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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
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]
Performer 5 [Replacement]
Performer [Replacement]

Productions

Joe Turner's Come and Gone
 
[Broadway, 2026]
Director
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
Grey's Anatomy
[ 2005-2025 ] executive producer

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


A DIFFERENT WORLD Sequel Series Begins Production; Jenifer Lewis & Charnele Brown Jo Photo
A DIFFERENT WORLD Sequel Series Begins Production; Jenifer Lewis & Charnele Brown Join Cast
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 26, 2026

Production has begun on Netflix’s sequel series of A Different World in Atlanta, Georgia, with original stars Jenifer Lewis and Charnele Brown now confirmed to star. The show will explore the lives and loves of a new generation at the iconic fictional HBCU.
Photos: JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE's Debbie Allen Celebrates Oscar Honor Photo
Photos: JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE's Debbie Allen Celebrates Oscar Honor
by Bruce Glikas - Feb 26, 2026

Tony Award-nominee Debbie Allen was recently honored with an Academy Honorary Award. An event was held to celebrate Allen's honor, featuring cast members from Joe Turner's Come and Gone, and more. Check out photos here!
Woodie King Jr. to Be Honored With Special Tribute at The Barrymore Theatre Photo
Woodie King Jr. to Be Honored With Special Tribute at The Barrymore Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 25, 2026

The life and legacy of Woodie King Jr. (1937–2026) will be honored at a special tribute at the Shubert Organization’s Barrymore Theatre.
A Complete History of RAGTIME Photo
A Complete History of RAGTIME
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Feb 8, 2026

The Broadway production of Ragtime was a glorious accomplishment, a riveting testament to the original American musical and to all that America itself could be. The show ran for 834 performances at the Ford Center, closing in the final year of the 20th century. It was nominated for 13 Tony Awards, taking home four.
Woodie King, Jr., Founder of New Federal Theatre, Passes Away at 88 Photo
Woodie King, Jr., Founder of New Federal Theatre, Passes Away at 88
by Gillian Blum - Jan 31, 2026

Producer, director, and New Federal Theatre founder Woodie King Jr. passed away at 88 on January 29 following complications from emergency heart surgery.
Taraji P. Henson, Thomas Schumacher to be Honored at BTC 2026 Gala Photo
Taraji P. Henson, Thomas Schumacher to be Honored at BTC 2026 Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 20, 2026

BTC will honor Academy Award-nominated Actor, Producer, Author Taraji P. Henson; Tony Award-winning Producer and Author Thomas Schumacher and more at their 2026 gala.
Dance Theatre of Harlem to Honor Fatima Robinson and Scott Mills at 2026 Gala Photo
Dance Theatre of Harlem to Honor Fatima Robinson and Scott Mills at 2026 Gala
by Stephi Wild - Jan 14, 2026

Dance Theatre of Harlem will honor choreographer Fatima Robinson and media executive Scott Mills at the 2026 Vision Gala, celebrating their contributions to arts and philanthropy.
What's Coming to Broadway in 2026: Upcoming Hits and Star Performances Photo
What's Coming to Broadway in 2026: Upcoming Hits and Star Performances
by Sidney Paterra - Jan 4, 2026

Check out a full list of what's to come on Broadway in 2026 including plays, musicals, revivals, new shows and of course - stars! Be sure to check back for updates. We have all of the details!
Twelve Days of Christmas: Kandi Burruss Photo
Twelve Days of Christmas: Kandi Burruss
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 18, 2025

The Stephen Sondheim Theatre stage is getting kandi koated this holiday season. The singer, songwriter, producer, and television icon Kandi Burruss just joined the Broadway cast of & Juliet. Kandi took a break from rehearsals to tell us about the music that puts her in the holiday spirit.
​​Debbie Allen Dance Academy To Present The 15th Annual HOT CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER Photo
​​Debbie Allen Dance Academy To Present The 15th Annual HOT CHOCOLATE NUTCRACKER
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 8, 2025

Emmy, Golden Globe and Honorary Oscar Award winner Debbie Allen brings her acclaimed holiday spectacular, the Debbie Allen Dance Academy (DADA)'s 15th Annual Hot Chocolate Nutcracker.
Maya Boyd, Abigail C. Onwunali and More Complete the Cast of JOE TURNER’S COME AND Photo
Maya Boyd, Abigail C. Onwunali and More Complete the Cast of JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 2, 2025

Maya Boyd, Abigail C. Onwunali, and Nimene Sierra Wureh will complete the cast for August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone which will play Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre.
Broadway Streaming Guide: Holidays 2025 - Where to Watch A VERY JONES CHRISTMAS MOVE Photo
Broadway Streaming Guide: Holidays 2025 - Where to Watch A VERY JONES CHRISTMAS MOVE & More
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 29, 2025

From the new Jonas Brothers Christmas special to musical classics like White Christmas, take a look here to find out which holiday streaming titles will bring a Broadway fan some extra joy this year.
Video: Debbie Allen Previews Broadway's JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE Photo
Video: Debbie Allen Previews Broadway's JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 25, 2025

Entertainment icon Debbie Allen, who is directing the forthcoming Broadway revival of Joe Turner's Come and Gone, recently visited Sherri to talk about her wide-spanning career. During the conversation, she previewed the new Broadway production and the August Wilson play shared how it came together. Watch the interview now.
Bradley Stryker, Tripp Taylor, and More Join JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE Photo
Bradley Stryker, Tripp Taylor, and More Join JOE TURNER'S COME AND GONE
by Stephi Wild - Nov 24, 2025

Additional casting has been announced for August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone which will play Broadway's Barrymore Theatre. Learn more about the cast here!
Photos: Inside the 2025 Academy’s Governors Awards with Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Lop Photo
Photos: Inside the 2025 Academy’s Governors Awards with Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Lopez & More
by Josh Sharpe - Nov 17, 2025

On November 16, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences celebrated the Academy’s 16th Governors Awards in Hollywood, with attendees that included Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jennifer Lopez, Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, and more. Take a look at photos here.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 11, 2025- THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES Opens On Broadw Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld November 11, 2025- THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES Opens On Broadway and More
by - Nov 11, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is November 11, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Debbie Allen to Direct MAYA ANGELOU, PHENOMENAL WOMAN Photo
Debbie Allen to Direct MAYA ANGELOU, PHENOMENAL WOMAN
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 10, 2025

Debbie Allen will direct Angelica Chéri’s Phenomenal Woman, Maya Angelou—a play with music that will be the first and only stage production about the iconic figure.
Richard A. Freeman, Jr. Named Artistic Director Of Dallas Black Dance Theatre Photo
Richard A. Freeman, Jr. Named Artistic Director Of Dallas Black Dance Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Nov 3, 2025

The Board of Directors of Dallas Black Dance Theatre have announced the appointment of Richard A. Freeman, Jr. as Artistic Director. Learn more about him here!
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 30, 2025- LIBERATION Opens On Broadway and More Photo
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld October 30, 2025- LIBERATION Opens On Broadway and More
by - Oct 30, 2025

Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is October 30, 2025 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE Will Play Broadway's Barrymore Theatre Photo
JOE TURNER’S COME AND GONE Will Play Broadway's Barrymore Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Oct 29, 2025

August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, starring Taraji P. Henson and Cedric “The Entertainer” and directed by Debbie Allen, will play Broadway’s Barrymore Theatre.
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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 the Best Revival award at the Olivier Awards for Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. She also received the Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production award at the Helen Hayes Awards for Brothers of the Knight, and the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical award at the Drama Desk Awards for West Side Story.

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