern, jazz, ballet, ethnic, and spiritual works by local, national, and international choreographers worldwide. DBDT's professional training company (DBDT: Encore!) was created in 2000 to fulfill the growing demand for performances, touring, and outreach and is comprised of 8 college-educated artistic interns. 

Dallas Black Dance Academy offers year-round classes taught by dancers from DBDT's two professional companies in ballet, tap, modern, jazz, and ethnic dances to more than 550 students weekly. In 2017, DBDT received the Texas Medal of Arts for arts education, the highest honor for an arts organization in the state. 

DBDT has partnered with arts organizations throughout Dallas, including Dallas Symphony Orchestra, The Dallas Opera, Dallas Museum of Art, Dallas Theater Center, Nasher Sculpture Center, TITAS, Bruce Wood Dance, and Dark Circles Contemporary Dance.

OUR NEEDS

Contributions are needed to support general operating needs for DBDT's 46th Season, including dancers' salaries, support for live and on-demand streaming, low-cost Academy tuition for aspiring dancers, and outreach classes at North Texas Title I Schools. Help DBDT reach its goal of $50,000 in honor of our 46th Season!