Editing Debbie Allen (section)

===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.}}]]