DBDT appointed April Berry as its new artistic director.
Dallas Black Dance Theater announced the appointment of April Berry, a former principal dancer, as its new artistic director. Berry will be only DBDT’s second leader. Founding director Ann Williams retired in May after 37 years of leading the company.
Berry’s a well-known figure in the dance world, having studied under “the matriarch of black dance” Katherine Dunham, according to art & seek. “Berry is one of only a handful of Dunham ‘masters,’ certified to teach the ‘Dunham technique.”
She ran her mentor’s namesake company, has toured around the world with Ailey and taught at multiple universities. She also contributed choreography to Debbie Allen’s The Chocolate Nutcracker. Allen, in collaboration with Imagination Celebration Fort Worth, hosts an annual summer dance institute in Fort Worth.
Berry will begin Sept. 4. Williams plans to help Berry in the company’s transition.
