Debbie Allen

Debbie Allen grew up in a well-known family. With her mother being a prized writer, and her sister in the Cosby Show, Allen was bound to join a world of fame as well. Born in Texas, she attempted to pursue dance at the Houston Foundation for Ballet. However, she was unwanted at the school (believed to be for race reasons) and decided to take matters into her own hands. Instead, she decided to learn dance with a ballet dancer, and ultimately moved to Mexico City. There, she had the opportunity of dancing with a Ballet called “Nacional de Mexico.” Shortly after her experience there, Debbie believed it was in her best interest to audition for the Houston Foundation for Ballet once again. This time it was a great success because she was not only accepted, but also received a full scholarship and beat segregation by being the first black to dance at the school by 1964.

Growing up in segregation, Allen frequently battled in throughout her youth trying to pursue dance. Because of the great remarks and praises she was receiving at school, she decided to audition for the North Carolina School of the Arts. Rejected for her un-ballet like body, she was absolutely devastated. In fact, she was so devastated that upon graduating from high school she had lost her desire and confidence in dance. She enrolled at Howard University and instead of dance, received her BA in Greek literature, speech, and theater. However, upon finishing school and moving to New York, her earning for dance and theater returned.

From here her career skyrocketed. Her debut was in Purlie, and then the musical Raisin. She was there for two years until where she paused on her big works for a bit. However that didn’t go on long because following these shows, she was on Broadway for the musical Guys and Dolls, in the series Good Times and The Love Boat, and the movie Midnight Special. She also appeared in Ain't Misbehavin', and choreographed The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh.

In 1980 Allen was getting big....