in the spotlight DallasBlackDanceTheatre’s newArtisticDirector has big plans for theOrganization’s Future NEW MANDATE byKatieDravenstott A


prilBerrymay have been at her newposition asDallasBlack Dance Theatre’sArtisticDirector for only a fewweeks now, but she already considersDBDT and the city ofDallas home. “I love


the food here and the people are really friendly.And the newArts District is simply incredible.”


Ever sinceDBDT’s founder and former artistic director,AnnWilliams, announced her retirement plans lastMay the question on everyone’s mind has beenwho the organizationwas going to find to fill her shoes. Mind you, these shoes have done a lot ofwalking over the past 40 years turning a community-based, semi-professional organization into a fully-professional dance company known throughout the country for its athletic, expressive style and rich cultural diversity.


Berry herself says, “I don’t think anyone can ever fill her shoes. She has a strong presence in the community and across the country. Iwould say that I amfollowing in her footsteps.”Berry andWilliam’s rapport actu- ally goes back almost 20 years. “Ms.Williams and I have known each other for a very long time. Imet her early on inmy dance careerwith AlvinAileyAmericanDance Theater.” (In addition toAiley,Berry has alsoworkedwith renowned chorographers,KatherineDunham, Talley Beatty, Judith Jamison,ArthurMitchell andBill T. Jones.) “We have also had a long association through the InternationalAssociation of Blacks inDance organization and conference.”


Berry says thatWilliams came to her about the job position.At the time Berrywas teachingmodern dance and improvisation at theUniversity ofNorthCarolina-Charlotte. Shewas also a teaching artist in the CharlotteArts and ScienceCouncil’sEducation Programandworked as a freelance choreographer. She is also the founder ofArts ‘n Community, an agency dedicated to providing specialized services to small and emerging arts organizations in theU.S.


When asked if itwas difficult to switch fromthe academia side to the business side she says no itwasn’t. “Formost ofmy career I have worked behind the scenes in the administration sectors of arts’ organi- zations and ballet companies so, I amvery familiarwith the day-to-day activities.And before I became a professor I spent 21 yearsworking with two different dance companies, one inOhio and one inCharlotte, NorthCarolina.”


WhileWilliams can still be seenwalking through the hallways of the building,Berry says she has given over the reins to her and she has big plansmoving forward.Hermain focuswill be increasing the organiza- tion’s visibility both nationally and internationally. “Iwant us to be present at some of the largermodern dance festivals and also tourmore internationallywhile continuing to provide regional and local perform- ances.”Berrywill also be focusing very heavily on the infrastructure of the academy. “By restructuring the academywewant to create access formore children to be able to take classes here.We alsowant to give thema training syllabus that can allowthemtomove up in ranks here, whether that’s to the ensemble, second company ormain company so we can have home-grown, local talent in our companies.”


TheDallas dance communitywould likely sayBerry hits it right on the head:WhileDallas does a great job cultivating dancers,we can’t get themto stay once they are ready to embark on a professional career.


DANCE!NORTHTEXAS a publication of the dance council of north texas vol. 17 • no. 4 www.thedancecouncil.org Nov-Jan 2015 page 5


Pictured:AprilBerry


Finally,we are starting to see a shift in this equation andBerry ismore than ready to do her part. “Iwant tomakeDBDT the place to be for dancers aswell as for choreographers fromaround theworld to come andwork. That ismy bigmandate.”


KatieDravenstott is a freelancewriter and dance instructor inDallas.Visit her blog atwww.kddance.wordpress.com/


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