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Debbie Allen Headshot

Debbie Allen

Also Credited As: Deborah Allen

Birth Place: Houston, TX, USA

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BIO

For her vast body of work, Ms. Allen has earned three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, five NAACP Image Awards, a Drama Desk, an Astaire Award (for Best Dancer), and the Olivier Award. She holds four honorary Doctorate degrees and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was appointed by President George W. Bush to represent the United States as a Cultural Ambassador of Dance.


She has been artist in residence at the Kennedy Center for over 15 years, creating original works with the legendary Arturo Sandoval and James Ingram, such as: Pepito’s Story, Brothers of the Knight, Dreams, Alex in Wonderland, Soul Possessed, Pearl, Dancing in the Wings and Oman O Man. Her long list of directing and producing credits include television classics such as FAME, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, Jane the Virgin, Empire, A Different World, Everybody Hates Chris, Stompin’ At The Savoy, Polly, That’s So Raven, Cool Women, Quantum Leap, The Fantasia Barrino Story, and on stage, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof. She is currently Executive Produce/Director/Actress on ABC's Grey’s Anatomy.

Photos

STAGE CREDITS

Sweet Charity
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1986
Charity Hope Valentine
Charity
Louis
[Off-Off-Broadway]
Showcase, 1981
Performer
West Side Story
[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1980
Anita
Alice
[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 1978
Alice
Ain't Misbehavin'
[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1978
Performer 5 [Replacement]
Performer [Replacement]

Productions

Cat on a Hot Tin RoofCat on a Hot Tin Roof
 
[Broadway, 2008]
Director
Carrie
 
[Broadway, 1988]
Choreographer

Movies

Fame
[ 1980 ] Lydia
Ragtime
[ 1981 ] Sarah
Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling
[ 1986 ] Michelle
Mona Must Die
[ 1994 ] Betty
Blank Check
[ 1994 ] Yvonne
Out-of-Sync
[ 1995 ] Manicurist
Forget Paris
[ 1995 ] choreographer
Amistad
[ 1997 ] producer
Everything's Jake
[ 2000 ] Librarian
The Painting
[ 2001 ] Bertha Lee Gilmore
All About You
[ 2001 ] Ruth
Tournament of Dreams
[ 2007 ] Rhonda Dillins
Next Day Air
[ 2009 ] Ms. Jackson
A Star for Rose
[ 2013 ] Rose
A Jazzman's Blues
[ 2022 ] choreographer
A Motown Christmas
[ 2024 ] executive producer
Grey's Anatomy
[ 2024 ] executive producer
A Motown Christmas
[ 2024 ] executive producer
Grey's Anatomy
[ 2024 ] executive producer

TV Shows

A Different World
Dr. Langhorne, Debbie Allen
Everybody Hates Chris
Gun Woman, Mother
Fame
Lydia Grant, The Good Witch of the South
Grey's Anatomy
Dr. Catherine Avery
Happily Ever After: Fairy Tales for Every Child
Lola, Precious
In the House
Jackie Warren
S.W.A.T.
Charice Harrelson
The Love Boat
Reesa Marlowe, Selena Moore

Awards and Nominations


winner
Olivier Awards - 2010 - Best Revival

Debbie Allen, Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

Helen Hayes Awards - 2001 - Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production

Debbie AllenDreams


winner
Helen Hayes Awards - 1999 - Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production

Debbie AllenBrothers of the Knight

Tony Awards - 1986 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Debbie Allen , Sweet Charity


winner
Drama Desk Awards - 1980 - Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical

Debbie Allen, West Side Story

Tony Awards - 1980 - Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Debbie Allen, West Side Story

Videos

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News


Spotlight: SYNCOPATED LADIES at Hylton Performing Arts Center Photo
Spotlight: SYNCOPATED LADIES at Hylton Performing Arts Center
by BWW Special Offer - Mar 7, 2025

Founded by D.C.-native Chloé Arnold, an Emmy Award-nominated tap dancer and choreographer, and protégé of Golden Globe winner Debbie Allen, Syncopated Ladies LIVE is a spellbinding and inspirational all-female tap dance celebration of sisterhood, empowerment, rhythm, and joy.
EARTH TO SPACE Three-Week Festival is Coming to the Kennedy Center Photo
EARTH TO SPACE Three-Week Festival is Coming to the Kennedy Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 24, 2025

