Award-Winning Dancer & Founder, The Debbie Allen Dance Academy
Debbie Allen: Biography at a Glance
- In a career that spans three decades, the name Debbie Allen is synonymous with dynamic energy, creative talent, and innovation.
- For her vast body of work, Ms. Allen has earned three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, five NAACP Image Awards, a Drama Desk, and the first Astaire Award (for Best Dancer). Her production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on London’s West End won the Olivier Award.
- She holds four honorary Doctorate degrees and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was appointed by President George W. Bush to represent the United States as a Cultural Ambassador of Dance.
- She has been an artist in residence at the Kennedy Center for over 15 years, writing and directing original works with the legendary Arturo Sandoval and James Ingram, such as Pepito’s Story, Brothers of the Knight, Dreams, Alex in Wonderland, Soul Possessed, Pearl, Dancing in the Wings, Oman O Man, and Freeze Frame… Stop the Madness. Her stage credits also include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (on Broadway and London’s West End).
Biography
In a career that spans three decades, the name Debbie Allen is synonymous with dynamic energy, creative talent, and innovation. For her vast body of work, Ms. Allen has earned three Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe, five NAACP Image Awards, a Drama Desk, and the first Astaire Award (for Best Dancer). Her production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof on London’s West End won the Olivier Award. She holds four honorary Doctorate degrees and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was appointed by President George W. Bush to represent the United States as a Cultural Ambassador of Dance. She has been an artist in residence at the Kennedy Center for over 15 years, writing and directing original works with the legendary Arturo Sandoval and James Ingram, such as Pepito’s Story, Brothers of the Knight, Dreams, Alex in Wonderland, Soul Possessed, Pearl, Dancing in the Wings, Oman O Man, and Freeze Frame… Stop the Madness. Her stage credits also include Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (on Broadway and London’s West End).
Her long list of directing and producing credits include television classics such as Fame, Grey’s Anatomy (where she also recurs as Dr. Catherine Avery), Scandal, How To Get Away With Murder, Jane the Virgin, Empire, Insecure, A Different World, Everybody Hates Chris, Stompin’ At The Savoy, Polly, That’s So Raven, Cool Women, Quantum Leap, The Fantasia Barrino Story, and Christmas on the Square. She is currently the Executive Producing Director for Grey’s Anatomy on its 18th season.
Ms. Allen was the creative force behind Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated epic, Amistad. She holds the distinction of choreographing the Academy Awards ten times. She is influenced by the legendary artists who directed and trained her, among them: Katherine Dunham, Alvin Ailey, Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Donald McKayle, Gil Cates, Alan Johnson, Derek Walcott, Twyla Tharp, Tatiana Semenova, Louis Johnson, Jo Jo Smith, Mike Malone, Gerald Freedman, Henry LeTang, Willie Covan, Patsy Swayze and George Faison.
Ms. Allen has directed and choreographed such legendary artists as Lena Horne, Sammy Davis Jr., Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Will Smith, James Earl Jones, Phylicia Rashad, Gregory Peck, Mariah Carey, Queen Latifah, Dolly Parton, and Savion Glover. With her keen eye for talent, Ms. Allen discovered entertainers such as Jada Pinkett Smith, Gary Dourdan, and Jasmine Guy. She was responsible for giving Mia Michaels her first job choreographing for television, on Cool Women.
A true devotee of Arts Education for young people, she has trained some of the most dynamic and recognized talents in the industry - Vivian Nixon, William Wingfield, Jada Grace Gordy, Taylour Paige, Dion Watson, Kylie Jefferson, Wayne Mackins, Chase Maxwell, Danny Tidwell, Corbin Bleu, and Hannah Blake. Her recent Shondaland production of Dance Dreams: Hot Chocolate Nutcracker on Netflix tells the true and inspiring story of what she does to enlighten, inspire and engage young people around the world through dance and theater arts.
In 2001, she and her husband Norman Nixon founded the nonprofit Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles. The school’s mission is to fill a void for youth who inhabit the spirit of dance and need the opportunity to discover what is possible. A native of Houston, Texas, she is the daughter of poet Vivian Ayers and Dr. Andrew A. Allen, wife of NBA All-Star Norman Nixon, sister of Phylicia Rashad, Tex Allen and Hugh Allen, mother of Vivian Nichole and Thump, and grandmother of Shiloh and Aviah.
FAQs
How do I book Debbie Allen for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Debbie Allen to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Debbie Allen's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Debbie Allen’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Debbie Allen in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Debbie Allen's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Debbie Allen's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Debbie Allen, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Debbie Allen's speaking fee?
Debbie Allen's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Debbie Allen's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Debbie Allen's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Debbie Allen as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Debbie Allen as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Debbie Allen's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Debbie Allen's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Debbie Allen for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Debbie Allen speaking engagements.
Official contact for Debbie Allen bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/debbie-allen
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Debbie Allen.
Is Debbie Allen available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Debbie Allen speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Debbie Allen's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Debbie Allen's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Debbie Allen's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Debbie Allen for?
Book Debbie Allen for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Debbie Allen customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Debbie Allen engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Debbie Allen can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Debbie Allen booking information and availability
Check Debbie Allen's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Debbie Allen for your preferred event date.
Book Debbie Allen keynote speaker through CAA
Book Debbie Allen through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Debbie Allen, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Debbie Allen's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Debbie Allen for your next event.
Will Debbie Allen speak at private events?
Yes, Debbie Allen speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Debbie Allen's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Debbie Allen?
CAA Speakers responds to Debbie Allen booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Debbie Allen?
Book Debbie Allen 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Debbie Allen pricing information?
Get Debbie Allen pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.