Editing Debbie Allen (section)

==Career==
===1970–1981: Early works===
Allen began her career appearing on [[Broadway theatre]]. Allen had her [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] debut in the chorus of ''[[Purlie]]'' in 1970.<ref name=tonyaw>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/debbie-allen-1014#Credits|title=Debbie Allen – Broadway Cast & Staff &#124; IBDB|website=www.ibdb.com|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=November 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191101154839/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-cast-staff/debbie-allen-1014#Credits|url-status=live}}</ref> She later created the role of Beneatha in the Tony Award-winning musical ''[[Raisin (musical)|Raisin]]'' (1973), and appeared in ''Truckload'', and ''[[Ain't Misbehavin' (musical)|Ain't Misbehavin']]''. In 1980, she received critical attention for her performance as Anita in the Broadway revival of ''[[West Side Story (musical)|West Side Story]]'' which earned her a [[Tony Award]] nomination for [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical|Best Featured Actress in a Musical]] and won her a [[Drama Desk Award]].<ref name=tonyaw/>

In 1976, Allen made her television debut appearing in the CBS sitcom ''[[Good Times]]'' in a memorable 2-part episode titled "J.J.'s Fiancée" as J.J.'s drug-addicted fiancée, Diana. The following year, she went to star in the NBC variety show ''[[3 Girls 3]]''.<ref name="3girlsnytimes1">O'Connor, John J. (March 30, 1977). [https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/30/archives/tv-its-instant-stardom-for-3-girls-3.html TV: It's Instant Stardom for '3 Girls 3'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200820181237/https://www.nytimes.com/1977/03/30/archives/tv-its-instant-stardom-for-3-girls-3.html |date=August 20, 2020 }}, ''[[The New York Times]]''</ref> Allen later was selected to appear in the 1979 miniseries ''[[Roots: The Next Generations]]'' by [[Alex Haley]] where she plays the wife of Haley. Also, that year, she made her big screen debut appearing in a supporting role in the comedy film ''[[The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh]]''. In 1981, she had the important role of Sarah in the [[Ragtime (film)|movie version]] of the best-selling novel ''[[Ragtime (novel)|Ragtime]]'', a role that earned [[Audra McDonald]] a Tony Award for in the Broadway musical.
[[File:Uitbundige groep met ondermeer Danny (Carlo Imperato) (l), Debbie Allen (m) en, Bestanddeelnr 932-5469.jpg|thumb|250px|{{center|With [[The Kids from "Fame"]] (1983). Debbie Allen is center, with sunglasses on top of her head.}}]]

===1982–1987: ''Fame''===
{{see also|The Kids from "Fame"}}
In the film [[Fame (1980 film)|''Fame'']] (1980), Allen played the role of Lydia Grant. Though the film role was relatively small, Lydia became a central figure in the [[Fame (1982 TV series)|television adaptation]], which ran from 1982 to 1987. During the opening montage of each episode, Grant told her students: "You've got big dreams? You want fame? Well, fame costs. And right here is where you start paying ... in sweat." Allen was nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series|Emmy Award for Best Actress]] four times during the show's run.<ref name=emmys/> She is the only actress to have appeared in all three screen incarnations of ''Fame'', playing Lydia Grant in both the 1980 film and 1982 television series and playing the school principal in the [[Fame (2009 film)|2009 remake]]. Allen was also lead choreographer for the film and television series, winning two [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography]] and one [[Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Musical or Comedy]].<ref name="auto"/> She became the first Black woman to win a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Television Series—Musical or Comedy.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.becauseofthemwecan.com/blogs/botwc-firsts/34-years-ago-debbie-allen-took-home-a-golden-globe|title=34 Years Ago Debbie Allen Took Home a Golden Globe|website=BOTWC|date=January 8, 2017|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729072416/https://www.becauseofthemwecan.com/blogs/botwc-firsts/34-years-ago-debbie-allen-took-home-a-golden-globe|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 1986, Allen received a second Tony Award nomination, at that time for [[Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical|Best Actress in a Musical]], for her performance in the title role of [[Bob Fosse]]'s ''[[Sweet Charity]]''.<ref name=tonyaw/> Also that year, she had a supporting role in the comedy-drama film ''[[Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling]]'' directed, produced by and starring [[Richard Pryor]].

===1988–present===
After ''Fame'', Allen focused on working off-camera and as a choreographer. She choreographed the 1988 Broadway adaptation of Stephen King's “Carrie.” ''[[Carrie (musical)|Carrie]]'' was a collaboration with her fellow “Fame” alumni Michael Gore, Dean Pitchford, and Gene Anthony Ray. The show opened to mixed reviews and closed after only 16 previews and 5 performances.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Carrie – Broadway Musical – Original {{!}} IBDB |url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/carrie-4508 |access-date=July 31, 2023 |website=www.ibdb.com |archive-date=July 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230731130753/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/carrie-4508 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== A Different World ====

