Debbie Allen Headshot

Debbie Allen

Also Credited As: Deborah Allen

Date of Birth: January 16, 1950 (73)

Birth Place: Houston, TX, USA

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Debbie Allen 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.

Debbie Allen Photos

Debbie Allen STAGE CREDITS

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1986
Charity Hope Valentine

Charity

[Off-Off-Broadway]
Showcase, 1981
Performer

[Broadway]
Broadway Revival, 1980
Anita

[Broadway]
Closed on the road, 1978
Alice

[Broadway]
Original Broadway Production, 1978
Performer 5 [Replacement]

Performer [Replacement]

Debbie Allen Productions

 
[Broadway, 2008]
Director
 
[Broadway, 1988]
Choreographer

Debbie Allen Movies

[1980]Fame Lydia

[1981]Ragtime Sarah

[1986]Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling Michelle

[1994]Mona Must Die Betty

[1994]Blank Check Yvonne

[1995]Out-of-Sync Manicurist

[1995]Forget Paris choreographer

[1997]Amistad producer

[2000]Everything's Jake Librarian

[2001]The Painting Bertha Lee Gilmore

[2001]All About You Ruth

[2007]Tournament of Dreams Rhonda Dillins

[2009]Next Day Air Ms. Jackson

[2013]A Star for Rose Rose

[2022]A Jazzman's Blues choreographer


Debbie Allen 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

Debbie Allen Videos

Debbie Allen News

THE WIZARD OF OZ Comes to Musical Theatre West Next Month

Known for its Broadway-caliber productions, Musical Theatre West (MTW), Long Beach’s premier theatre company, will debut its summer musical, The Wizard Of Oz.

Full Cast Set for SUMMER: THE DONNA SUMMER MUSICAL at The Gateway Playhouse

SUMMER: The Donna Summer Musical begins rehearsals and will run at The Gateway Playhouse from June 16 – July 16, 2023, to continue the 74th season.

THE BEAR's Edwin Lee Gibson To Star In Center Theatre's Group's New Production FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN

2022 Golden Globe nominee and Obie Award winner Edwin Lee Gibson (The Bear) will star as Stephin Fetchit (a stage name for Lincoln Perry) in Will Power's Fetch Clay, Make Man at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City, California via the Centre Theatre Group and LeBron James' The SpringHill Company.

Ray Fisher to Reprise Role as Muhammad Ali in FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN at Center Theatre Group

Drama Desk nominee Ray Fisher will put his gloves on again to play the role of heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali in Will Power’s “Fetch Clay, Make Man,” after previously performing the role Off-Broadway.

Debbie Allen To Pay Tribute To Class Of 2023 Film Directors At The 30th Annual 'Sista's Are Doin' It For Themselves Short Film Showcase'

Debbie Allen, critically acclaimed director, producer, and choreographer will be a special guest at upcoming, 30th annual 'Sista's Are Doin' It For Themselves' Short Film Showcase Opening Night Celebration, May 19th at 7:30pm.

Debbie Allen to Direct FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN at Center Theatre Group

Center Theatre Group will work alongside The SpringHill Company’s Emmy Award-winning studio team to bring Will Power’s “Fetch Clay, Make Man” to the Kirk Douglas Theatre in June. Learn how to purchase tickets!

Boston Conservatory At Berklee To Honor Cynthia Erivo And Awadagin Pratt At Commencement Ceremony

Boston Conservatory at Berklee Interim Executive Director Lucinda Carver will present an honorary doctorate in person to acclaimed concert pianist Awadagin Pratt and virtually to Emmy-, Grammy-, and Tony-winning actress, singer, author, and producer Cynthia Erivo at the Conservatory's commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 13.

New Federal Theatre to Present TELLING TALES OUT OF SCHOOL in May

New Federal Theatre will present 'Telling Tales Out of School,' a new play by Wesley Brown, from May 2 to 7 as a work in progress at Castillo Theatre/ASP.

