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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
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

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

More Videos

News


POLLY: THE MUSICAL in Development With Debbie Allen, Lena Waithe and More Photo
POLLY: THE MUSICAL in Development With Debbie Allen, Lena Waithe and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 4, 2025

Polly: The Musical, a new Broadway-bound production based on the Disney television movie, is currently in development, with teleplay by William Blinn and the novel by Eleanor H. Porter. Learn more!
Dances With Films: LA 2025 Announces Film Lineup With 255 Films And 36 World Premiere Photo
Dances With Films: LA 2025 Announces Film Lineup With 255 Films And 36 World Premieres
by A.A. Cristi - May 22, 2025

Dances With Films: LA has announced the film lineup for next month's return of Los Angeles' largest indie film-focused film festival (June 19-29) for its 28th edition.
Tania León And Kelli O'Hara To Be Honored At Boston Conservatory At Berklee's Commen Photo
Tania León And Kelli O'Hara To Be Honored At Boston Conservatory At Berklee's Commencement Ceremony
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 6, 2025

Boston Conservatory at Berklee Executive Director Michael Shinn will present honorary doctorates to Pulitzer Prize-winning composer Tania León and Tony Award-winning actress and singer Kelli O'Hara. Learn more!
Feature: The Muny and Broadway Honor the Life of the Legendary Ken Page Photo
Feature: The Muny and Broadway Honor the Life of the Legendary Ken Page
by James Lindhorst - Apr 12, 2025

Celebrities, family, friends, and members of the community gathered in St. Louis on Friday evening to celebrate the life of the late Ken Page. The celebration, hosted and produced by The Muny, was held in the packed-to-capacity Sheldon Concert Hall. 
Photos: Stars Honor James Earl Jones at Memorial Event Photo
Photos: Stars Honor James Earl Jones at Memorial Event
by Bruce Glikas - Apr 9, 2025

On April 7, 2025, stars of the stage and screen gathered to honor the life of the late James Earl Jones at the James Earl Jones Theatre on Broadway. Check out photos here!
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.
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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 (Olivier Awards) for Cat On A Hot Tin Roof. She also received the Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Brothers of the Knight and was honored with the Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for West Side Story.

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