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present EARTH to SPACE: Arts Breaking the Sky, a three-week festival of live performances, films, art, interactive exhibits, and discussions designed. Learn more!
VIDEO: Debbie Allen Offers Free Dance Classes to LA Wildfire Victims Photo
VIDEO: Debbie Allen Offers Free Dance Classes to LA Wildfire Victims
by Joshua Wright - Feb 6, 2025

Legendary performer Debbie Allen hosts free dance classes for victims of the LA wildfires, aiming to uplift spirits with her initiative 'Dancing in the Light: Healing Through the Arts' at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy.
Jane Fonda To Host THE WALLIS DELIVERS: A BENEFIT EVENING TO SUPPORT WILDFIRE RECOVER Photo
Jane Fonda To Host THE WALLIS DELIVERS: A BENEFIT EVENING TO SUPPORT WILDFIRE RECOVERY
by A.A. Cristi - Feb 5, 2025

The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (The Wallis) will hold The Wallis Delivers: A Benefit Evening to Support Wildfire Recovery on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at The Wallis, beginning at 6:00pm. The event is hosted by actor, producer, author, and activist Jane Fonda.  
Photo: Debbie Allen Visits A WONDERFUL WORLD on Broadway Photo
Photo: Debbie Allen Visits A WONDERFUL WORLD on Broadway
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 4, 2025

See a photo of icon Debbie Allen visiting A Wonderful World: The Louis Armstrong Musical on Broadway! Learn more about the production and see how to purchase tickets.
Dallas Black Dance Theatre Welcomes New Interim Artistic Director, Richard A. Freeman Photo
Dallas Black Dance Theatre Welcomes New Interim Artistic Director, Richard A. Freeman, Jr.
by Stephi Wild - Jan 31, 2025

Dallas Black Dance Theatre's 48th season will continue under the leadership of Interim Artistic Director Richard A. Freeman, Jr., whose deep roots in American dance and relationship with DBDT spans nearly 20 years.
Video: Keke Palmer is 'Hoping' to Come to Broadway in FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN Photo
Video: Keke Palmer is 'Hoping' to Come to Broadway in FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN
by Stephi Wild - Jan 21, 2025

Keke Palmer revealed that she is 'hoping' to come to Broadway later this year in a production of Fetch Clay, Make Man. Learn more and watch the video clip here!
John Douglas Thompson To Be Honored At Red Bull Theater Benefit Photo
John Douglas Thompson To Be Honored At Red Bull Theater Benefit
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 15, 2025

Red Bull Theater has announced that John Douglas Thompson will be presented with the Matador Award for Extraordinary Achievement in Classical Theater at the Running of the Red Bulls Gala Benefit.
All Female Tap Dance Band The Syncopated Ladies Announced At Lied Center Photo
All Female Tap Dance Band The Syncopated Ladies Announced At Lied Center
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 10, 2025

The Syncopated Ladies will be at the Lied Center on Thursday, January 23 at 7:30pm. Syncopated Ladies is the high-octane, high-impact female tap dance band created by Emmy Award-nominated tap dancer and choreographer Chloe Arnold, protege of Debbie Allen.
Monthly Birthday Tribute: Take the Quiz! Photo
Monthly Birthday Tribute: Take the Quiz!
by Rob Lester - Jan 1, 2025

Take BWW Cabaret's monthly quiz and see how much you know about music stars born in January. If your New Year's Resolution is to learn more about music, here's a fun way to do that for New Year's.
Photos: Kerry Washington, Bradley Cooper, & More Attend THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT NYC Scre Photo
Photos: Kerry Washington, Bradley Cooper, & More Attend THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT NYC Screening
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 18, 2024

On December 16th, the cast and crew of Netflix's hit film The Six Triple Eight attended a New York Tastemaker event at the Crosby Hotel. The event featured Kerry Washington, Tyler Perry, Bradley Cooper, Jerry Seinfeld, Gayle King, Katie Couric and more in attendance. Take a look at photos here!
A 2024 Broadway Holiday Streaming Guide Photo
A 2024 Broadway Holiday Streaming Guide
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 17, 2024

