Carmen Lavallade American dancer, choreographer, and theater and film actress Date of Birth: 03.06.1931 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Training
2. Broadway and Beyond
3. Film and Television
4. Later Career and Recognition

Early Life and Training

Carmen De Lavallade, a prominent American dancer, choreographer, and actress, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 3, 1931. Raised in Los Angeles by her aunt, who owned the first African-American bookstore on Central Avenue, De Lavallade began ballet lessons at the age of 16. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School in Los Angeles, she joined the Lester Horton Dance Theater in 1949, where she remained a principal dancer until she relocated to New York in 1954.

Broadway and Beyond

De Lavallade's debut on the Broadway stage came in 1954, when she performed alongside Alvin Ailey in Truman Capote's musical "House of Flowers." In 1955, she married dancer and actor Geoffrey Holder, whom she met while working on "House of Flowers." The following year, De Lavallade became a prima ballerina in productions of "Samson and Delilah" and "Aida." She also made her television debut in John Butler's ballet "Flight" and appeared in Duke Ellington's television extravaganza "A Drum is a Woman" in 1957.

Film and Television

De Lavallade continued to perform in Broadway musicals, including "Othello" and "Death of a Salesman." She also pursued a film career, appearing alongside Dorothy Dandridge in "Carmen Jones" and with Harry Belafonte in "Odds Against Tomorrow."

Later Career and Recognition

Residing in New York with her husband, Geoffrey Holder, De Lavallade's story has been captured in the documentary film "Carmen and Geoffrey" by Linda Atkinson and Nick Doob. She has been honored with the Black History Month Award (2004), the Rosie Award (2006), the Bessie Award (2006), and the Capezio Dance Award (2007). In the same year, she was bestowed the Doctorate of Humane Letters.