Williams, Ann Marie (Annie Marie Ferrell)
1937- · Contribution: 1968-2014
Dancer & Company Founder
Founded the Dallas Black Dance Theatre in 1976, the oldest continuously operating dance company in Dallas and one of the largest African American dance troupes in the country; studied directly under Arthur Mitchell, already profiled in this collection
Portraits are AI-generated interpretations, not photographs.
Quick facts
- Born
- 1937
- Active since
- 1974
- Category
- Arts, Music & Entertainment Tech
- Best known for
- Founded Dallas Black Dance TheatreDallas's oldest dance companyFirst Black M.A. in dance from TWU
Impact on the world
Williams built a major dance institution from a community academy for children who couldn't afford lessons, carrying the lineage of Ailey and Mitchell to Texas. She created lasting opportunity for Black dancers.
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Sources
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Related visionaries
Robinson, Cleo Parker
1948-
Founded the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble in 1970, building it into a major Denver-based dance institution now in its sixth decade; studied directly under Katherine Dunham and Arthur Mitchell, already profiled in this collection
Washington, Lula
1949-
Founded the Lula Washington Dance Theatre in 1980, building it into one of the most respected African American contemporary dance companies in the Western United States; choreographed for the films 'Avatar' and 'The Little Mermaid'
Mitchell, Arthur
1934-2018
First African American principal dancer at a major ballet company; founded Dance Theatre of Harlem in 1969, the first major Black classical ballet company in the United States
Ailey, Alvin Jr.
1931-1989
Founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958, creating a lasting home for Black dancers and choreographing 'Revelations,' one of the most performed ballets in the world