From Sabrina Carpenter's new Christmas special to musical classics like Albert Finney's Scrooge, find out which holiday streaming titles will bring a Broadway fan some extra joy this year.
String Quartet Ethel Releases 'Persist' Album with Flutist Allison Loggins-Hull Photo
String Quartet Ethel Releases 'Persist' Album with Flutist Allison Loggins-Hull
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 6, 2024

Acclaimed string quartet ETHEL has released their eighth album Persist, for which the group reconvened with the dynamic flutist Allison Loggins-Hull. Listen to it here.
Photos: Ricky Martin Headlines AHF World AIDS Day Concert Photo
Photos: Ricky Martin Headlines AHF World AIDS Day Concert
by Josh Sharpe - Dec 3, 2024

Ricky Martin had a sold-out crowd on their feet as he headlined AIDS Healthcare Foundation’s annual World AIDS Day concert at the Watsco Center at the University of Miami (UM) in Coral Gables, Florida Monday night. Take a look at photos from the evening here!
Chita Rivera KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN Tony Award Fetches 70K at Bonham's Auction Photo
Chita Rivera KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN Tony Award Fetches 70K at Bonham's Auction
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 26, 2024

One-of-a-kind costumes, awards, photographs, and ephemera from the extraordinary career of Broadway legend Chita Rivera (1933-2024) were auctioned online at Bonhams this week.
Video: THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT New Trailer with Kerry Washington Photo
Video: THE SIX TRIPLE EIGHT New Trailer with Kerry Washington
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 25, 2024

Netflix has released a new trailer for Tyler Perry's The Six Triple Eight, starring Kerry Washington. The movie will hit the streamer on December 20, following a small theatrical release on December 6. Watch the trailer now.
Interview: Adrian Kohler’s Continually Bringing Life to the LIFE & TIMES OF MICHAEL Photo
Interview: Adrian Kohler’s Continually Bringing Life to the LIFE & TIMES OF MICHAEL K
by Gil Kaan - Nov 21, 2024

Read our interview with Adrian Kohler of the LIFE & TIMES OF MICHAEL K from The Tony Award-winning Handspring Puppet Company and the Baxter Theatre Centre.
Nevada Ballet Theatre Announces 41st ANNUAL BLACK & WHITE BALL Photo
Nevada Ballet Theatre Announces 41st ANNUAL BLACK & WHITE BALL
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 19, 2024

Nevada Ballet Theatre announced its 2025 Woman of the Year, recognizing a prominent figure for her contributions to the arts and community.
The Estate of Chita Rivera to be Auctioned at Bonhams Photo
The Estate of Chita Rivera to be Auctioned at Bonhams
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 14, 2024

One-of-a-kind costumes, awards, photographs, and ephemera from the extraordinary career of Broadway legend Chita Rivera (1933-2024) will be auctioned online at Bonhams.
Ricky Martin to Headline AHF World AIDS Day Concert Photo
Ricky Martin to Headline AHF World AIDS Day Concert
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 1, 2024

Global superstar Ricky Martin will headline the annual World AIDS Day concert, presented by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest nonprofit HIV/AIDS service provider. The event takes place on Monday, December 2, 2024 at the Watsco Center at the University of Miami (UM) in Coral Gables, Florida.
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How many Broadway shows has Debbie Allen been in?

Debbie Allen has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

How many West End shows has Debbie Allen been in?

Debbie Allen has not appeared in the West End.

What awards has Debbie Allen been nominated for?

Best Revival (Olivier Awards) for Cat On A Hot Tin Roof, Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Dreams, Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Brothers of the Knight, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Sweet Charity, Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for West Side Story and Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for West Side Story.

What awards has Debbie Allen won?

Debbie Allen has won several prestigious awards, including Best Revival at the Olivier Awards for Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. She received the Outstanding Choreography award for a Resident Production at the Helen Hayes Awards for Brothers of the Knight. Additionally, she won the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for West Side Story.

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