Feature: Coming Home Full Circle With Chita Rivera

It was a like coming home with Chita Rivera full circle and approaching a kind of comfortable closure when I attended the Signature Theatre’s Sondheim Award Gala 2023 honoring the Broadway legend Chita Rivera at the Italian Embassy in Washington. DC.  The iconic legend of theatrical music and dance (What a dancer she is!) was feted with the prestigious award from Signature Theatre and a warm response from a very “Chita-friendly” roster of performers and an audience of patrons, fans and supporters. (Rivera has also won about every award in the book including two Tony Awards, a special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Kennedy Center Honor).

The Cleveland Orchestra To Premiere Allison Loggins-Hull's 'Can You See?'

 On Thursday, May 4, 2023 at 7:30pm and Saturday, May 6, 2023 at 8:00pm, The Cleveland Orchestra will present the world premiere of flutist, composer, and producer Allison Loggins-Hull’s Can You See? at Mandel Concert Hall in Severance Music Center.

Brian Jordan Jr. Will Helm THE WIZ at True Colors Theatre

Brian Jordan Jr., who stars as Maurice Web on the hit BET series 'Sistas,” will direct and choreograph a brand new production of the Tony Award-winning musical, The Wiz at True Colors Theatre Company (915 New Hope Road, Atlanta, GA 30331).

INTO THE WOOD's Ta'Nika Gibson Takes Over Our Instagram Today!

Tune in to our Instagram story as Ta'Nika Gibson takes you behind the scenes of Into the Woods as they make their way to cities across the U.S. - starting with The Kennedy Center in D.C.!

LADY DAY AT EMERSON'S BAR AND GRILL Adds Two Weeks to Run at Mercury Theater

Mercury Theater has extended the run of Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, directed by Christopher Chase Carter and Alexis J. Roston, written by Lanie Robertson, and starring Alexis J. Roston as Billie Holiday.

The Best Movies About Plays and Backstage Stories

Whether it’s a musical, drama, horror, or comedy, BroadwayWorld is pulling back the curtain on some of the best movies about backstage stories!

Fredi Walker-Browne to Star in RAISIN the Musical at Axelrod Performing Arts Center

To mark the 50th anniversary of its 1973 premiere on Broadway, the Axelrod Performing Arts Center will present the musical Raisin, starring Fredi Walker-Browne. See how to purchase tickets!

INSECURE Joins OWN Network's Tuesday Night Schedule

Starring NAACP Image Award winner and eight-time Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award nominee Issa Rae, “Insecure” explores the Black female experience through best friends Issa (Rae) and Molly (Yvonne Orji), who must deal with their own flaws. The series also stars Jay Ellis, Natasha Rothwell and Amanda Seales.

VIDEO: Debbie Allen Appears on THE JENNIFER HUDSON SHOW

The Debbie Allen Middle School founder recalls her extreme preparation for her acting and directing roles on “Grey’s Anatomy.”  Plus, Debbie shares her dream of directing an opera and how she ended up twerking onstage with Patti LaBelle, which caused her son to stop talking to her for a week out of embarrassment. Watch videos from the episode now!

Carnegie Hall to Present YMusic In Premieres By Allison Loggins-Hull And Andrew Norman

On Thursday, January 19, 2023 at 7:30pm in Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall, yMusic will perform the world premiere of Allison Loggins-Hull's Supply, inspired by addictive relationships, and the New York premiere of former Carnegie Hall Debs Composer's Chair (2020/2021) Andrew Norman's Difference, both co-commissioned by Carnegie Hall.

Video: Go Inside the Belasco As AIN'T NO MO' Announces Its Broadway Extension!

Jordan E. Cooper, the youngest Black American playwright on Broadway, has announced that the history-making and critically-acclaimed Broadway production of Ain’t No Mo’, presented by Lee Daniels, will extend through Friday, December 23, 2022 at the Belasco Theatre.

Debbie Allen FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Debbie Allen has appeared on Broadway in 4 shows.

Debbie Allen has not appeared in the West End

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 .

Best Revival (Olivier Awards) for Cat On A Hot Tin Roof Outstanding Choreography, Resident Production (Helen Hayes Awards) for Brothers of the Knightand Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical (Drama Desk Awards) for West Side Story.

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