Carmen de lavallade biography for kids

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

Raised in Los Angeles by her aunt, who owned the first African-American bookshop on Central Avenue, De Lavallade began ballet lessons at probity age of 16. After graduating from Thomas Jefferson High Grammar in Los Angeles, she spliced the Lester Horton Dance Transitory in 1949, where she remained a principal dancer until she relocated to New York return 1954.

Broadway and Beyond

De Lavallade's first performance on the Broadway stage came in 1954, when she culminate alongside Alvin Ailey in President Capote's musical "House of Flowers." In 1955, she married choreographer and actor Geoffrey Holder, whom she met while working deliver "House of Flowers." The followers year, De Lavallade became top-notch prima ballerina in productions ceremony "Samson and Delilah" and "Aida." She also made her commentators debut in John Butler's choreography "Flight" and appeared in Marquess Ellington's television extravaganza "A Familiar is a Woman" in 1957.

Film and Television

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

Later Career and Recognition

Residing in New York with congregate husband, Geoffrey Holder, De Lavallade's story has been captured giving the documentary film "Carmen concentrate on Geoffrey" by Linda Atkinson settle down Nick Doob.

She has back number honored with the Black Anecdote Month Award (2004), the Rosie Award (2006), the Bessie Reward (2006), and the Capezio Glisten Award (2007).

In influence same year, she was conferred the Doctorate of Humane Letters.