Dallas Black Dance Theatre

Founded in 1976 by Ann Williams and currently under the direction of Richard A. Freeman, Jr., Dallas Black Dance Theatre positively impacts lives and bridges cultures through the transformative power of dance from an African American perspective. As the largest and oldest professional dance company in Dallas, DBDT is the fourth-largest Black dance company in the nation and among the 10 largest contemporary modern dance companies and 50 largest ballet companies in the U.S. Touring has reached numerous Texas cities, 32 states, and 16 countries. Audiences have watched virtually in 35 states and 45 countries. DBDT’s main professional company (12 dancers) and second professional company DBDT: Encore! (10 dancers), provide a variety of performance types and fee ranges to accommodate audiences of all sizes and ages. The company’s repertoire is broad, from masterworks by nationally and internationally renowned choreographers to today's most talented emerging artists. Dance styles include modern, ballet, jazz, African, and tap. Multidisciplinary works incorporate various dance styles, projected images, and speaking/singing roles for the dancers. Multicultural collaborations authentically unite communities by reflecting America’s rich cultural landscape. Student matinees include a TEKS-aligned educational study guide. DBDT received the Texas Medal of the Arts Award for Arts Education in 2017. Photo by Brian Guilliaux.