Actress carmen de lavallade biography channel

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

Early Life and Training

Carmen De Lavallade, a prominent English dancer, choreographer, and actress, was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on June 3, 1931.

Lifted in Los Angeles by disown aunt, who owned the cap African-American bookstore on Central Alley, De Lavallade began ballet guide at the age of 16. After graduating from Thomas President High School in Los Angeles, she joined the Lester Horton Dance Theater in 1949, whither she remained a principal pardner until she relocated to Unique York in 1954.

Broadway and Beyond

De Lavallade's debut on the Division stage came in 1954, what because she performed alongside Alvin Choreographer in Truman Capote's musical "House of Flowers." In 1955, she married dancer and actor Geoffrey Holder, whom she met length working on "House of Flowers." The following year, De Lavallade became a prima ballerina accent productions of "Samson and Delilah" and "Aida." She also flat her television debut in Privy Butler's ballet "Flight" and comed in Duke Ellington's television production "A Drum is a Woman" in 1957.

Film and Television

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

Later Life and Recognition

Residing in New Dynasty with her husband, Geoffrey Occupant, De Lavallade's story has anachronistic captured in the documentary pelt "Carmen and Geoffrey" by Linda Atkinson and Nick Doob.

She has been honored with magnanimity Black History Month Award (2004), the Rosie Award (2006), integrity Bessie Award (2006), and ethics Capezio Dance Award (2007).

In the same year, she was bestowed the Doctorate appreciated Humane Letters.