In an article from the [[Museum of Broadcast Communications]], ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' commented on Allen's impact as the producer-director of the television series, ''[[A Different World]]''. The show dealt with the lives of students at the fictional [[historically black colleges and universities|historically black college]], Hillman. The show ran for six seasons on [[NBC]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/differentwor/differentwor.htm |title=A Different World- U.S. Situation Comedy |publisher=Museum.tv |author=Darnell Hunt |access-date=April 12, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210085528/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/differentwor/differentwor.htm |archive-date=February 10, 2006 |author-link=Darnell Hunt }}</ref> ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' is quoted as stating that when Debbie Allen became the producer (and usually director) of ''A Different World'' after the first season, she transformed it "from a bland ''Cosby'' spin-off into a lively, socially responsible, ensemble situation comedy."<ref name="museum">{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/differentwor/differentwor.htm |title=A Different World |publisher=The Museum of Broadcast Communications |encyclopedia=Encyclopedia of Television |access-date=November 11, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060210085528/http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/D/htmlD/differentwor/differentwor.htm |archive-date=February 10, 2006 }}</ref> She directed a total of 83 episodes.

[[File:Debbie Allen 1998.jpg|thumb|Allen at the [[Kennedy Center]] in 1998]]

==== Singing and choreographing ====

Allen has released two solo albums, ''Sweet Charity'' (1986) and  ''Special Look'' (1989), which also produced several singles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmusic.com/album/special-look-mw0000205693|title=Special Look - Debbie Allen &#124; Songs, Reviews, Credits|website=AllMusic|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729040517/https://www.allmusic.com/album/special-look-mw0000205693|url-status=live}}</ref> Also that year, she directed musical film ''[[Polly (film)|Polly]]''. She later directed crime drama film ''[[Out-of-Sync]]'' (1995) as well as a number of television films. She choreographed ''The [[Academy Award]]s Show'' for ten years, six of which were consecutive. In 1995, Allen directed the voice cast and lent her voice to the children's animated series ''[[C Bear and Jamal]]'' for [[Film Roman]] and [[Fox Kids]]. That same year, she starred in the NBC sitcom ''[[In the House (TV series)|In the House]]'' which ran for five seasons. She co-produced the 1997 [[Steven Spielberg]] historical drama film ''[[Amistad (film)|Amistad]]'' receiving a [[Producers Guild of America Award]].

==== Debbie Allen Dance Academy and <i>So You Think You Can Dance</i> ====

In 2001, Allen founded the Debbie Allen Dance Academy, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.<ref name="deLuna2019" /> Since 2007, Allen has participated as a judge and mentor for the U.S. version of ''[[So You Think You Can Dance (American TV series)|So You Think You Can Dance]]''. During Season 4, she stepped aside as a judge at the end of Vegas week to avoid perception of bias, since one of her former dancers, Will, had made it to the top 20.

==== <i>Cat on a Hot Tin Roof</i> ====

In 2008, Allen directed the all-[[African-American]] Broadway production of [[Tennessee Williams]]' [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning [[drama]] ''[[Cat on a Hot Tin Roof]]'', starring stage veterans [[James Earl Jones]] (Big Daddy), her sister [[Phylicia Rashad]] (Big Mama) and [[Anika Noni Rose]] (Maggie the Cat), as well as film actor [[Terrence Howard]], who made his Broadway debut as Brick. The production, with some roles recast, had a limited run (2009 – April 2010) in London.<ref>Michael Billington (December 2, 2009) [https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/dec/02/cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof-billington "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171201043636/https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/dec/02/cat-on-a-hot-tin-roof-billington |date=December 1, 2017 }}, ''The Guardian''</ref> She also directed and starred in the 2001 play and its television adaptation ''The Old Settler''.

==== Television director and <i>Grey's Anatomy</i> ====

In 2000s and 2010s, Allen directed television shows, including 44 episodes of ''[[All of Us]]'', as well as ''[[Girlfriends (2000 TV series)|Girlfriends]]'', ''[[Everybody Hates Chris]]'', ''[[How to Get Away with Murder]]'', ''[[Empire (2015 TV series)|Empire]]'', ''[[Scandal (American TV series)|Scandal]]'' and ''[[Jane the Virgin]]''. In 2011, she joined the cast of ABC medical drama ''[[Grey's Anatomy]]'' playing the role of Dr. Catherine Fox. As of the 12th season, she served as an executive producer.<ref name="auto1"/> In 2020, she directed the musical film ''[[Christmas on the Square]]'' starring [[Dolly Parton]] for Netflix.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/dolly-parton-is-releasing-a-brand-new-christmas-musical-this-december/ar-BB10O30N|title=Dolly Parton Is Releasing a BRAND-NEW Christmas Musical This December!|website=www.msn.com|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729050231/https://www.msn.com/en-us/music/news/dolly-parton-is-releasing-a-brand-new-christmas-musical-this-december/ar-BB10O30N|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.southernliving.com/news/dolly-parton-new-christmas-movie-netflix-next-winter|title=Dolly Parton Is Releasing a New Christmas Movie Next Winter on Netflix|website=Southern Living|access-date=March 9, 2020|archive-date=July 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200729040757/https://www.southernliving.com/news/dolly-parton-new-christmas-movie-netflix-next-winter|url-status=live}}</ref>