There’s been a longstanding cultural divide at the company. Both the company and dancers say they are trying to uphold DBDT’s rich heritage and legacy, but...
Dancers say the company has lost sight of its founding principle to be a safe space for Black dancers. Management says it’s trying to uphold its standard of excellence.From left, Sean J. Smith, Terrell Rogers, Gillian Clifford, Nile Ruff, and Elijah Lancaster, dancers who were recently fired from Dallas Black Dance Theatre, pose for a photo at Arts Mission Oak Cliff in Dallas.When Dallas Black Dance Theatre was founded in 1976, there were no smartphones. There was no Internet.
“I feel like for Dallas Black, there’s this idea that somehow we have to rid ourselves of anything that would even remotely remind white people specifically of a bad example of what Black people look like,” he said.Arts Access spoke to five of the dancers who were fired from the dance company earlier this year to understand their view of the work environment. We also sent interview requests to company management multiple times, which were declined.
It reminds dancer Elijah Lancaster, who was also fired, of the time he received an infraction notice for wearing a bandana on his head to a company meeting. Company policy states dancers are not allowed to wear “head rags” to class. However, it doesn’t list other spaces but Lancaster received an infraction notice.
“I’m sure it’s another way to intimidate people,” he said. “You better make sure that you’re on your stuff because going to be like, we can let you go like this. I think it’s all about control.” Nile Ruff, one of the fired dancers, said what’s happened at Dallas Black has been “disheartening.” She grew up knowing about the company and its important history.“It was started by a Black woman, and started by a Black woman in the American South during a time when Black people were not respected and it created a space for Black dancers,” she said.
One policy says dancers can be fired for “negative comments external to the organization about staff, dancers, Board or company” or “producing or publishing false, vicious, or malicious statements concerning any employee, supervisor, or Dallas Black Dance Theatre or its operation.” Another says, “All personal problems and grievances are to be discussed privately with an appropriate staff member.”
James Fuller, a spokesperson for Dallas Black Dance Theatre, said one reason dancers were fired was because of an Instagram video introducing themselves to the sitcom themeThere was some little bit of lewd behavior in the view of our community, a little bit too far for what we represent here,” he said.
Additionally, Willis said the dance company was allocated $3.1 million as a cultural facility through the 2024 bond program, and Dallas’ Office of Arts and Culture has annual contracts with Dallas Black, which totaled over $240,000 in the last year.“There have been some concerning allegations, so it’s important to have an objective examination of the situation.
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